The Chism Company, San Antonio/Austin TX

System In Use

CT-126" Plotter/Cutter, 50' long Phillocraft vacuum table

Application

Awnings, Canopies, Tension Structures

Story

Chism Companyis recognized throughout the awning and shade sail industry as a leader in innovation, automation, and customer service. Since 1951, this 3rd generation family owned and managed company has provided been a leader in applying technology to create better products, faster. In 2005 they adopted a Carlson Design plotter/cutter and have since virtually eliminated scissors from their cutting room. They use AutoCAD to draw even the smallest jobs, "saving 3-4 hrs" per day. "Cutting becomes a one person operation. It's not 2 people reaching across the table -- everything is square and true in this automated world."

Results

With automated cutting, The Chism Company has "converted skilled labor into simple machine operation". Using youtube videos they created an AutoCAD training program and, in one week, had new hires making real product from scratch with no awning experience. That's because, "it's simple to do everyday work on one of these tables". They even plot frame layout on paper patterns for their welding shop. 

Roy Chism says, "The Wider the Better"! (referencing model widths)
Ryan Chism says, "Don't have your most valuable person be your bottle neck."