SHEET METAL
The leveler for this thick coil is a joint development of BPW and Schuler.
on the coil – and thus using the coil’s full width is absolutely essential. “To ensure that the main product and subsidiary products drop out of the press in perfect condition, we not only need high blanking forces but also good guidance of the coil along the line,” explains Schmidt. Whether at the beginning, end or middle of the coil, thick coil stock must always enter the die in the correct position. The task of the leveler is therefore to balance out any bends and cambers. “At the time, there were no solutions on the market and so we decided to develop one together with Schuler,” explains the engineering graduate. According to Schmidt, the new equipment not only enabled BPW to raise output but also machine availability. “This is equally important as our production flow is highly integrated and we produce ‘just in time’. We would need huge storage and inventory levels to compensate for a line which doesn’t meet our requirements. We therefore looked for a reliable line with high availability and wanted to work with a company which can truly solve any technical problems we might have.” BPW’s new press center
helped take productivity to a new dimension: “Compared to the past, we more than doubled stroking speeds, and the higher tonnage meant that output volumes were more than quadrupled. In a good shift, we used to produce 3,500 to 4,000 mass produced parts – today, the figure is more like 16,000,” reports Schmidt. At the same time, the accuracy – and thus quality – of the parts has improved, as tolerances have been reduced from three millimeters to 0.5 millimeters: “This means we no longer have to check dimensions and rework or reject parts. Thanks to the specific machine configuration and consistent development of the interplay between die and machine, we also gained extra capacity. As a result, we no longer just produce parts for our own products but can take on outside orders, including finishing work like KTL coating.” And how does Hartmut Schmidt
himself judge the production line’s performance after several years of working with it? “There are always teething problems with projects like this – and especially with new developments. The important thing though is that you have a contact partner
The new equipment enabled BPW to raise the output and quality of its running gear components significantly.
who can always help you solve such problems. This is what we ourselves promise as a reliable partner for the transport industry – finding solutions together with our clients. And Schuler really provided great support in all situations. This partnership is ultimately what helped us achieve such success.”
More information: Schuler Automation GmbH & Co. KG Louis-Schuler-Str. 1 91039 Hessdorf, Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 91 35 715-264 Fax: +49 (0) 91 35 715-44264
feeding@schulergroup.com www.schulergroup.com
About the Schuler Group –
www.schulergroup.com Schuler is the technological and global market leader in forming equipment. The company offers cutting edge presses, automation, dies, process know-how and services for the entire metal forming industry and lightweight vehicle construction. Its clients include car manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as companies in the forging, household equipment, packaging, energy and electrical industries. Schuler is the market leader in coin minting presses and supplies systems solutions for the aerospace, railway and large pipe industries. In fiscal year 2014, Schuler posted sales of € 1.18 billion. With around 5,400 employees, Schuler is represented in 40 countries and is a member of the Austrian ANDRITZ Group.
About BPW Bergische Achsen KG –
www.bpw.de Headquartered in Wiehl, Germany, BPW is a reliable international mobility and system partner for the transport industry and offers innovative solutions from a single source. The portfolio ranges from axles, suspension systems, brake technologies, closure systems, body technology, lighting systems and plastic technologies through to user- friendly telematics applications for trucks and trailers. The BPW Group’s technologies and services create the highest transparency in loading and transport processes and enable efficient fleet management. The owner-managed BPW Group has around 5,800 employees worldwide.
www.internationalmetaltube.com IMT September 2015 27
Photo source: Schuler
Photo source: Schuler
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