CNC MACHINING FOR THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY: FOR A MORE EFFICIENT FUTURE

Whether you’re new to CNC machining for the agriculture industry or you’re well-versed in making precision parts for the sector, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Fewer farmers means more equipment.

As mentioned above, there is more agricultural output being done by fewer farmers. This is leading to the increased mechanization of farms, and forecasted growth for the remainder of the decade in key agricultural equipment categories. Get ready to ramp up production as equipment OEMs need more machined components to fill orders.

Today’s farmer craves efficiency.

Throw away any stereotypes you carry about luddites who are disconnected from the outside world. Modern farmers embrace any technology and data that lets them make wise decisions on what to plant and how to fertilize. Their equipment is rapidly evolving to meet these needs, and OEMs are looking for advanced CNC machine shops to help them deliver.

New powertrains.

There’s no getting around it: agriculture uses lots of diesel fuel in crop production. But manufacturers of off-highway engines are rapidly deploying new alternatives, including biofuels, hybrid powertrains, and even fully electric options. Regulatory pressure as well as government incentives are accelerating this trend, and opportunities for smart CNC shops to help provide components for these powertrains abound.

It’s vital to be prepared to take advantage of current opportunities and ready your business for the future. First, invest in the right machining technology. In the agriculture industry, the right machine tools and processes make machine shops soar. When you’re adding new equipment, don’t just look at increasing your capacity, but augment your shop floor with machines that can help you maintain flexibility and increase output while not dramatically increasing the need for new staff in this challenging hiring market.

Second, partner with companies that have plowed these fields before. Consider this a fairly obvious plug for Ellison Technologies. We’ve been around since 1955 and have a long track record in helping the agriculture industry achieve its goals. We work with our carefully cultivated list of vendor partners to bring tailored agriculture machining technology and turnkey solutions to your shop floor. Ellison has offices in 16 cities staffed with applications engineers that are ready to help you Make More.

You’ve Heard of Farm-To-Table. This is Table-To-Farm.

The agriculture industry needs machined parts that stand the test of time, and strong parts require rigid machines. Here is a sample of a few applications and the technology that we provide our customers to help make them, as well as some additional considerations to keep in mind.