FOCUS ON LEVELLING
Skeleton World Champion 2021 , Christopher Grotheer . Photo : IBSF .
Photo : IBSF .
The longitudinal and transverse struts , as well as the base panels of the frame , are levelled before assembly . Photo : FES .
To protect the material to be levelled from contamination , the machines are thoroughly cleaned at regular intervals in the KOHLER levelling centre .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE
before assembly to meet high requirements for straightness and accuracy , and to eliminate tension in the material . However , this step is not performed in-house at FES .
“ We build around eight sleds per season for our athletes . With such quantities , it is not economically viable to purchase a leveller ,” explained Zerbe . “ Furthermore , we work with many different thicknesses and demanding high-strength materials , which also requires a high degree of flexibility from the levelling technology .”
KOHLER has been a technology partner of FES since 2020 . The company , based at Lahr in the Black Forest , Germany , is not only a leading manufacturer of part levelling machines and strip feeding lines for industry but also offers contract levelling as a flexible service at its own levelling centre . An extensive range of machinery and experienced employees enable the company to fulfil even highly complex or short-term orders .
Flexibility in focus
KOHLER ’ s levelling centre has seven part-levelling machines of different sizes . Each of these Peak Performer machines is designed for different dimensions and thicknesses . This means that the necessary flexibility is available for all requirements , including the broad range of parts covered by FES .
“ The machines boast equipment such as hydraulicfree direct drives : this makes them particularly energyefficient , while also suitable for levelling larger cross-sections . The patented electromechanical levelling gap control keeps the levelling gap constant , even when it comes to complex parts with changing cross sections made of high-strength materials . Extra-wide supporting rollers also provide particularly rigid support for the levelling rollers , which ensures a reliable and precise process ,” KOHLER told ISMR .
To protect the material to be levelled from contamination , the machines are thoroughly cleaned at regular intervals in the company ’ s levelling centre . A major benefit is the Peak Performer ’ s advanced cleaning system , which
KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH develops and produces part levelling machines and strip feeding lines for presses and automatic stamping machines , as well as cut-to-length lines . It offers innovative solutions such as trendsetting drive concepts and ideas such as dispensing with hydraulic systems on its part levelling machines .
Its headquarters and production facility are at Lahr in southern Germany , with further sites for sales and service in Beijing / Shanghai ( China ), Moscow ( Russia ) and Salt Lake City ( USA ).
allows supporting rollers and levelling rollers to be cleaned quickly and easily .
“ This is particularly important when machining high-tech components , such as our sled parts , because any scratch or dirt can have serious repercussions later on ,” emphasised Zerbe . “ The quality of the parts we receive from KOHLER is always high .”
The skeleton project manager expressed his satisfaction with his new technology partner and the contract levelling results .
“ The struts and base panels of our sleds exhibit a very high degree of precision after levelling , even with long lengths and different material grades ,” he summed up . “ We can use this to simplify the next assembly process because we are required to perform significantly less manual rework .”
Levelling can almost entirely eliminate tension in the material . “ Our athletes therefore benefit from very clear advantages in competition because they can use the best possible equipment ,” Zerbe reported , adding : “ We are already carrying out levelling tests with KOHLER on luges too , so there will be further collaboration in this area in the near future .” n
. kohler-germany . com
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