The FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company in
China has ordered two large mechanical press lines and two hydraulic tryout
presses from press manufacturer Schuler.
The new lines will be integrated into a facility in which two automated
press lines equipped with speedbar technology of Schuler subsidiary Müller
Weingarten have been operating since 2006.
The two new press lines, each comprising six mechanical presses with a
total force of 8,100 metric tons, are equipped with speedbar automation
technology to make up to 13 large panels per minute.
Speedbar transfer modules allow smaller gaps between individual presses.
Parts are transported directly from press to press, and one transfer module
is used for both part unloading and transferring to the next press. Any
changes in part position are made directly on the crossbar. Speedbar modules
are also used for feeding blanks and unloading the finished parts.
Joachim Beyer, Schuler director responsible for automotive industry large
presses, said: “The two press lines are highly flexible and can
be reset for various parts in less than eight minutes. This enables considerable
time and cost savings.”
FAW-VW, a joint venture between First Automotive Works, Volkswagen and
Audi, manufactures the Audi A6, Audi A4, Bora Hatchback, Sagitar (Jetta)
and Magotan (Passat) at its Changchun facility. The company aims to manufacture
one million cars there by 2012 – twice as many vehicles as today.
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