Improve Productivity at Metal cutting workstations by adding a Swarf trays with Splash Guard

With the introduction of carbide tools and rapid development of machine tools for higher rate of metal removal, large quantities of chips are produced in a short time. If the chips are not cleared off in time, further flow of chips from the tool is obstructed causing newly formed chips to get entangled around the elements surrounding the tool and posing a hazard to the operator and the machine. It may also affect the quality of the work. Metal drip pans with a splash guard should be introduced (swarf) under and around the machine to very carefully collect the cut metal chips. This sliding tray act as a reservoir and can be emptied into a swarf bin nearby, periodically when full to maintain a safe working environment. This addition reduces the cleaning time drastically instead of blowing to clean regularly. The sliding tray provided for collecting chips in a machine is dependent on the type of machine, operation, rate of stock removal and form of chips. As a part of Lean and Energy Assessment at a facility, a swarf tray with splash guard is suggested to be added to the bar saw which is used most of the time. The collected metal chip scrap at the workstation creates downtime on the production line and make it labor intensive. This measure eliminated the downtime and reduced the labor-intensive cleaning time and saved 347 man hours a year and thereby $14,000 annually, while improving productivity.