Hostetler
RAISING THE BARN:
Collaboration delivers results
We were using old-fashioned fixturing that we welded together for each project … it got to be extremely time-consuming. We wanted to be more efficient and more flexible.
MICAH SWARTZENTRUBER
Industry
Agriculture
Challenge
Varying Part Sizes
Company Profile
Hostetler Sales & Construction
Buffalo, MO
100 employees
Metal Truss Manufacturer
Challenges
Long setup times
Wide variety of part sizes
Long setup times
Wide variety of part sizes
Sometimes, it’s all about who you know …
When Hostetler Construction developed their unique steel truss system over 50 years ago, the goal was to help customers build their dreams. Now, they had a dream of their own — to take production to the next level by improving efficiency, safety practices, and final part quality. They knew it would be a complex process, and they’d need to work with multiple vendors to make it happen. Luckily for Hostetler, their first call kicked off a series of events that led them to a Bluco® modular workholding solution. A solution that would integrate all the new tech they were bringing on board, and provide the foundation needed to achieve their operational goals.
The project started when the crew at Hostetler called on Fronius to help them achieve higher quality welds by converting to wire (MIG) from traditional stick welding. With step one of the Hostetler’s plan underway, Fronius introduced the team to Andersen Industries. Their WELDPRO 360 MIG Booms would integrate with the new Fronius equipment while eliminating cord clutter that could cause tripping injuries. Hostetler’s Lead Engineer, Micah Swartentruber, wanted to check out the booms in person, so Andersen referred him Bluco’s Validation Center where he could see multiple booms in use. “Andersen told us ‘just call Bluco and see how they like their boom,’” says Micah. It was then that the total solution began to take shape.
Traditional fixturing falls short
Before making a trip to Bluco’s Naperville, Illinois facility, Micah called one of their Senior Sales Engineers, Todd Bennett, and the conversation turned to fixturing. “We were using old-fashioned fixturing that we welded for each project, and it got to be extremely time-consuming,” says Micah. “Too many fixtures only worked for one project. We wanted to be more efficient and flexible,” he says.
Modular expertise makes the difference
It was a problem Todd had seen dozens of times, and he knew Bluco could solve it. So he visited Hostetler for a hands-on demo. It was a different process than the group had ever experienced. “We saw other vendors and it was a lot of ‘here’s our tools, just figure out what you need and call us,’” recalls Micah. “Plus the ideas they presented weren’t even close to cost effective.” Bluco’s in-person demo allowed the team to fixture and weld one of their trusses on their own shop floor. They also tested a compatible FARO laser projection system. Seeing how laser outlines could guide component placement helped the team envision a future where efficiency was increased even further.
An open house seals the deal
While Micah’s team was impressed, Hostetler doesn’t take investment decisions lightly. “We basically check into every company out there. Interview them and make sure the ownership group is confident that we selected the correct partner. We’re always looking for partners that can walk with us for many years versus who’s the cheapest today.” As part of that process, the team visited Bluco during an open house that featured Bluco’s industry partners — Fronius, Andersen, FARO and many more. “That really helped us make the final decision on both Bluco and Andersen,” he says. “That trip was well worth it.”
Results
Fixture adjusts to any truss size
Adjustable stops compensate for weld shrinkage
Ability to add camber to setup so trusses set straight
Efficiency
Quality
Ease of use
Production time reduced by 25%
The final solution brought a dramatic improvement in efficiency. “Some of the setups would have taken up to two days. Those larger setups are now down to a couple of hours,” says Micah. Every fixture is saved as a STEP file in Solidworks. Moving a component to fixture a new part is as easy as counting holes on the modular base to match the drawing. “There’s days when we do five different barns, and there was a ton of setup the old way. This is much more efficient.”
“Some of our setups would have taken up to two days. Some are now down to a couple of hours.”
Final part quality gets a boost.
In addition, the system holds each part straighter and truer, and ensures the tabs welded to each post and truss are precisely located every time. As a result, roof boards can be cut to nominal lengths without layout or measuring. Outer steel panels, roof sheets, and internal finishing now fit together flawlessly. “If you match hole to hole and spacer to spacer — there’s just not a lot of room for error,” says Micah.
“There’s just not a lot of room for error … we’re not using measuring tapes anymore. We’re just copying the drawings out of Solidworks.”
Learning curve goes from one year to one month
The team also found it easy to learn how to use the modular system. “It took about a month of production before we got really comfortable, whereas in the past the training period would have been a year, so it’s just amazing on that side” says Micah. “Now, there’s way less of management’s help and time needed out on the shop floor because we have guys that have never done set up go out, and they can do a fixture in a very short time. It’s just a tremendous benefit.”
“It took about a month of production before we got really comfortable. Whereas in the past the training period would have been a year, so it’s just as amazing on that side … we have guys that have never done set up go out and they can do a fixture in a very short time.”
