A systems integrator focused on the design, production, and assembly of custom turnkey automation systems, Farris Automated Systems specializes in pick-and-place and assembly applications for the plastics, packaging, and automotive industries.
In 2005, while searching the Internet for alternative suppliers for components commonly used in their custom machines, FAS found and began using Misumi.
"Our full service machine shop was taxed and couldn''t keep up with demand. We were looking for an alternative source for standard components used in a wide variety of our subassemblies," said Brian Terry, project manager at Farris. "Our objective was to outsource the common items that took up machine time and tied up our machine shop resources. This would allow our machine shop to concentrate on the unique parts used in the assembly machines we design and build."
Farris began purchasing rotary shafts, hexagonal posts, locating pins, and bearings from Misumi. Buying these components was less expensive than producing the parts in house and they were able to schedule delivery so the parts arrived in time for final assembly, rather than sitting around in inventory waiting to be assembled.
"We publish our prices and production schedules in our Metric and Inch catalogs -- customers know the price of a component and the delivery just by looking in the book," commented Ron Dziuda, Misumi marketing manager. "I think customers like FAS really enjoy our ''no minimum order quantity'' and our ''no setup charges'' policy to save cost. Many of our customers have told us how frustrating and expensive it is to have to buy a bag of 100 precision washers when all they need is 4."
The real savings for Farris came when the company began using the Misumi CAD Configurator. This allowed them to configure unique components to their exact specifications and then download the native drawings directly into the assembly drawings. The custom component became a purchased component, added to the BOM -- so design engineers spent their time designing the machine and not all the small components that go into the machine.
"The savings using the CAD Configurator are huge, combined with the competitive prices offered by Misumi and the ability to schedule delivery - these are the three reasons we use Misumi for many of our custom components," adds Terry. FAS is now also purchasing roller chain, sprockets, angle plates, and linear guides from Misumi''s list of more than 180,000 components -- further allowing Farris''s machine shop to concentrate on what they do best.