More Productive Than Ever Atlas Manufacturing boosts business with help from GAP funds.

In the last six months, business has been booming for Atlas Manufacturing. "We've never been busier in the history of Atlas," says John Peterson, President of the Minneapolis-based precision sheet metal manufacturer.

Atlas hosted Congressman Keith Ellison last week to talk about how turning to lean process improvement during the recession has helped the company become more efficient and add capacity. 

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Speedy Deliveries

In an unassuming Minneapolis warehouse, brake press operators form doors that will enclose a computer worthy of NASA scientists. Sparks fly as expert welders fuse together the casing for a 3-D modeling machine. Nearby, workers in the paint area spray finishing touches on the shell for an electronic highway message sign. From cash door fronts to retail displays, electrical box components to the metal parts of a milling machine, if it’s made of metal, chances are it can be made by Atlas Manufacturing. 

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No Dark Days Here

Friendship is serious business at Atlas Manufacturing.

Atlas keeps a rigorous schedule, during the economic downturn, the company never changed its production schedule. On Fridays last summer and fall, when other companies would shut down or operate with a skeleton crew, Atlas kept its pace. It was business as usual. And since January 2009 they have been running three shift s, seven days a week. “We run when everyone else is dark,” said Mark. It was a bold move. But it worked. There is something about a company that keeps moving forward, even during challenging economic times, that lures new business. 

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Going Vertical

Continuous operation is achieved through a new automated material handling system, optimizing high-speed laser cutting and punching operations.  Atlas has installed a twin tower Stopa TKL automated material storage and retrieval system.  Reaching seventeen feet high and containing 39 storage positions, this custom configuration was designed by Trumpf automation engineers to effortlessly move raw material to the punching or laser cutting machines.  Capable of storing 250,000 pounds of raw material, the tower interacts with the machine when material demand is required.  Through sophisticated software and material carts, sheets of raw material can move from the tower to the punch or laser.  Because of the unique features of this system, punched sheets can move through the cart system to the laser where they are precision located on Trumpf’s first 2030 laser with precision sheet locating.  Punching and laser cutting are performed 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Announcing the launch of a NEW automated flat sheet laser cutting system

Atlas has been using laser cutters since 1993 and now has entered the third generation of technology since installing their first laser.  Laser cutting technology continues to evolve as new sources are developed for beam generation and delivery.  The evolution has resulted in improved cut quality and speed.

What matters the most are the cost and quality of the cut.  Everything else is marketing and packaging.  Our customers are concerned about delivered cost of a high quality part.  Using a comprehensive 22 point evaluation system and time studies of 4 different part nests, 10 different laser models were rigorously analyzed.  The result; A Trumpf laser was selected as the best match to our customers needs.

Over the next six months, Atlas is installing a fully automated 40 shelf tower system with material handling carts that will deliver flat sheet to either the high speed TruPunch 5000 punching machine or the laser.  Cut or punched parts are automatically removed from the machines during continuous processing of flat sheets. This investment allows Atlas to run 24 x 7 continuously processing sheet into punched or laser cuts parts.

Announcing capability for unique kiosk development and production

Atlas has developed a team of designers for customized engineering and production of kiosks. Capabilities include unique materials and finishes along with single or multiple touch screens. Completely fabricated, finished, and assembled on-site, Atlas is a turn-key solution for kiosk development and production. Table top, pedestal, and large footprint multi-monitor designs are conceived by working closely with the client to determine the correct form factor and eye catching presentation that conveys and markets client messages or print solutions.

Atlas is now open 7 days a week

Sure times are lean and production demand is lower than 2008's record pace. To secure business in these challenging times, you need your suppliers to respond with a sense of urgency. In reality, customers now need precision sheet metal parts with shorter lead-times than ever before. Responding to the aggressive needs of your customers requires our every day and instant sheet metal fabrication capacity. Our specialized workforce is now fabricating metal every day of the week. Our goal is to deliver more product faster than ever before with the same commitment to quality.