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’ s Armament Company competition . Maintaining a continued transitional labor force has been challenging . As a manufacturer , we must stay current and relative with workforce requirements .” For many years , KAC has worked with educators on programs that build a talented local and national workforce , including the establishment and promotion of apprenticeship programs for automation , robotics , and AM , which brings numerous manufacturing companies and government agencies together . “ To stay competitive and retake the lead in global industry ,” Reed adds , “ the American public and American industrial base need to invest in this qualified workforce .”

Knowing the company needs to stay relevant and current with manufacturing processes , KAC dipped its toes into AM with one machine : a Renishaw AM250 single laser machine , later adding a Renishaw AM500Q . “ I

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Scan here for more information was concerned the cost of the AM method would not be practical and anticipated high volume would be needed to justify the investment ,” Reed explains . “ By introducing AM to KAC ’ s manufacturing method , I quickly found that it took a complete change in the way of thinking from design to manufacturing to optimize the advantages of AM . This is an entire manufacturing process . AM itself is a small piece of the processes needed to make a part . As such , we had to establish a whole new team to meet the challenges of AM , to explore different processes to find solutions .”

Emerging technology

AM has given KAC the advantage of building product that could never be made in a conventional method . In harnessing the advantages of AM , KAC was able to acquire a new patent , demonstrating the value of adapting to this emerging technology . Additionally , KAC was instrumental in establishing the first approved AM apprenticeship program in the State of Florida .

“ At KAC ,” Reed continues , “ our automation and robotics ( A & R ) department has been deploying a multitude of automated systems throughout our facility and manufacturing processes . My highest directive to this group has always been to provide lean robotics to reduce production costs and increase productivity through ‘ light ’ s out operation ’. The automation team also supports the manufacturing operations . In ‘ light ’ s out operation ’, internally known as ‘ Knight Shift Automation ’, we focus on designing robotic systems capable of functioning in uninterrupted mode for a duration of approximately 14-to-16 hours overnight while requiring virtually no supervision or operator intervention .

“ To achieve our goals , we continuously and relentlessly seek opportunities to assist our partners in production , scheduling and quality departments , facilitating significant process improvements , ranging from individual

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