Lauren Manufacturing Smart Solutions: March 2009

Mar. 19, 2009

Lauren Adds New Waterjet Cutting Machine to Facility

 Lauren has announced the addition of a new WardJet D-55 waterjet cutting machine into its facility. This addition expands Lauren's capabilities in cutting irregular shaped rubber, plastic and metal parts as well as glass, marble and granite. The machine will serve a great purpose in generating high-quality, yet cost-effective prototypes for existing and prospective customers.

“We are very excited about expanding our capabilities with this machine,” said Chuck Laney, President of Lauren AgriSystems. “The waterjet will allow us to make irregular shapes with a high degree of accuracy out of a variety of materials. Our speed to market will be accelerated giving us more ability to support our customer's custom design needs. Our design and manufacturing engineers will be able to rapidly try ideas and make changes to get projects completed,” said Laney. “Adding this machine will trigger growth and opportunity for us,” added Laney.

The WardJet D-55 can cut steel, aluminum, stone, plastics, composites, glass, ceramics, rubber and a myriad of other materials— all up to 10 in. thick with no heat-affected zone while attaining manufacturing precision and superior edge quality. This machine extends Lauren's existing core of fabrication and machining offerings. 

Lauren Introduces New Low Density EPDM Sponge for Continuous Extrusion Profiles

 Lauren has developed a new low density closed-cell EPDM sponge product for continuously extruded profiles. The compound is capable of maintaining a 6-8 pound per cubic foot density. The material can be processed through both LCM salt bath and microwave/hot air extrusion lines.

This new material provides high performance for applications requiring excellent UV and ozone resistance. “Profiles extruded from this material not only have a reduction in overall weight compared to other similar ASTM D1056 2A2 sponge compounds but also has a great cosmetic surface and cell structure”, said Lauren Mfg. President Lisa Huntsman.

The material offers enhanced sealing properties for applications requiring low closing forces and intricate shape maintenance in both small and large cross-sections. In addition, a variety of adhesive systems also bond very well with this new compound. “This technology greatly increases Lauren's capability with regard to the type and size of profile we're able to produce and offer current and potential clients,” added Huntsman.

The development of the low density EPDM sponge emphasizes Lauren's position in the industry as “problem solvers, solution providers”. Lauren continues to support new technology that offers innovative solutions and customer advantages in a challenging business climate. 

Stepping It Up: Lauren Mfg Emphasizes Continuous Improvement

In previous economic downturns, quality improvement programs frequently became the first casualties of corporate belt-tightening. However, a recent trend suggests manufacturing companies are responding to the economy with a renewed emphasis on quality and improvement. Lauren Manufacturing is one of these companies.

Lauren is constantly evaluating and improving its customer valued processes. This continuous improvement has become widely adopted by Lauren employees not just in quality, but business and project management as well. The successful implementation of the Kaizen approach has improved the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself. Using tactical elements such as feedback, efficiency and evolution Lauren has optimized production and delivery of orders.

“These successful initiatives have helped us eliminate waste and reduce variability,” said George Wilson, Vice President of Operations. “By making projects more efficient, we're able to take a more aggressive approach to quality improvement”. “In tough times, this is more important than ever,” said Wilson.

By using this downturn as an opportunity to improve quality, Lauren will have an even brighter future when the economy recovers.

Lauren Mfg. currently holds the following certifications: