Wayne Trail Technologies
CUSTOMER
Wayne Trail Technologies is a recognized leader in the design of flexible, automated systems used in a variety of metal forming, fabricating, and joining industries. Their current market segments include: press automation; tube bending and fabricating systems; hydroform and structural frame automation; robotics, welding and fixturing; VIL laser processing systems; fully integrated turn-key manufacturing systems; and build-to-print manufacturing services.
CHALLENGE
Wayne Trail was working on a multi-million dollar automated production machine for a leading U.S. advanced energy company. One aspect of the system required that Wayne Trail be able to cut extremely thin coated metal parts at a very high speed and accuracy. Currently available commercial solutions could not adequately meet the system requirements.
SOLUTION
Wayne Trail had worked with EWI on past projects and was aware of a high speed laser processing system that EWI developed with funding from the Ohio Department of Development, Thomas Edison Program. In discussing the project needs, EWI determined that a system could possibly be developed that had the potential to meet the end-customer’s extremely challenging requirements. This could be done by using the equipment from the Edison Program, combined with software developed under an Ohio Third Frontier Project if successful process parameters could be developed. EWI integrated the knowledge from both Ohio programs and, in conjunction with specialized tooling developed and supplied by Wayne Trail, ultimately demonstrated a successful process for Wayne Trail and their customer. As a result, Wayne Trail was able to further refine and implement cutting edge laser technology on the customer’s project.
RESULTS
By collaborating with EWI, Wayne Trail successfully delivered two production machines to their advanced energy customer, with a combined value of approximately $6 million. As a direct result, 40-50 jobs will be created/retained at Wayne Trail. As this new technology is commercialized and standardized, Wayne Trail hopes to attract significantly more business to Ohio over the life of the new market technology.
