GENERAL NEWS
Press line relocation from Brazil to Thailand
A press line that Schuler relocated from Brazil to Thailand for car manufacturer , Ford , has completed the journey halfway around the world . The four-stage line , with a total press force of 6,100 metric tons , was completely dismantled at the Camaçari site on the Atlantic coast , shipped and finally reassembled at the Rayong plant in Thailand within four months . There , the high-speed tandem line now forms body parts for Ford models in the Asian and Australian markets .
The line consists of a 2,500-ton head press , a 1,600-ton follow-up press and two further follow-up presses , each with a press force of 1,000 tons . The scope of delivery also included adapting the entire electrical system to the power supply at the new location and replacing it , if necessary , as well as modernising the conveyor system .
The press line was manufactured and installed by Prensas Schuler Brazil ( PSB ) in 2011 and made approximately 18 million strokes at the Camaçari plant in the north-east of the country .
“ This was the largest service project in our history ,” confirmed Fábio Fernandes , Business Unit Manager , PSB Service .
Dismantling began in October 2022 after Schuler had received the order in May , and the components arrived in Thailand three months
Within four months , Schuler reassembled the press line ( left ) at Ford ’ s plant in Rayong , Thailand . Image : © Schuler .
later . On-site installation started in April 2023 , when the construction site was prepared , and was completed in August 2023 . Acceptance followed in October , and the tandem line has been in production at the Rayong plant ever since . On the four-stage line at the new location , Ford has been producing body parts for the Asian and Australian markets since October 2023 .
Ford ’ s wholly owned and joint-venture operations in Thailand currently employ around 9,000 people . The company ’ s growth and success in Thailand is being driven by the Ranger pickup truck and the mid-sized Everest SUV . The total production capacity of the Ford Thailand Manufacturing ( FTM ) facility in Rayong is 135,000 units per year .
Schuler offers customised technology in
all areas of forming , from the networked press to press shop planning . Its products include automation , dies , process expertise and service for the metalworking industry . Presses from the Schuler Group mint coins for more than 180 countries . Founded in 1839 in Göppingen , Germany , Schuler has approx . 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe , China and the Americas , as well as service companies in over 40 countries . The company is part of the international technology group , ANDRITZ . n
www
. ford . co . th / en /
www . schulergroup . com
Innovation in focus at Wire and Tube 2024
Trade fairs for the wire , cable , tube and pipe industries will be staged from 15-19 April 2024 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany . Trend fora , expert meetings and themed pavilions for stainless steel ; hydrogen ; other regenerative energy carriers ; separating and cutting , plastic pipes and tubes plus finished products for fastener and spring-making technologies will be in focus . Some 2,600 exhibitors over more than 119,000 square metres of net exhibition space are expected to attend .
“ For the first time , the innovations showcased by industry players in the exhibition halls will be accompanied by an extensive programme of supporting events tuned to the market on all five days ,” the show organiser , Messe Düsseldorf , told ISMR . With 1,200 exhibitors over 52,000 occupied square metres in eight exhibition halls , Tube Düsseldorf 2024 is ready for take-off in April . The trade fair represents the entire process chain of the tube and pipe industry and is supported by trade associations such as the BDS ( the trade association for German steel distribution ) and ITA ( the International Tube Association ).
“ Sustainability and energy efficiency are even more in focus this year . Daily ecoMetal trails touring the exhibition halls are aimed at convincing visitors of our exhibitors ’ novel , clean production methods ,” the show organiser , explained .
In addition to the classic themes , such as machinery and equipment for wire , cable and tube production , processing and end products , Wire and Tube places a strong focus on topics such as stainless steel , hydrogen , plastic tubes , cutting and slitting technologies as well as e-mobility . n
www . wire-tradefair . com
www . tube-tradefair . com
8 | ismr . net | ISMR April 2024