FOCUS ON PRESSES mechanical cutting . This enables designers and manufacturing engineers to work more freely without considering costly reinforcements , cycle-time-intensive hardening processes or other tailored solutions . TemperBox ® has been industrialised by AP & T , together with Gedia .
“ TemperBox ® makes it possible to combine hard and soft zones in one and the same structural part , thereby creating new possibilities for innovative design and making the next generation of vehicles lighter and safer . The fact that one of the world ’ s foremost automotive manufacturers – Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen – has now chosen our solution for partial press hardening as their technology of choice is certainly positive ,” said Achim Krauß , Area Sales Manager , AP & T in Germany .
The TemperBox ® will be used in test manufacturing several different parts , a process that demands flexibility . AP & T ’ s capabilities have also been put to the test , even in the design of the physical installation . Part of the test was getting the equipment to fit into the limited space of the existing press area . AP & T ’ s Multi-Layer Furnace , one layer of which consists of the TemperBox ® module , helped resolve the space issue .
The blank to be formed is transported from a loading station to one of the ‘ usual ’ furnace layers with the help of a four-axis SpeedFeeder . After being heated to about 900 degrees , the blank is transferred to the TemperBox ® module for partial cooling . It then moves on to be fed and formed in the press tool .
“ We have closely collaborated to design a solution that meets practical and technical needs and that will make a meaningful contribution to developing the vehicles of the future ,” said Achim Krauß at AP & T .
Volvo Car Body Components in Olofström , Sweden , has also ordered two new Multi-Layer Furnaces from AP & T to produce presshardened automotive components . Installation is planned for summer 2022 .
For Volvo Car Body Components , the investment gives it a better platform to meet the need for press-hardened sheet metal parts that contribute to reduced weight and greater passenger safety . The new Multi- Layer Furnaces will be integrated into one of the existing press hardening lines that AP & T delivered to Volvo in Olofström in 2015 / 2016 . AP & T was responsible for all integrated equipment in that order , except for the actual furnaces .
Achim Krauß , Area Sales Manager , AP & T in Germany .
AP & T servo-hydraulic press line .
“ The investment increases our furnace capacity , which offers the opportunity to manufacture larger volumes and gives us greater flexibility in production . We are also gaining a more energy-efficient process , at the same time , that contributes to more sustainable production ,” said Jonas Claesson , project manager and maintenance engineer at Volvo Cars Body Components .
Hot forming aluminium parts
Globally active producer of metal components , fischer Group , chose AP & T ’ s solution for hot forming of high-strength aluminium parts . The technology enables cost-effective production of complex designed components of various aluminium alloys ( 6000 and 7000 ). The technology has won several prestigious awards , including the Altair Enlighten Award and the SIQ Quality Innovation Award .
By replacing conventional sheet metal with high-strength aluminium , component weight can be reduced by up to 40 per cent without compromising on strength . This also lays the foundation for the increasing use of this type of material in cars , jets and other applications for reducing energy consumption and increasing safety .
“ The modular system allows us to adapt line output to increases in required capacity . The servo-hydraulic press is a step forward in achieving energy efficient production to optimize the CO 2 footprint of forming technologies ,” said Hans-Peter Fischer , CEO of the fischer Group .
A complete , fully automatic high-strength aluminium hot forming production line from AP & T become commercially operational at fischer group ’ s facility in southern Germany ’ s Achern last summer . The equipment includes AP & T ’ s servo-hydraulic press for high-precision forming control throughout the press cycle . The press is also considerably more energyefficient than conventional hydraulic presses .
“ The line will initially be used for small and medium-sized manufacturing volumes but , thanks to the flexibility of our modular system of standard components , it will be possible to expand the line and scale-up production at pace with demand ,” added Christian Koroschetz , Chief Sales Officer , AP & T .
The line features a destacker ; marking station ; convection multi-layer furnace ; furnace feeder ; water-cooled forming and quenching tools ; servo-hydraulic press with integrated lubrication system for tools ; transfer automation for press load and unload plus ageing furnaces .
Automation equipment
Tenere , a North American manufacturer of custom mechanicals for tech companies , has expanded its operations in Monterrey , Mexico , with a new production facility for metal part forming . AP & T will supply the automation .
The heart of the facility is a fully automated multi-press line for forming metal parts such as large panels and chassis for server racks and other Information and Communications Technology ( ICT ) products . AP & T has taken on delivery , installation , integration and commissioning of all automation equipment included in the line . The start of production is planned for the first quarter of 2022 .
AP & T is supplying automation for a new press line at Tenere ’ s production facility in Monterrey , Mexico .
“ This investment will not only provide Tenere with new capabilities , stamping larger parts that we currently have to produce by other means , but also increase capacity in our stamping operations ,” explained Tenere ’ s Jeff Lunda , Director of Engineering , Tooling & Stamping .
The AP & T undertaking includes a complete solution for quick , continuous blank feeding and four linear robots – SpeedFeeders – used to move blanks and components through the entire forming process . The SpeedFeeders are fully programmable on all axes and independent of each other , which allows easy introduction of new dies to the line . The line is also equipped with an AP & T electrical safety system .
The operator ’ s interface to the line is a panel similar to a PC with Windows-based software , which allows full control of the individual machines in the line and easy troubleshooting and communication .
“ We have recognized the benefit of automation in several areas of our manufacturing facilities and are excited to add this enhancement to our stamping operations ,” concluded Jeff Lunda at Tenere . n
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