HVAC duct fabricators and sheet metal contractors of all sizes must understand the importance of organizing their shop space for optimal shop flow. While operational bottlenecks and cramped or disorganized floor space can cause production delays that lead to lost profits and labor, designing a shop with great flow improves all around efficiency and performance. Large or small, every shop floor can benefit from machinery and equipment that saves space and performs reliably. In this post, we'll feature several solutions from Mestek Machinery that improve shop flow with a compact footprint.
Each Cornermatic corner insertion machine is designed to fit the needs and profile of the fab shop. For smaller, space-saving applications, the Cornermatic Plus Versa model combines a compact footprint with the capability of sitting on the workshop floor or in-ground for greater flexibility during production. The heavy-duty hydraulic scissor lift raises and lowers the machine with a simple press of a button. The in-ground feature is beneficial for projects involving large or straight duct and heavier gauge, larger fittings, while the above-ground position is ideal for fitting production.
New quick loading StrapPak™ packaging technology speeds loading and eliminates the need to sort and orient the corners before installation. Corners feed from below the work-surface allowing a clean, unobstructed work area.
Engel has developed several coil lines specifically to meet the needs of rectangular ductwork fabrication that are built to last longer, produce more product, and deliver the highest levels of quality and value. These coil lines have many available options that allow for straightening, beading, notching, shearing, and roll forming all on one compact frame.
The ValuePLUS2 Front End Starter Coil Line effortlessly delivers the power and precision that today’s HVAC companies demand. The machine's in line footprint fits well in many factory layouts, saving valuable floor space. While a smaller operation my want to start out with the smaller front end model, it is expandable to the ValuePLUS2 Space Saver Full Coil Line later on to cater to the added capabilities of a growing business. The line's modular construction allows any option to be added later. With Engel, fabricators can straighten, bead, notch, and shear (all standard) all on one compact frame, with options for cleat edge former or tie rod punching.
Similar to the Engel ValuePLUS2, the Iowa Precision Pro-Ductomatic Front End Coil Line is the beginning of a full coil line that can be expanded later on. The Pro-Ductomatic was designed, engineered, and built to efficiently and precisely produce finished duct sections while dramatically reducing material, labor, and storage costs.
The Pro-Ductomatic Front-End Coil Line System provides the fastest feed rate in the industry and the most economical footprint in the world. This system was designed for light to heavy duty commercial applications with emphasis on slip and drive ductwork and allows future additional components to make this system a complete automated duct line. E-Z load coil drum assemblies eliminate the need for a lifting device to add to your lift truck, streamlining loading processes.
Lockformer Spiral Tube Formers are revolutionary spiral tube formers that combine the most advanced technology with one of the smallest footprints in the industry. Unlike other compact models, Lockformer Spiral Tube Formers are fully automatic and will not sacrifice speed, power, or technology.
Two models are available:
Mestek Machinery and our brands — Iowa Precision, Lockformer, Engel, and Roto-Die — continue to lead the industry in designing and manufacturing the most complete, productive, and state-of-the-art metal forming solutions for the fabrication of HVAC sheet metal duct and fittings. Our wide range of automated duct forming lines and corner insertion equipment, among our other innovative solutions, feature some of the fastest feed rates in the industry and the most economical footprints.
Mestek Machinery equipment is not only built to last but also designed to fit the specific operational and application needs of today's sheet metal contractors and HVAC duct fabrication shops. We are proud to offer a wide selection of machines to support improved shop flow and efficiency for operations of all shapes and sizes.