11/20/2007
Schuler profits from growth of Chinese car industry and wins two contracts from GKN
The growth rates of China’s car manufacturing industry are impressive. For the domestic market alone, experts are forecasting unbroken double-digit growth over the coming years. According to statistics of industry associations, such as the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), suppliers can expect even faster growth with annual rates in excess of 30 percent. One key reason for this growth are the investments being made by foreign suppliers and among those benefiting from the trend is the German-based Schuler Group. SDS-GKN, a joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and GKN Driveline, recently awarded Schuler contracts for the supply of a new eccentric press and the relocation and expansion of an existing line.
SDS-GKN has been producing constant velocity jointed (CVJ) sideshafts on a Schuler Forgemaster press in Shanghai since 2001. As part of a strategic investment to expand capacities, SDS-GKN has now decided to install a further system supplied by the Göppingen-based press specialists. The MME 2-2000 multi-station press with eccentric drive and a press force of 20,000 kN is to start operation in August 2008 in a completely new facility. Schuler will subsequently relocate and extensively upgrade the existing line to this new facility.
Press design guarantees extremely tight tolerances for the warm forming of near-net-shape parts
The decision in favor of a further Schuler press was helped by the high availability and quality of the company’s existing line. SDS-GKN produces near-net-shape parts in Shanghai at a warm temperature of up to 900 °C. The relatively high thermal and mechanical loads place exceedingly high demands on the dies with integrated cooling and lubrication. The MME2 is designed specifically for such requirements. Thanks to Schuler’s special T-shaped slide guidance there is only a minimum amount of gib clearance – a decisive prerequisite for manufacturing parts with complex geometries. The press frame is particularly strong and features a welded body construction. The compact dimensions and 2-point mounting of the slide guarantee high system rigidity and tilting resistance. The steep kinematic gradients of the drive’s mechanical system also allow short pressure dwell times and thus raise die service life, as the reduced heat input reliably prevents the die material from becoming brittle or burning out.
Slide locking for maximum safety
A slide locking feature integrated into the press control system ensures maximum safety for the machine operators. The slide can be locked in any position, thus preventing any undesired slide movement e.g. during work in the die area. The MME2 is also extremely user-friendly with regard to its design and control software. This ensures short tryout and die-changing times as well as low service and maintenance effort.
Schuler MME: optimal solutions for a wide part spectrum
The presses of the MME2 range are available with a variety of nominal press forces between 6,300 and 40,000 kN and can be used for both cold and warm forming, as well as for precision forging. The large die area makes it possible to produce complex parts with up to six die stations. The system is rounded out by an extensive range of transfer and tool-changing systems, as well as press peripherals.
To top of page
Print page