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Kent International is Ready to Reshore More Bicycle Component Manufacturing
Date：
2020-07-27
Source：
They say that once you learn how to ride a bicycle, you never forget, but re-capturing the bicycle manufacturing process, while updating it with robotics and automation, is a new challenge for U.S. bicycle manufacturer Kent International, Inc.
Kent’s Manning, S.C., plant started out assembling in-sourced parts, but the facility, led by Kent Chairman and CEO Arnold Kamler, is beginning to produce more of its components, including rims, handlebars, frames and forks—the most expensive components.
“Production of the frame and fork will require precise forming, welding and finish work," Kamler says. "There are eleven separate pieces being welded into the frame, and they have to be cut and machined perfectly to allow for robotic welding, with eleven welds required to connect the frame.
He adds, as well: “Steel is very temperamental; it’s like snowflakes—there is no one steel the same, so every bike frame has to be checked for alignment. After the frames are welded, they may need to be straightened out with a rubber mallet and precise alignment dies."
"Early in my career, while visiting a factory with my father, I saw workers use a rubber mallet at the end of the process," Kamler recalls. "I winced, but Dad said, ‘If you ever go into a factory, and you don’t see a rubber mallet hammer, run away as fast as you can…’"
After the robot has completed frame welding and alignment, the frame moves to painting. “That means that welding, cutting, bending and painting are the biggest challenges we will have," Kamler says. But he's confident the company will succeed: "Remember, Kent is a joint venture, majority-owned by me, but our partners own a huge factory in China that is already doing robotic welding," he says. "We are getting training and equipment from them. They’re doing it now in China, and for them the first time was the tough part. So the way I see our challenge is that this is like the partners expanding their own factory."
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2023-11-30
HUIZHOU FLYBIKE SPORTS EQUIPMENT CO.,LTD
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