Achieving Cost Reduction and Sustainable Production in Global Agricultural Equipment Industry
Founded in 1964 by Egido Maschio, the MASCHIO GASPARDO Group is a leading international enterprise producing equipment for tillage, seeding & planting, fertilization, crop protection, green maintenance, and haymaking. Developing with the corporate vision to be a global leader of sustainable agricultural solutions, MASCHIO GASPARDO Group currently boasts a portfolio of eight production facilities, with five centrally located within the domestic borders of Italy, and an additional three stationed overseas factories in Romania, India, and China.
The Challenges and Drawbacks of the 4kW CO2 Cutting Method
Before the emergence and swift advancement of high-power fiber laser cutting machines, MASCHIO GASPARDO India, like its counterparts in the industry, heavily relied on outdated CO2 cutting machines. These machines posed several challenges, including exorbitant operational expenses, laborious maintenance requirements, and heavy use of electricity.
Significant shortcomings became apparent after the agricultural equipment leader employed 4kW CO2 lasers. Tens of thousands of US dollars per year were allocated to cover gas and electricity expenses. The maintenance of a CO2 laser cutter required approximately five hours per week, as the system necessitated recurrent cleaning and replacement due to the frequent accumulation of dirt on the mirrors and tube.
The CO2 cutter's working principle limits the energy-to-light conversion to only 10%, with the remaining 90% transformed into heat and subsequently dissipated. The process creates a formidable electricity demand. This not only makes it an unsustainable production method but also raises concerns about its environmental impact. In light of these factors, the company recognized the urgency and importance of transitioning to a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly production strategy.
The True Business Changer - THREE G-CUT12kW Models
MASCHIO GASPARDO India chose to collaborate with G-CUT based on its achievements in laser technology and potential returns on investment. In 2021, with the support of Bodor’s dedicated service team, the company acquired and installed its first fiber laser device, the G-CUT 12kW model.
Positioned as high-performance laser cutting machines, the G-CUT Series significantly increased the cutting speed and overall efficiency for MASCHIO GASPARDO. After witnessing the immense power of a 12kW laser, the company recognized it as the perfect solution to expand production capacity and opted for an additional investment in 2022, with the purchase of two more P3-12kW models to its equipment lineup.
Air Cutting Brings the 22% Decrease in Costs and the 90% Increase in Cost-benefit
Cutting costs was the first and foremost important consideration for MASCHIO GASPARDO. The utilization of 12kW fiber lasers with air cutting technique eliminates the need for oxygen and nitrogen and reduces power consumption, while also minimizing cumbersome labor maintenance. As a result, the company successfully reduces 22% of the operation costs compared to the previous CO2 laser cutting process.
The air cutting technique also leads to an outstanding 8-fold enhancement in operational speed and significantly enhances the processing capability by an additional 630 meters per hour, allowing the company’s cost-benefit ratio for metal processing to increase impressively by 90%.