Product category:
Press shop and sheet metal working automation, slitting, shearing
News Release from: AP and T AB, Automation, Press and Tooling | Subject: Power press automation
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 31 October 2006
Modernise and automate power press
working
Swedish press manufacturer advocates everything from building entirely new factories to breathing 'new life' into existing power press systems using modern automation.
At the recent EuroBLECH exhibition booth of AP and T - the Swedish manufacturer of automation, presses and tools - the focus was on customers who are investing in technology to handle increasingly tough competition This includes everything from building entirely new factories to breathing new life into existing press systems using modern automation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 Aug 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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There are many examples of technological investments that have increased competitiveness and AP and T had its new generation of automation and the new press model 'Oden' waiting in 'the wings'.
"The new generation of automation and presses are now on-site at many customer locations and are already in full production".
"So far we have had a very positive response from customers who have used our solutions to increase their efficiency, even beyond what we guaranteed," said Per-Arne Mattsson, product manager for AP and T's Advanced Automation Division.
Further reading
Presses operate as two separate units or link line
The press line for a heating systems manufacturer is laid out for maximum flexibility and can be operated as two separate press cells, or as a linked press line for multiple press operations.
Press delivered for thixoforming research
For further research into thixoforming of metals - of growing automotive industry interest - a specialised power press has been delivered to the University of Liege.
Toolmaker to benefit from versatile tryout presses
All five ram cylinders and four cushion cylinders can be independently set and controlled in four hydraulic tool-try-out presses delivered by AP and T in Sweden to Horst Matzner in Germany.
Flexible multi-purpose solutions - over the past two years, AP and T has increased the efficiency and capacity of several customers within many different industries.
One example of a company that depends on large capacity and high flexibility is the subcontractor ScanPress in Horsens, Denmark.
AP and T has delivered an average of more than one press per year to ScanPress over the past five years and now the pace is increasing even more.
Their recent additions include a 1250 tonf (1.25MN) press with large press blanks as a specialty and a 400 tonf (4000kN) press with SpeedFeeder automation for the production of plate heat exchangers.
The 4000kN press can be quickly modified for other types of production as it becomes necessary.
AP and T has also taken full responsibility for delivering a complete 500 tonf (5000kN) mechanical press line with accompanying automation, where the mechanical press and coil feeder are purchased from subcontractors.
The entire line is controlled by AP and T's control system.
"This is a very flexible multi-purpose system that will be able to be used to produce components for both the automotive industry as well as for forestry machinery," said Peter Karlsson at AP and T Denmark.
* One press instead of five - a good example of effectively investing in automation technology can be seen at Grundfos, an AP and T customer in Denmark who manufactures pumps.
AP and T delivered a new system consisting of a multi-slide press and automation equipment, which with the help of a fully automatic tool change system, can press seven different pump blanks.
This modern press line does the same job that previously required five manually run presses.
* Technology strengthens competitiveness - one of AP and T's customers in Estonia - a manufacturer of exhaust systems for the automotive industry - is now facing new challenges.
Estonia used to have low labor costs, but an increasingly strong economy in the country is quickly changing the situation.
This brings about the temptation to move production to other countries with lower production costs.
But instead, AP and T's customer is investing in modern, efficient press equipment to increase capacity and competitiveness.
"It is satisfying to be able to help customers strengthen their position by investing in technology instead of moving production," said Jan Jonasson, regional manager for AP and T.
* Long-range vision provides benefits - SWEP, a manufacturer of heat exchangers, selected AP and T as the supplier of two complete press lines for soldered heat exchangers.
The new lines are expected to be fully operational in Q4 of this year at the company's newly built factory in Slovakia.
SWEP already has a large number of press lines from AP and T.
"Renewed trust is always energizing, and by working closely together over several years, we become the responsible partner who is both familiar with the customer's situation and who can create the best conditions for competing," said Kenneth Carlsson, Division chief for AP and T Press Systems.
* New product programme - AP and T recently introduced a completely new generation of press automation.
It provides increased capacity, ease of service, and reduced energy consumption as compared to the previous generation.
In the spring of 2006, the company also presented the Oden multi-purpose press, which is the first of a renewed product programme for hydraulic presses.
Oden has a quick installation time, increased flexibility, better accessibility and improved ease of service over earlier press generations.
* One responsible partner - AP and T designs, manufactures and markets automation, presses, tools and complete production lines for the sheet metal forming industry.
We are experts in forming technology and automated flows and can supply complete solutions where we assume total responsibility as the supplier - a concept we call 'One Responsible Partner'.
We are present in 20 markets around the world through marketing companies and agents.
AP and T has its own sales and service companies in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, UK, Japan and USA.
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