A new Technology Italiana punching machine has been installed at Gigola & Riccardi, which was purchased together with an automation system. By choosing a punching machine together with an automatic loading and unloading system, the company was able to achieve a twofold goal: automating processes at low production costs.

Nowadays, productivity is a key aspect that every company must take into account in its growth and consolidation process. In fact, many small and medium-sized enterprises have the need to increase their production potential in order to achieve greater performance and results, while keeping an eye on production costs. To meet this need, Gigola & Riccardi S.p.A., a company operating in the poultry sector, has decided to implement its production line by purchasing a new, latest-generation Technology Italiana punching machine equipped with an automatic sheet loading and unloading system to further increase the automation and efficiency of the production cycle. Indeed, the automatic loading and unloading system gives a considerable boost to the performance of the Technology TP Omega punching machine, which was chosen by the company for its power, versatility and low energy consumption thanks to its fully servo-electric system.Together, these two elements ensure the company a considerable increase in productivity and, at the same time, a significant reduction in working time.

A cutting-edge punching machine to be faster and more accurate

Since 1986, Gigola & Riccardi S.p.A. has been a world leader in the manufacturing of equipment for ventilation and cooling of farms, greenhouses and industries. In addition to these products, the company also manufactures various types of panels (shading, cooling, evaporative). Gigola & Riccardi’s mission is to focus “on the research and development of new products and on innovation, to guarantee its customers a state-of-the-art production level in line with modern demand”.

To achieve this goal, the company has created innovative products over the years, which have been patented worldwide and are still unique in the whole sector. For example, the ‘Cooling & Darkening’ panel combines cooling and darkening properties, making it a product with unique qualities and characteristics worldwide.

The company’s focus on its customers is evident in the R&D department’s constant efforts to find innovative ideas to meet customer needs. These projects have led to the development and launch of interesting products, such as large ceiling destratifiers or heavy-duty dampers. These innovations go hand in hand with the creation of customised solutions for customers. Gigola & Riccardi’s continuous growth has led to an urgent need to increase the company’s production capacity, and so it has decided to implement its punching machine line, replacing its former machine with one that could guarantee enhanced performances in terms of speed and precision.

A choice in the name of continuity

Gigola & Riccardi represents an excellence of Made in Italy and has two production plants, located in Cazzago San Martino (Brescia), where the ventilator production activities take place, and in Erbusco (Brescia), where the production of evaporative cooling panels is carried out. The punching machine is a crucial component for the processing Gigola & Riccardi has to carry out. The machine, in fact, is an essential part of the sheet-metal deformation workshop, where operators carry out work on dampers, plates and combinations of different structures that go to make up semi-finished products which, in turn, will be the basis for the finished product.

The collaboration between Technology Italiana and Gigola & Riccardi began in 2009, when the Brescia-based company purchased its first punching machine from this historic manufacturer. The need to expand their production department, together with their satisfaction with the product, led the company to turn to Technology again in 2019 to find the most appropriate solution for their needs, which immediately turned out to be the TP Omega punching machine with a format of 1,250 x 2,000 mm, combined with an automatic loading and unloading system for the sheet, which would give a boost to the automation of the production cycle and bring a number of advantages.

Dr. Pietro Seccamani Mazzoli, the company’s managing director, has summarised in a few words the reasons why Gigola & Riccardi chose Technology Italiana as their partner for Punching: “Italian brand, valuable economic offer, warranty package and very positive previous experience”.

The quality and reliability of Made in Italy were a key point for the choice but, equally crucial was the strong value proposition put forward by Technology, which combines warranty and service at an affordable price. Obviously, satisfaction with the product and the excellent relationship established with Technology over the years played a key role in ensuring that the choice fell once again to the Ligurian company.

The benefits of automation

With the acquisition of a loading and unloading system to accompany the new punching machine, Gigola & Riccardi has taken a big step forward in terms of automation, productivity and customisation opportunities.

The TP Omega punching machine is a solution that combines technology, performance and simplicity in a single product. Entirely servo-electric, TP Omega boasts the Auto-Index function, which allows each tool to be rotated from 0° to 360°, thus reducing the number of tools to be purchased and cutting down processing times. The machine also offers considerable energy savings as there is no hydraulic oil to keep at temperature. This punching machine reflects Technology’s vision to become a benchmark in the punching market on a worldwide scale, offering global and innovative solutions with the aim of guaranteeing customers an outstanding business experience.

The punching machine itself is an essential element in any metalworking company. However, when a company feels the need to increase its production level, the automatic punching machine becomes a fundamental step in ensuring company growth.

It is an essential complement if a higher level of productivity is to be achieved. Gigola & Riccardi has identified the automatic system for loading and unloading sheet metal a fundamental tool to make the production cycle increasingly automated and smart.

This system has brought numerous benefits to Gigola & Riccardi, as emphasised by managing director Pietro Seccamani: “First and foremost, the automation system makes it possible to carry out unmanned work cycles, with the chance to work even at night without the need for an operator. This means a considerable increase in productivity and a drastic reduction in working times. Automated servicing has had a decisive impact on ‘manual’ resources, reducing operator working hours and speeding up operations. In addition, the fully automated production cycle eliminates the risk of operator accidents, guaranteeing maximum safety at work. In fact, this system allows large and heavy plates to be loaded safely.

Another factor that is taken into consideration is the ease of programming and use of the automation systems, which, thanks to their user-friendliness, facilitate the work of the operators.
Going on with the list of benefits, it is impossible not to mention the processing flexibility guaranteed by automation. In fact, this system makes it possible to obtain format customisations that can be created according to customer requirements.

The most suitable system for processing up to 6 mm

What still deserves to be emphasised is the fact that Gigola & Riccardi has chosen to carry on with punching because, on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis, it has undoubtedly still proved to be the most suitable system for processing up to 6 mm of sheet metal and the most advantageous way to produce its type of product both in terms of quality and, above all, the cost of the product itself.

In conclusion, therefore we can say that greater flexibility translates into increased productivity and process optimisation, all at low production costs. In fact, punching technology has its own intrinsic advantages, such as minimal power consumption, which significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs.

Source: Publitec online (Trade magazine – Deformazione)