In the last six months, business has been booming for Atlas Manufacturing. “We’ve never been busier in the history of Atlas,” says John Peterson, President of the Minneapolis-based precision sheet metal manufacturer. Atlas hosted Congressman Keith Ellison last week to talk about how turning to lean process improvement during the recession has helped the…

In an unassuming Minneapolis warehouse, brake press operators form doors that will enclose a computer worthy of NASA scientists. Sparks fly as expert welders fuse together the casing for a 3-D modeling machine. Nearby, workers in the paint area spray finishing touches on the shell for an electronic highway message sign. From cash door fronts…

Friendship is serious business at Atlas Manufacturing. Atlas keeps a rigorous schedule, during the economic downturn, the company never changed its production schedule. On Fridays last summer and fall, when other companies would shut down or operate with a skeleton crew, Atlas kept its pace. It was business as usual. And since January 2009 they…

  Continuous operation is achieved through a new automated material handling system, optimizing high-speed laser cutting and punching operations. Atlas has installed a twin tower Stopa TKL automated material storage and retrieval system. Reaching seventeen feet high and containing 39 storage positions, this custom configuration was designed by Trumpf automation engineers to effortlessly move raw…

  Atlas has been using laser cutters since 1993 and now has entered the third generation of technology since installing their first laser. Laser cutting technology continues to evolve as new sources are developed for beam generation and delivery. The evolution has resulted in improved cut quality and speed. What matters the most are the…

  Atlas has developed a team of designers for customized engineering and production of kiosks. Capabilities include unique materials and finishes along with single or multiple touch screens. Completely fabricated, finished, and assembled on-site, Atlas is a turn-key solution for kiosk development and production. Tabletop, pedestal, and large footprint multi-monitor designs are conceived by working…

  Sure, times are lean and production demand is lower than 2008’s record pace. To secure business in these challenging times, you need your suppliers to respond with a sense of urgency. In reality, customers now need precision sheet metal parts with shorter lead-times than ever before. Responding to the aggressive needs of your customers…

  Atlas Manufacturing announces the launch of the MAXFORM hydraulic press brake from Cincinnati Incorporated. The MAXFORM combines state-of-the-art forming speeds and part processing productivity with “smart” controls that speed and simplify programming, setup and part-handling. MAXFORM’s industrial PC-based touch screen control and Windows® software eliminate two-thirds of the programming steps with conventional CNC controls,…

  Atlas Manufacturing announces the launch of its new automated punching center. Atlas has installed a Trumpf TruPunch 5000 with full load and unload features. This state-of-the-art machine can handle up to 60” by 120” sheets. This new punching center comes equipped with many special tools such as extrude and tap to eliminate expensive hardware,…