Lectra offers two new solutions for leather sector

28 Jul '10

6 min read

This ability to handle and process the largest usable area on whole hides (or half-hides) in one go, combined with powerful software based on sophisticated algorithms, enables operators to achieve optimal nesting efficiency and gives manufacturers a particular competitive advantage in terms of optimizing materials. At mid-range prices, savings can reach €100,000 per year, using either the PLF or the PLH.

The PLF and PLH ranges incorporate Lectra's “combined” nesting-making method, a powerful, collaborative process that allows operators to choose the nesting-making method best suited to their type of production. They can use the interactive mode when the quality or symmetry requirements of items to be produced demand that specific areas of leather be chosen based on the hide's characteristics (grain type and quality, levelness, handle, etc.), and automatic mode when working on less critical parts.

The combined nesting-making method meets a fundamental need of manufacturers, as they can now process all types of leather—natural, semi-aniline, grainy or slightly rectified—and, at any time in the cycle, choose the most suitable nesting-making method for their type of production, regardless of product and model style or site organization, achieving immeasurable savings in time and materials.

“Lectra's PLH cutting solution has enabled us to reduce leather consumption by 15 to 20%. We have also increased our productivity and improved our bag production process. In addition, we have noticed a speedy return on investment with the PLH, mainly due to the optimization of our material consumption,” explained Francisco Hernández, Operations Director, Sociedad Textil Lonia (Spain, Purificacion Garcia brand).

The PLF and PLH ranges provide the added advantage of automating the cutting process, which has an impact on costs incurred through poor quality by significantly reducing waste due to badly-cut parts. In this way, the product cycle is shortened and hide consumption optimized, all the while maintaining consistent product quality.

Other sources of savings can be found in the simplified and optimized use of the solutions by teams in charge of their management. Particular care was taken with ergonomics in order to make the PLF and PLH cutters as simple to use as possible, even for operators with little training. The fact that the solutions are quick and easy to learn is particularly valuable, especially in emerging countries and countries with high team turnover. In other countries, it allows operators to make better use of their skills by enabling them to focus more on added-value activities.

The PLF and PLH ranges also incorporate production log and data management functions, which record the characteristics of hides used as cutting proceeds. Operators therefore have a log of data entered automatically when the hide was scanned. The data log relates to the hide's surface area, leather quality, the number of flaws detected, nesting choices made, hide consumption per model, etc. This valuable information makes it easier to make an objective comparison of hides delivered by suppliers and improve quality control for raw materials purchased.

More Lectra News... More Information Technology News - France...