08/09/2012

Always one step ahead

Schuler presents new presses and transfer lines as well as solutions to raise energy efficiency at EuroBLECH fair in Hanover from October 23 to 27

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Schuler servo press MSD 630

For the sheet metal forming industry, the EuroBLECH in Hanover, Germany, from October 23 to 27, 2012 is the world’s largest trade fair and a must-attend event. This also applies to Schuler, the world’s leading manufacturer of presses and automation solutions. “Our customers rightly expect the ultimate in innovation from us and our products,” says Board member Dr. Markus Ernst. “At this year’s EuroBLECH, we will once again be underlining our leading technological position in metalforming under the motto ‘Going ahead. Being Beyond’.”

Next-generation automation

Visitors to the EuroBLECH will be able to experience at first hand just what the latest transfer solutions look like and what benefits they bring – such as the new Crossbar Robot for fast and reliable part transport, for example in completely modular press lines. “This enables customers to get the maximum performance from their equipment,” states Stephan Mergner, the Head of the Technology Field Automation.

And with minimum consumption: for all its products, Schuler attaches great importance to optimized energy efficiency. This is demonstrated, for example, by the intelligent stand-by and pause modes developed for large-scale machines: it automatically starts up all necessary units just before the planned end of the pause so that production can resume without delay and at full speed. The new Energy Saving Cushion (SEC) was also developed and tested for large equipment and saves up to 50 percent of energy requirements compared to conventional draw cushion technology. Schuler is also introducing energy passes for its products which state consumption according to operating mode and production rate.

Forming processes for lightweight construction

Minimal fuel consumption is also an increasingly important topic for cars: vehicles have to become lighter if they are to reduce their impact on the environment – irrespective of whether they are powered by combustion engines or electric motors. “Schuler offers technologies and automated press systems for all major forming processes used in lightweight manufacturing,” states Manfred Wischnewski, Head of the Technology Field Hydraulic Presses. The Group offers unique systems expertise in this field.

Lightweight forming processes include hot forging, so-called press hardening, and the forming of high-strength steels, aluminum and high-strength profiles with the aid of the hydroforming process. The forming of synthetic materials, such as carbon composites (CFRPs), is also growing in importance. Visitors to Schuler’s stand at the EuroBLECH can also discover just what such parts look like and how light they really are.

Presses featuring Schuler’s self-developed ServoDirect Technology (SDT) – which has now become the industry standard since its launch five years ago – can not only form high-strength steels, but also enable the economic integration of downstream processes into the forming process. “This means that customers can also form threads within a single pass of the press,” explains Axel Meyer, Head of the Technology Field Stamping & Cutting. “Two or more production steps are reduced to one, thus significantly lowering process costs.”

Tailored services

But even the best technology is useless if it is not used or maintained properly: Schuler Service will therefore be presenting new, customizable service products at the EuroBLECH.

In a series of focus presentations every hour at the Schuler Forum, EuroBLECH visitors will be able to learn even more about the latest developments and solutions for metalforming technology from the company’s own forming specialists. The Schuler Group will be presenting its wide range of products and services in Hall 27, Stand D40.

The press conference on Schuler’s presence at the EuroBLECH Hanover is planned for Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 1 p.m. in the Convention Center.