09/17/2012

Simufact and Schuler SMG enter technology partnership

The combined know-how of the companies enables advanced forging processes for the entire process chain

Simufact Engineering GmbH, a global operating software and service company for process simulation in the manufacturing industry, and Schuler SMG GmbH & Co. KG, Schuler Group’s center of excellence for hydraulic press systems and market leader in the manufacturing of hydraulic forming machines, have entered a technology partnership. The main purpose of the co-operation is the adaption of Simufact’s simulation programs to the hydraulic machines of Schuler SMG. Companies in the forging industry will benefit especially from the technology partnership, since they are now, based on this solution, able to simulate entire process chains on their Schuler SMG machines. The partnership between Simufact and Schuler SMG was signed mid September during the in-house exhibition INFORMlive in Waghäusel, Germany.

With the acquisition of a Schuler SMG forming machine the customers can now purchase a process-specific, integrated software solution, with which they can map and optimize the holistic manufacturing process in their computer. To do this, the Simufact simulation software will be adjusted to the Schuler SMG machines to simulate multi-stage forming processes within the process chain with a maximum accuracy. The integration of additional functionalities enables the seamless communication between the machine control system, the overall production line control system, and process planning. The simulation of the manufacturing processes opens up new ways to optimize forming strategies and tooling geometries. The required development time for new components will be notably shortened and the process safety will increase. This leads to an optimal use of resources and lower component costs.

“With Simufact we have a strong partner in the area of process simulation for complex forming processes”, says Arnd Kulaczewski, Managing Director Schuler SMG GmbH & Co. KG. “The integrated and tailored Simufact simulation environment will help our customers to exploit the capabilities of their Schuler machines even more.”

“The partnership with Schuler SMG opens a high innovation potential,” says Michael Wohlmuth, CEO Simufact Engineering GmbH. “To optimize advanced manufacturing processes it is important to integrate the entire process chain – the combination of multi-stage production lines and software based simulation is the best way to increase quality and efficiency.”

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