Promising start for Schuler automatic blanking press

At its site in Woldegk near Neubrandenburg, Germany, Lang Metallwaren produces stamped and deep-drawn parts in small and large series for customers such as BMW, Valeo and Webasto. As the products are becoming increasingly complex, the automotive supplier needs longer dies for the increasing number of forming steps – and therefore a press with a larger clamping surface. Since the beginning of this year, a Schuler MC 400 automatic blanking press with a table size of 3,000 to 1,400 millimeters has been in operation there in newly built hall.

And the start has been very promising: “For many parts we now achieve significantly higher output rates on the Schuler automatic blanking press,” reports Plant Manager Jörg Monsig. Although the products made of stainless steel and other heat-resistant metals are relatively small with an average size of 100 to 200 millimeters, they combine an increasing number of functions in line with customer requirements.

Lang Metallwaren's existing machine park also includes a 160 ton and a 250 ton press from another manufacturer. Compared to them, set-up on the Schuler machine from die to coil is also faster, says Monsig: “The coil loading chair simply saves time.” Thanks to a touch-sensitive monitor with a diagonal of 18.5 inches, the system can be operated intuitively and easily, allowing employees to familiarize themselves with the machine in a very short time. Monsig is also very satisfied with the progress of the project: “It worked out perfectly.” Only because of site-specific conditions for the foundation, the schedule has been thrown back by some time before the project started.

With automation by robots and other acquisitions, the plant manager has gradually made the site fit for the future in recent years. For Monsig, Schuler's automatic blanking press represents a further investment in the company's competitiveness: “We already have initial orders for the new press until the end of the year, and naturally we hope that this will lead to many more”.

Source and photo: Schuler AG