February 2024 Volume 6

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Improve Forging Performance & OEE with Scotch Yoke Technology By Jaime Israel

All forgers, and manufacturers in general, strive to increase performance and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Forgers can find this goal a bit more challenging as the forging industry demands higher tolerances, lower costs per part, and quicker turnarounds. Scotch yoke technology, produced only by a mere few suppliers, provides an opportunity for forgers to achieve near-net shape, decrease operational costs, and increase output. Schuler Group (Schuler) is the only supplier of scotch yoke presses in Europe and extended its product portfolio through the acquisition of Italian press manufacturer, Farina Presse (Farina), in 2018. Farina is the leading European supplier of forging lines in the mid-price segment and has built over 350 forging presses. The GLF Press Series, Farina’s series of scotch yoke presses, range from 750 tons to 16,000 tons and can achieve near-net-shape, or material savings, with the technology’s high off-center load capacity. The world’s largest mechanical forging press sold was the GLF 16,000-ton press to thyssenkrupp Gerlach, in Germany.

Farina’s GLF Series, for example, has the same appearance as a conventional press (e.g., flywheel, clutch, and crown gear), but the scotch yoke technology increases volumetric efficiency with its compact design. The smaller press height, perfect for new or existing facilities, is due to the drive concept that has no connecting rods, or pitman. The flywheel is positioned in the middle of the crown for increased precision and accuracy, in comparison to a conventional press, and performance is achieved directly in the slide. The result is a 45 percent reduction in deformation and a 25 percent lower press height. Forgers will also appreciate less wear of machine parts expected with scotch yoke technology, such as the clutch or brake— leading to lower maintenance and repair costs. Lowering energy consumption, and affiliated costs, can be achieved with Farina’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). KERS is ideal for continuous forging processes and results in less vibrations with lower foundation loads. More than 18 customers utilize KERS worldwide! Farina’s GLK Press Series, the GLF Press Series with KERS package, can be manufactured up to 16,000 tons. The technology can reduce power consumption by 40 percent while also increasing strokes per minute, or output (based on the forger’s automation of choice). Schuler has sold a considerable number of scotch yoke presses in Europe, and the presses are now gaining more interest in the United States. Schuler North America recently sold a 3,150-ton GLF Series press to a key customer in the automotive forging industry. There are many other benefits for forgers utilizing scotch yoke technology. The presses are customizable and can be manufactured with a larger bed size and fully automated 3-axis transfer system. More formations are also possible with scotch yoke technology as forgers can select single station or larger multistation presses with multi-impression dies. Schuler-Farina presses are the only multistation presses available on the market. Scotch yoke presses are a cost-competitive option for forgers to revitalize their forge shop with higher availability and automation, lower maintenance, and faster changeovers. The technology is suitable for small to large aluminum and steel part production and has been supplied to automotive and aerospace industries. Scotch yoke presses have even been used for aluminum chassis parts and applications in the powertrain and battery housings sector. Non automotive industries—such as agriculture, healthcare, etc.—can also greatly benefit from scotch yoke presses. Schuler’s comprehensive product portfolio of forging presses range from 3,200 kN to 360,000 kN and enable the best economic solutions for quality parts. The company also offers hammers and

Scotch yoke presses can handle much heavier eccentric loads or components than conventional presses. For example, forgers wishing to increase load weight on a 2,000-ton conventional press may need to purchase a higher tonnage conventional press to meet capacity requirements. A 2,000-ton scotch yoke press, in comparison, can handle greater loads. Scotch yoke presses enable lower operational costs for forgers. Scotch yoke technology, like Farina's GLF Press Series, can achieve near-net shape, decrease operational costs, and increase output.

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2024 20