February 2023 Volume 5

INDUSTRY NEWS

Schuler Installs Fully Automated Aluminium Forging Line for Strojmetal Aluminum Chassis Parts to be Produced on a 2,500-ton Farina Scotch Yoke Press at New Production Site in Bruntál, Czech Republic

Strojmetal, based in Kamenice near Prague in the Czech Republic and in Singen (Southern Germany), is one of the leading manufacturers of aluminum chassis parts and applications in the powertrain and battery housing sectors. The product range has been greatly expanded in recent years fromapplications with a component weight of less than 200g to 8kg. Lightweight construction in vehicle technology is becoming increasingly crucial, especially for alternative powertrains. High ductility aluminum forgings from Strojmetal are the right solution here. Forged parts such as these can now also be produced on a 2,500-ton scotch yoke press from Schuler subsidiary Farina. It is the centerpiece of a line that has now gone into operation at Strojmetal's new site in Bruntál on the Polish border. "Thanks to the excellent cooperation already in the design phase with Schuler, Strojmetal and the in-house automation company i.c.e. industrial services, we managed to complete the commissioning from the first stroke to series production in just three months," explains Miroslav Zahorec, Chief Financial and Production Officer of MTX Group, which Strojmetal belongs to. "The project naturally benefited from our many years of experience as a general contractor," adds Schuler managing director Frank Klingemann. "By implementing a virtual commissioning of the line in advance, the ramp-up phase on the construction site was reduced enormously, which further shortened the time to the start of production." Thanks to the KERS kinetic energy recovery system, the power consumption of the GLK type press is reduced by up to 40 percent, while the output is increased. The machine is part of a fully automated line that also includes several robots and ovens as well as another 250-ton press provided by Schuler subsidiary Beutler Nova for deburring the forgings – the operators' only task is to monitor production. Strojmetal celebrated its 200th anniversary in2022: Josef Ringhoffer founded the company in 1822 as a copper smelter in Kamenice. In 1940, the forging of aluminum alloys was added to the program. In 2013, the Czech co-owners of Strojmetal bought the remaining shares from Constellium Singen GmbH. In 2020, Strojmetal was acquired by the MTX Group and successfully integrated into the overall group.

Today, highly automated forging lines, but also manual presses, produce predominantly for the automotive industry. In addition to forging, machining and assembling aluminum parts, the product portfolio also includes the development, construction and design of aluminum chassis parts for the automotive industry. "After two challenging years in the automotive industry, this year we were again able to win major orders from well-known OEMs and suppliers for both production sites. The strategic partnership with Schuler and the efficient implementation of joint ideas has significantly increased our attractiveness in the market," sums up Andre Materne, Managing Director of Strojmetal Singen GmbH.

About the Schuler Group – www.schulergroup.com Schuler offers customized cutting-edge technology in all areas of forming—from the networked press to press shop planning. In addition to presses, our products include automation, dies, process know-how and service for the entire metalworking industry. Schuler's Digital Suite brings together solutions for networking forming technology and is continuously being developed to further improve line productivity and availability. Our customers include automotive manufacturers and suppliers, as well as companies in the forging, household appliance and electrical industries. Presses from the Schuler Group mint coins for more than 180 countries. Founded in 1839 at our headquarters in Göppingen, Germany, Schuler has approx. 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe, China and the Americas, as well as service companies in more than 40 countries. The company is part of the international technology group ANDRITZ.

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2023 64