GENERAL NEWS
New press hardening lines for Wanhua Machinery
Wanhua Machinery in Wuxi outside Shanghai , China , is a rising star of press hardened parts in the Chinese market . Founded in 2000 , the family company currently has about 240 employees and has long been an established supplier of cold pressed parts to various international car manufacturers who operate in China , such as Volkswagen .
Recently , it decided to expand its business and invest strongly in new press hardening technology . Increasing customer demand for lighter , stronger parts that can contribute to lowering vehicle weight and , in turn , energy consumption and emissions , is what lies behind the investment . The result is two new manufacturing facilities in Wuxi , one of which is entirely dedicated to manufacturing press hardened structural parts .
In June 2018 , Wanhua contacted Swedish manufacturer AP & T which has been present in China for over ten years . The initial discussions soon resulted in orders of two turnkey press hardening lines . The first of the lines became operational in the new Wuxi factory in October 2019 and the second line became operational less than a year later . The line installations were completed by local AP & T suppliers .
Both press hardening lines are based on AP & T ’ s modular system of standard components . In addition to presses and automation equipment , tools and a tool exchange system are included . To meet the CQI-9 quality standard for car manufacturing , the lines are also equipped with advanced measurement and analysis tools in the form of cameras and pyrometers . Monitoring , control and diagnosis are all managed by a stand-alone system that delivers data to the overall process data log in line control . Each line has a manufacturing capacity of approx . 1.2 million strokes per year .
“ After a year of running the first line in
Wanhua ’ s equipment maintenance team and machine operators .
production , we feel safe in saying that it ’ s working really well not only in terms of operations but also in our collaboration with AP & T ’ s local team . We hope it will lead to new business ,” said Wanhua Machinery ’ s vice general manager , Qiu Qingpeng .
In spite of the coronavirus pandemic ’ s impact on the outlook of the global economy , Wanhua has a positive view of the future . It believes that there continues to be great potential for press hardened parts for car manufacturers in China . It is also preparing to invest in higher manufacturing capacity and further press hardening lines from AP & T . n
Don ’ t miss Blechexpo 2021
The latest technologies for sheet metal processing , metalworking and joining technology will be the focus of the 15th Blechexpo international trade fair for sheet metal processing . It will be held , together with the 8th Schweisstec international trade fair for joining technology , in Stuttgart , Germany , from 26-29 October 2021 .
The Blechexpo / Schweisstec trade fair showcases sheet metal processing and metalworking technologies , with joining technology , once every two years . Attention will be focused on stand-alone and system solutions for the process chains involving the fabrication of parts made from sheet metal , profiles and pipe , as well as associated thermal and mechanical processing ; cutting technologies ; processing machines ; equipment for punching , bending , braking and forming . It also includes system peripherals , such as controls and software , as well as solutions for handling and quality assurance .
“ Sheet metal processing companies face the challenge of networking their production departments to an ever greater extent in the future . Many suppliers from sheet metal processing , metalworking and joining technology view themselves as solution providers for the entire sheet metal fabrication process . They not only offer their own machines , software and services but , by working together with their partners , they are also able to offer holistic system solutions from a single source ,” said the show organiser .
Sheet metal specialist TRUMPF is taking this approach , confirmed Joachim Silber , Head of Corporate Marketing , Sales and Services , TRUMPF .
“ Together with Jungheinrich , we offer intralogistics solutions for sheet metal fabrication . This provides our customers with the advantage of ideally matched solutions . The issue of connectivity is at the very top
of the list for these companies – in terms of process engineering and digitally . Digital connectivity is not just one of today ’ s key trends , it will shape the future as well . Some of our machines today are working with artificial intelligence , and many more will do so in the future ,” he explained .
“ Digitalisation , sustainability , process efficiency and future-proof solutions in the face of a rapidly changing production environment are high-priority driving issues for the sheet metal processing industry . Great attention is also still focused on energy efficiency , advanced mechanical joining and fastening technologies because production is working to an ever greater extent with new plain and hybrid materials , for example within the context of lightweight design . Modern cutting technologies , such as highpressure waterjet cutting , will also be in the spotlight at Blechexpo / Schweisstec . All the grinding technology exhibitors will come together in hall 5 at the show ,” added the show organiser , P E Schall GmbH & Co . KG .
In 2019 , exhibitors from 36 countries and visitors from 113 nations attended the event . n
. blechexpo-messe . de
ISMR April 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 9