Investment in new plant and machinery gives Schaeffler UK the edge

The Schaeffler Group has invested several million euros in new plant and machinery at its automotive engine component manufacturing plant in South Wales. The new investment was supported by the Welsh Government.

The new machinery - which includes surface coating machines and an enormous, 66-tonne deep drawing press - will enable Schaeffler UK to produce highly repeatable, superior quality mechanical tappets and other automotive engine components.

The new coatings plant, which currently comprises of one coating machine with the possibility of more to follow, was installed in June 2011. The deep drawing press is due to arrive at the factory in August 2011 and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Established in 1955, the Llanelli plant manufactures high precision engine components for the automotive market. The plant currently employs 230 people and is an autonomous subsidiary of the multi-national German-owned Schaeffler Group.

The new coating machines will enable Schaeffler UK to coat the surface of engine components with an ultra-thin Tiondur^{Ò +} DLC, extremely hard, multi-layer coating. This black coloured coating is applied via special, vacuum-controlled chambers. The function of the extremely wear resistant coating is to minimise friction between mating components in the engine, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.

The applied coating material is either in the form of a solid (PVD - Physical Vapour Deposition) or in the form of a gas (PACVD - Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition). In contrast to conventional coating methods, this new technique will enable Schaeffler to produce unique compositions of materials and coatings using an environmentally friendly (no CO2 is produced) vacuum process.

The new coating machines require components to be thoroughly cleaned before entering the vacuum chambers. The investment therefore includes new special purpose washing machines for each coating machine.

Roger Evans MBE, Plant Director at Schaeffler UK commented: "This significant investment in new plant and machinery represents a tremendous shift in the way this factory will produce automotive components in the future. Without doubt, this investment is the single most important investment in this factory's history. By embracing these advanced coating and deep drawing technologies, we will be able to produce new superior quality components that meet the specific needs of our automotive customer base, which will help safeguard the long term future of this factory."

Business Minister Edwina Hart said it was good to hear that the significant investment by Schaeffler would support its long-term future and give the company a competitive advantage. "In these challenging trading conditions, it is vital that businesses remain ahead of the game - this investment will enable Schaeffler to remain highly competitive within a global market and I am pleased it has been supported by the Welsh Government."

Also part of the new investment is a deep drawing press, which will also provide Schaeffler UK with significant technical advantages. The press will cover 35 square metres of floor space and will enable the factory to press tappet blanks to 'near net shape' i.e. as close to the finished product as possible. By deep drawing the tappets, Schaeffler UK will be able to manufacture a more cost effective alternative to the traditional forged and turned design.

For further information, e-mail: info.uk@schaeffler.com  or view website: www.schaeffler.co.uk   Refer to page 100

The new and improved Heavy-Duty Slide 2 from Techno
Inc., is capable of carrying heavy-cantilevered loads with ease

Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems recently introduced the newly improved Heavy-Duty Slide 2, constructed from a single rigid aluminum extrusion profile and capable of handling heavy-cantilevered loads. The 225 mm wide, modular design is available in travels from 122 mm (4.8") to 2722 mm (107.2") with a new wraparound motor mounting kit that allows for longer travel with shorter overall lengths.  The Heavy-Duty Slide 2 is made to be extremely versatile with T-slots on three sides for easy mounting options.
 
"The improved design on our Heavy-Duty Slide 2 models offers customers an affordable, yet wide stable base, for use in any assembly equipment," says Joe Griffin, Linear Motion Systems Sales Manager. "By providing a slide that can handle large cantilevered loads, we increase the list of applications it can be used for. We also use Teflon lip seals so that the full length of travel is utilized and the interior components are guarded against contaminants."

All models are fit with four precision rails, four bearing blocks, home reference and end limit switches. Customers can choose from inline or side-mounted stepper motors or servomotors. The 16 mm anti-backlash ball screws are available in 2.5 mm (.1"), 5 mm (.2"), 10 mm (.4"), and 20 mm (.8") leads; and complete CAD Drawings are available on the web.
 
For further information website: http://www.techno-isel.com/tic/Catdas/HeavyDutySlide2.htm, or call to speak with an Application Engineer about possible connectors, cables, mounting plates and more at 1-516-328-3970. Techno, Inc., 2101 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY, USA 11040.   Refer to page 97

Form VS function - two different latch/handle approaches

Form vs. Function is a long running debate. Like it or not Form and Function are intrinsically linked, especially in the case of something we deal with quite so physically as a handle - so iconic in fact that it finds broad application in our everyday language - we handle information, problems etc, even though we do not ever touch them. This intimacy with such an everyday object inevitably gives rise to a strong element of visual interest - of form - as well as function. It is this duality of roles that EMKA seek to fulfil in the design of their cabinet handles. Two examples from the EMKA program readily demonstrate both aesthetic form - in a rugged, practical, inviting, tactile and ergonomic sense, as well as delivering up to the expectations raised in case of use, reliability and performance criteria.

The EMKA 1130 is an IP65 recessed T handle with clip - it is flush fitting and importantly also has a compression locking function which makes it suitable for vibration prone applications such as road and rail transport.

For further information on EMKA products and services, view website: www.emka.co.uk where it is also possible to download any part or the entire EMKA product catalogue.   Refer to page 115

Intelligent rack monitoring with environmental control

EMKA of "everything but the enclosure" fame have developed their Electronic Locking and Monitoring Program with the introduction of their new RMS490 Rack Management System in a standard 1U 19" format which is designed to fulfil all the needs of power and environmental management in high density cabinets such as server centres.

The RMS 490 features 8 inputs for electromechanical locking systems and door contacts. Opening a lock is via keypad and pin code, transponder cards, mobile phones and of course via network and SNMP commands. In addition up to 4 sensors can be connected to monitor ambient conditions like temperature, humidity, acceleration (vandalism) and issue alarms via 4 relay contacts. 2 continuous control outputs are also available for temperature regulation. Different strategies control the speed of the fans and the capacity of the cooling unit while status inputs monitor the fans for correct operation and indicate non-working units.

The new RMS490 Rack Management System in a standard 1U 19" format.

The RMS 490 brings together all the features of rack power and management with a tamper proof event log which saves all events that occur in the cabinet and an integrated two-line display that can be customised to show desired parameters. Integration with intelligent PDUs enabling current measurement for socket and single shutdown is all that is needed to complete the whole system.

For further information on EMKA products and services, view website: www.emka.co.uk where it is also possible to download any part or the entire EMKA product catalogue.   Refer to page 115

Techno CNC Routers' new universal knife system

Techno, Inc. CNC Routers now offer its Techno Universal Knife System, an all in one universal tool that uses one main drive capable of processing multiple applications through interchangeable heads. Using a common rotary drive, the Techno Universal Knife System can change between the Oscillating Knife, Tangential Drag Knife, Spring Loaded Pen, Vinyl Drag Cutter or Creasing Wheel Kit when needed. 

"Our Universal Knife System was designed to target various industries that would benefit from an interchangeable tool," says Roy Valentine, CNC Routers Sales Manager. "Whether the company is a Sign or Point of Purchase manufacturer that needs to cut graphic art sheets printed on a wide format flat bed printer, HVAC manufacturer that needs to cut acoustic liners, or a packaging manufacturer that needs to cut and crease corrugated cartons, this one system is the right product." 

In addition to the interchangeable heads mentioned above, the Techno Universal Knife System can be combined with the Techno Vision (digital image verification package) to provide Sign and Graphics customers a complete and easy-to-use digital finishing solution. System functions allow the operator to load material on any Techno CNC Router, select the image for routing and press "Start". The machine will then verify the linear and rotational distortion and proceed in routing the pattern of the desired image before your eyes.

All Universal Knife System interchangeable heads and specifications are available online at: http://www.techno-isel.com/cnc_routers/universal_knife.htm or contact their knowledgeable application engineering staff to discuss the best choice for your application, Tel: 1-800-819-3366.   Refer to page 97