SCHULER SUPPLIES FULLY AUTOMATED AND TURNKEY PRODUCTION LINE COMPLETELY
FROM A SINGLE SOURCE
Waghäusel, 26.08.2013 – Schuler SMG displayed the latest developments
in hydraulic press technology at an in-house show held in Waghäusel in
mid-July. Just under 100 visitors from Germany and abroad were able to
see two drawing presses for automated manufacture of high-precision
gearbox components, as well as a universal press for manual production
of various parts. The highpoint of the in-house show, during which
various technical papers were also presented, involved a presentation of
a fully automated production line for the famous German chainsaw
manufacturer, Stihl.
"Schuler is supplying the entire machine itself," explains CEO Dr.
Martin Habert: "From the coil line to the blanking and stamping press,
through to the automatic unstacking station." The line, about 25 meters
in length, is intended for Stihl Incorporated in the US town of Virginia
Beach. It will be used for making the blades of chainsaws from highly
heat-treated tool steel in various sizes and lengths – referred to in
the business as chainsaw bars. They are composed of right and left-hand
outside parts, an inside part as well as what is referred to as the
sprocket that transports the chain with the saw teeth.
But what actually happens inside the machine? The process starts with
the twin-headed decoiler where the sheet is unreeled from the coil and
then passes through the leveling machine and the roll feed. In the next
step, it is stamped out by a hydraulic 500-tonne press type SH
500-1.2x0.8. The slide force then cuts the bar. The remaining sheet
metal passes through the chopper and finally ends up in the scrap waste
container.
14 MONTHS FROM RECEIPT OF ORDER TO DELIVERY
However, the parts still have further travel ahead of them: the next
station is a hydraulic 250-tonne stamping press (SH 250-1.2x0.8) which
gives the chainsaw bar its final shape. Finally, a marking press punches
in the batch number before a linear portal with a double gripper stacks
the parts. This enables a magazine change to be performed during
production. As a result, interventions in the system are possible
without any interruptions in production.
Only 14 months elapsed between the receipt of the order and the planned
delivery at the end of August: "This is a result of close and efficient
cooperation between Design, Production and Project Management," says CEO
Dr. Martin Habert. However, Schuler will remain a point of contact for
Stihl even after commissioning, which is planned for early November: The
press manufacturer's US subsidiary based in Canton, Michigan, will also
look after the machine's service requirements.
