thyssenkrupp orders Farina forging press

16,000 tons of concentrated press force, 1,700 tons of weight and a height of ten meters: The Farina forging press, which thyssenkrupp Gerlach ordered from Schuler in April 2019, is one of the world's largest mechanical systems of its kind. Starting in 2021, the GLF 16000 machine will form truck front axles and crankshafts at the Homburg site.

Schuler had taken over the Italian press manufacturer Farina in 2018. It is the leading European supplier of forged lines in the mid-price segment. thyssenkrupp has been so satisfied with a 4,000-ton forging press, which Farina had supplied in 2006, that the company again opted for the GLF series – but this time for a four times more powerful model. Schuler will manufacture the large press at its Erfurt location.

360,000 components per year

“The main press of the new forging line will be the world’s first eccentric press of this size, capacity and output to go into operation,” says Dr. Franz Eckl, COO of the Forged Technologies business unit. “It will produce around 360,000 forged components per year.”

thyssenkrupp has been manufacturing forged components at the Homburg site since 1947. With a roughly 750-strong workforce it is one of the region’s biggest employers. Construction of the world’s most advanced forging line is scheduled to start in early 2020. The roughly 12,000 square meter facility will be built on the existing site, with completion and start of production planned for early 2021.

Chassis components powertrain-independent

The plant has long been one of the most efficient production sites in thyssenkrupp’s global forging network. It is market leader for forged crankshafts, supplying automotive customers worldwide. The production of truck front axles will open up a new market and product segment for the company. These chassis components are powertrain-independent and will continue to be needed even when e-mobility starts to make greater inroads into the transportation sector.

thyssenkrupp’s “Forged Technologies” business unit is now one of the world’s largest forging operations with annual sales in excess of one billion euros. Its product portfolio includes forged and machined components and systems for the automotive, construction machinery and general engineering sectors. thyssenkrupp’s forging business currently employs around 7,500 people.

Source and photo: Schuler AG