Industry Guide List
Success Story
Chism Companyis recognized throughout the awning and shade sail industry as a leader in innovation, automation, and customer service. Since 1951, this 3rd generation family owned and managed company has provided been a leader in applying technology to create better products, faster. In 2005 they adopted a Carlson Design plotter/cutter and have since virtually eliminated scissors from their cutting room. They use AutoCAD to draw even the smallest jobs, "saving 3-4 hrs" per day. "Cutting becomes a one person operation. It's not 2 people reaching across the table -- everything is square and true in this automated world."
Awnings and Canopies
About
Automated production solutions are relatively new to the awning and canopy industry, however the rapid introduction of computer design tools like google's sketchup and AutoCAD into sales and manufacturing of awnings is reaching well beyond the industry leaders.
Why Automate cutting your awnings?
- A plotter/cutter takes the specialized knowledge away from pattern cutting. Turn cutting into an entry level position and put your most experienced people on bigger problems.
- Create a barrier to entry against your existing competitors andguardagainst future one. Our cutters are easy to operate -- don't spend any more time training your future competitor how to cut.
- Integrate production with your sales force. If they are making CAD renderings for your customers you can use those same drawings for production.
- Selling point -- recovers are easy now that their patterns are stored electronically.
- Eliminate priceelasticity. Staying ahead of production means you can offer your best price to the customer year round.
- Plotting your frame layout on paper makes welding together custom frames quicker and more accurate.
- Reduce wear and tear on personnel. No more reaching, leaning, long days of hand cutting.
- Double or triple production without adding personnel.
- Save material by nesting parts. Material savings alone often pays for a machine in the first year.
These are just a few advantages our customers reported. For more information about automating your awning shop please give us a call or email anytime.
Which Plotter/Cutter:
PT-96" Plotter/Cutter (or wider).
Awning/Canopy shops are tough work environment for CNC equipment, which is why we recommend our most industrial model Pro PT. It is designed to work in the roughest and dirtiest places without needing to be frequently coddled or calibrated. The wider 96" model allows you to plot/cut up to 88" wide material toaccommodatethe growing material width within the industry. The additional width costs $2000, but gives lots allows for growth into new markets and new materials. Wider material is always more efficient once you start nesting patterns. Almost all materials in this industry are cut with a standardsteel rotary blade.
Which Vacuum Table:
Phillocraft vacuum table. Averagelength24' long or longer. Typically a 5HP radial vacuum blower for every 24' of table. Larger blowers are needed if working with mesh or shade cloth.
Which Accessories:
- T-Bar Digitizer -- bridge the gap between computer design and hand patterning with the T-Bar. Great tool to get started.
- Swivel Sign Knife-- Bring cutting sign vinyl letters in house. Cut large format letters yourself.
Which Software:
Every awning company makes their awnings and canopies a little different than the next shop, however Carlson Design has written several design programs to help produce basic projections, ends, bubble awnings, and valances. If you have a custom technique, we can easily write a custom program.
You can also use free CAD programs like Sketchup or Draftsight. Draftsight is a free version of AutoCAD. Here is a 45min video lesson from Ryan Chism on how to make an awning in AutoCAD:http://vimeo.com/19042082
Inkscape is a free version of CorelDRAW for all your sign lettering.
*Photo courtesy Chism Awning Co.
