EDITOR’S CHOICE
PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT
WDS
Durable components demanded for Bombardier train assembly line
KM Tools Ltd has selected WDS
Component Parts Ltd to supply the
carbody manufacturing facility for its
prestigious project for the UK’s leading train
manufacturer, Bombardier Transportation.
WDS has provided component parts for the
jigs and fixtures deployed in Bombardier’s
carbody manufacturing facility by KM Tools.
KM Tools made the selection based on
product durability, ease of selection and
service.
Bombardier’s site in Derby is the UK’s
only train manufacturing facility, designing
and building AVENTRA electric multiple
unit trains for UK operators. Their carbody
facility manufactures key components; the
underframe, roof and body sides. Within the
welding facility, jigs and fixtures are used to
hold the sections of train sub-assemblies
in place during the welding process. KM
Tools selected WDS to provide a variety of
component parts used within the assembly
jigs and fixtures based on high product
reliability and service efficiency.
“Bombardier is very important for KM Tools
because of the scale of the project,” says
Adrian Degg, Engineering Director at KM
Tools Ltd. “Manufacturing equipment for
specialist production lines such as Derby
means that we need high confidence in the
components we use in our assembly jigs.
Supplying OEM customers like Bombardier,
where time to market is key, also means
that we need efficient suppliers. We’ve
worked with WDS for eight years and
they were our natural choice to provide
component parts for this high-profile
project.”
WDS provided a variety of components
for the jigs and fixtures including locating
pins, latches, swing clamps, toggle clamps,
indexing plungers, hinges, knobs and
handles. It’s crucial that product quality
is high, especially where many of the
components are used in demanding
conditions on a daily basis, such as
indexing plungers. Where extra durability is
required, some of the components selected
are constructed from hardened materials.
Depending on where the component
will be used, resistance to corrosion is
KM Tools selected WDS to provide a variety
of component parts used within the assembly
jigs and fixtures based on high product
reliability and service efficiency.
also important, for example if the area is
frequently lubricated and where soap is
used to clean lubrication away. For this
reason, KM Tools selected stainless or mild
steel as the material of choice, chemically
blackened where required to increase
resistance to corrosion.
“We’ve always found that WDS component
perform impeccably in terms of reliability,”
says Adrian. “This is especially important to
us and a reason for working with them. Any
component failure would risk the uptime of
our customers, so it’s key for the reputation
of KM Tools’ as a manufacturer of high
quality equipment.”
Stock availability and delivery time is an
important consideration for KM Tools,
especially when projects involve large
OEMs such as Bombardier where higher
product volumes can be required for
delivery within 24 hours.
“WDS carries a broad stock range and
invariably supplies the component we
need. Delivery time is very important for us,
especially where we may order 100 units of
a particular item, and WDS has a stock level
which can fulfil our needs,” Adrian notes.
In order to select the right component,
KM Tools’ engineers have a complete
understanding of their required
specification. Therefore, what they
need is fast, clear access to component
specification in order to make their choice.
Adrian explains that all the information
required to make a rapid selection is
available on WDS’ website, including 3D
drawings which can be integrated into KM
Tools’ equipment design.
“When you’re designing an item such
as a jig, downloading and inserting the
3D model of the component makes the
process far easier and saves valuable time.”
A crucial aspect of procurement, Adrian
also explains that a reason for choosing
WDS is their approach to clear pricing,
which makes calculating project costs a
faster process, especially where multiple
units of a component are required.
“Pricing on the website is clear and easy to
calculate at outset, which means you don’t
have to spend time phoning the supplier
to find out the best price. Not all suppliers
present their costs online and it can save
a lot of time, particularly if you need clarity
on the cost of 100 units, rather than a single
unit or 10.”
KM Tools’ assembly line installation for
Bombardier came in ahead of deadline and
the company will continue to partner with
WDS for its ongoing maintenance work for
Bombardier’s Litchurch Lane plant.
“WDS are a very good company to
work with,” concludes Adrian. “The right
products, easy to select, good price and
fast availability.”
For further information, please visit www.wdsltd.co.uk
16 PECM Issue 46