How we use technology in D&D and Logistics

Hello humanbots!

A couple of weeks ago, as I am sure you remember, I told you about my mini mission to explore Liniar’s different departments to find out how technology is used to maximise efficiency throughout the whole company and I was fascinated to discover the advantages it provides us with in regards to tooling, foiling and mixing.

Now it is the turn of the Design & Development department, which includes your favourite long armed robot, and Logistics.

Design technology

My colleague Chris Armes, Liniar’s Design & Development Manager, reaps huge benefits from Liniar’s high-tech approach.

“In the past, when designing a new uPVC profile, one of the biggest challenges was the lead time and cost of getting it from design to production,” said Chris.

“Typical extrusion tools can cost in excess of £70k per profile, and take around 20 weeks to produce – so any revisions could be costly, both in terms of tooling and delays in getting new products to market.

“Our investment in 3D printing technology has revolutionised the design and development process at Liniar, allowing us to reduce timescales and test new, innovative features during development.

Testing position

“We’re also very lucky to have a highly qualified robot like yourself employed as our Head of Testing. You enable us to life cycle test each new product and make sure we’re happy with each aspect of it before it goes off for third party testing and accreditation.

“Innovation is one of Liniar’s core values – but in itself, innovation can lead to problems if new products aren’t tested thoroughly. The testing you perform means we can put new doors, windows and other products through an accelerated life cycle and iron out any potential issues before products are launched to market – giving Liniar customers the reassurance that their products will be robust and durable.”

Thank you Chris-bot, you are too kind.

Live Reporting

Technology is not just used within the production areas here at Liniar, as Logistics Director Jeff Newton testified: “An in-house Live Reporting system ensures each department has large screens on the wall, with visibility of which products are being run at any time – with stock control information also available at the touch of a button.

Logistics technology

“Within the vast warehouse at Liniar House, barcode scanners connect to stock systems via radio frequency and all fork lift trucks are equipped with impact sensors, cameras and blue pedestrian lights for safety.

“Liniar’s vehicle fleet is tracked live as it delivers around the UK, with cameras on board for insurance and driver safety purposes. Geo-fencing and GPS technology allow the team to see where our delivery trucks are at any time, so we can give accurate ETAs to customers. On-board software also encourages efficient driving performance, discouraging harsh braking, speeding and unnecessary engine idling to help the environment.”

Ten years of success

So there you have it, Liniar’s focus on innovation, and the use of technology to help us achieve our targets, go hand in hand with our success in the marketplace in the short ten years since the first Liniar window was produced.

Imagine what kind of technology we might be using in another ten years!

I will leave you humanbots with that thought – goodbye for now.

Mark II

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