Improved Cost per Cut: Intensive product development makes Julia leaders in circular saw blade technology 21 February 2012 In times of economic recession the focus often shifts from quality to price when purchasing products. The danger in this approach is underlined by the high failure rate commonly associated with cheaper, inferior products. It is, however, possible to find a balance between the two elements by selecting a supplier that is driven to uncover high-quality working solutions for its customers. First Cut, a reputable southern African distributor of international capital equipment and consumables, believes that the ideal partnership between customer and supplier is one that is based on transparency, open communication channels and unequivocal customer support. “By carefully listening to the needs and requests of the market, we are able to find international suppliers that both fill this apparent gap and at the same time complement our existing product base,” says Gary Willis, Sales Director at First Cut. Six years ago First Cut was appointed as the sole southern African distributor for Julia Utensili S.P.A.’s range of high-speed circular blades. “These blades are aimed at companies in the steel cutting market which specialise in cutting tube for the automotive manufacturing industry as well as for companies supplying to general industry,” says Willis. A recent visit by Julia Utensili’s Sales Manager, Giovanni Colle, underlined the importance of the relationship between the two companies. “Our customers often wish to share their cutting issues with the developers and manufacturers of the equipment and consumables we sell, so visits like this one provide them with an opportunity to pose questions and request enhancements,” says Willis. Colle points out that in spite of the global economic crisis that started in 2009, Julia Utensili is confident about the future and has continued with its strategic plans to invest in the development of the industry through enhanced technological product advancements. “Thanks to a completely automated high productivity system, our highly qualified staff is able to check each production process, in order to assure customers of the high quality product we have become synonymous with.” Colle adds that in Julia’s high technology laboratory it is possible to measure, record and control all aspects of the production process including, for example, the metallic structure of the high speed steel, before and after hardening. “A brand new heat treatment system, developed specifically for saw blade manufacture, has been installed and used over the last few months to increase capacity and quality of all products. In addition, the new oven has increased production capacity, as well improved the high quality levels of our circular saw blades.” “Only by continually modernising our production plant and introducing the latest available technologies, are we able to constantly improve and perfect our products in order to maintain the company’s leadership in this niche market,” says Colle. The range of circular saw blades constantly undergoes review by the Julia development team and currently has variations available from 20 to 620 mm, with 0.15 to 6 mm thicknesses. The high speed steel (HSS) range is suitable for cutting of steels and alloys with a hardness of between 500 and 800 N/mm2. “These saw blades are used on manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic sawing machines to cut tubes and pipes, open sections and solid sections,” says Colle. The HSS-DMo5 circular saw blades are Julia’s super high speed steel (5% cobalt content) variants suitable for cutting steels and alloys with hardness above 800 N/mm², and are used on semi-automatic and fully automatic sawing machines. With an eye constantly on quality, Julia has invested a great deal of time, money and effort in ensuring the coatings applied to its circular saw blades are guaranteed to ensure longer life and precision cutting. The Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) coating technique used by Julia has a number of benefits, including improved hardness and wear resistance, reduced friction and improved oxidation resistance. The use of such coatings is aimed at improving efficiency through improved performance and longer component life. They may also allow coated components to operate in environments where the uncoated component would not otherwise have been able to perform. “We are very excited about our relationship with Julia. We are able to constantly introduce enhancements and new technological developments geared around improving the productivity of our customers’ operations while at the same time reducing downtime. All this equates to a better cost per cut, which ultimately wins us favour with industry,” Willis concludes. |
