A Day in the Life of an ENKOTEC Service Engineer: Implementing a New Die System
Bjørn, one of our expert Service Engineers at ENKOTEC, shares insights into his daily routine, travelling to clients and assisting them with the installation of our new and improved die-ring system.
Preparation
Before a visit I will always arrange a Teams meeting with the client to confirm the plan for the visit. This includes gathering all the relevant information regarding the visit and the client’s needs. To make sure the client gets the most out of the visit, we will discuss whether there are any other areas that I can assist them with which would create significant value to them, such as troubleshooting, training, or consultancy.
Additionally, I will obtain nail drawings and instructions regarding the assembly of the new system, which are included with the die-ring set. The purpose of such a visit is to teach the client how to insert a die-ring, remove it, maintain the die-ring, and install dies.
Arriving On-Site With the Client
Upon arrival, the first thing is to start with an agenda meeting for the visit. This usually involves production-relevant personnel such as supervisors, maintenance staff, and technicians. This meeting outlines the tasks and schedule for the visit. I explain the simplified mechanics of the improved system, emphasising the reduced maintenance needs and longer lifespan, which ultimately lowers costs. After my presentation, I always make room for questions so that I can ensure that any concerns are addressed during the training.
When all the questions have been asked and answered we then move to the nail machine and start the practical part of the training. The first thing we do is inspect all the parts and I will highlight the extraction tools for extracting dies. Here I will also do a little talk about the maintenance kit before here we start to mount the new die-ring in the machine. I am always especially grateful to my clients if they have already moved the old die-ring and cleaned inside the machine, as this helps us make the most of our time together!
Mounting The New Die Ring
I will normally guide the technicians through how to mount the new die-ring, rather than mounting it myself. This way, I know that at least one of the technicians has hands on experience with this process. However, our next-generation die ring system is actually designed to just be mounted and then left in the machinery, as it does not require regular dismounting and cleaning, like the old MK-II system did.
After that I will train the technicians how to use the extraction tools and let them all try to extract and replace a die from the die ring system. This way they can feel how easy it is to extract the dies and appreciate the simplicity of mounting the dies into the die-ring just with their fingers – especially when compared to the complex process of old system. After this we adjust the top die distance, the compression force of the dies, and the alignment of the B-main bearing, and we are ready to run the machine and let them begin production with the new die ring set.
Lunch
The innovative new system is much simpler and has fewer parts than the old MK-II system. This means that technicians do not need as much in-depth knowledge or training to successfully maintain the system – leaving them free to focus on other important tasks. The training on the new model of our die ring system is therefore comparatively much shorter than on an old system – which means that we are usually finished with training by lunchtime.
During lunch, we often discuss how ENKOTEC can further improve the client’s production facility. Clients are usually curious about new developments and have questions about production. With over 25 years at ENKOTEC, I am always happy to offer advice on optimising efficiency, whether through recommending relevant upgrade kits or emphasising the importance of preventative maintenance.
After Lunch: Meeting with Management and Consultancy
Once the training session is complete and there are no further questions about the die-ring system, I shift my focus to consulting with the management team. My aim is to help clients optimise their production processes and achieve greater efficiency.
During these consultations, we discuss various aspects of their operations, from the practicalities of machinery maintenance to broader organisational strategies. Drawing on my extensive experience, I provide insights and recommendations tailored to their specific needs. This might include implementing tools like 5S Lean Manufacturing principles to streamline workflows and reduce wasted time or resources.
ENKOTEC service engineers bring a fresh perspective to each production facility we visit. We are trained to identify potential issues and suggest improvements that can enhance productivity and minimise downtime. Our goal is to ensure that every visit adds significant value to the client's operations.
Follow Up
About a week after the visit, I will arrange a follow-up Teams meeting with the customer to review the performance of the new system to ensure that everything is running smoothly and address any additional questions.
Bjørn Skandshus
Bjørn has been with us for over 25 years, and travels all over the world to share his expertise and assist on-site.