TPT July 2007

Technology Update

Laser cutting systems boost shopping trolley production Following the installation of a BLM LT712D laser tube cutting system, shopping- trolley manufacturer Wanzl have reported a substantial increase in productivity. Established in 1918, Wanzl is a leading producer of supermarket shopping trolleys and has a daily output of over 7,000 trolleys, manufactured at its facilities in Kirchheim, Germany. The trolleys are manufactured from around 7.5 million metres of tube a year. The company also manufactures significant numbers of luggage trolleys, and in 2003 supplied 11,000 to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, the largest order ever placed by an international airport. Wanzl operates two manufacturing facilities in Germany (Leipheim and Kirchheim), where it has gained great benefits from the incorporation of BLM Adige laser tube cutting systems into its production process. Wanzl installed the first BLM Adige laser cutting system five years ago at its Kirchheim factory. According to the company, this LT652 system paid for itself within two years and in December 2005 a second BLM Adige laser tube cutting system came on stream. “We have never had any problems with our laser machines as we spend time doing necessary preventative maintenance. Given that we are working to full capacity, it is important to maintain a high level of machine efficiency,” says Mr Anton Boxler,

Loading/unloading with 180° part rotation capability Toellner Systems, USA, has announced a breakthrough in new technology for automated part loading and unloading. The company is a leader in automated loading/ unloading of CNC lathes, machining centres,

grinders, shaft cut-off, multi-spindle chuckers, and thread rolling. The new technology can rotate selected parts 180° and reload them for Op 20 machining. When combined with this technology, load rates as low as 5 seconds provides immediate throughput increases of up to 50 per cent. Materials such as steel,

› Part loading and unloading technology with 180º part rotation

aluminium, cast iron, forgings, titanium, powdered metal, brass, copper, plastics, graphite, composites, ceramic, rubber, wood, and most metals can be easily adapted to these systems. The machine is capable of handling a variety of shapes and lengths. The part loading system can be easily adapted to production machines.

Toellner Systems Inc – USA Fax : +1 715 424 4527 Email : info@toellner.com • Website : www.toellner.com

Wanzl’s production director and company secretary . Following the installation of a LT712D, which is equipped with a 2kW laser and is some 30 per cent more productive than the LT652,

In recent times Wanzl has assembled a team of laser cutting specialists and technicians, who are extremely enthusiastic and highly motivated. “When we discuss new products ‘laser man’ is always around the table,” says Mr Boxler, “identifying opportunities for the most effective methods of production, right up until the end of the project.” “We cut up to 440,000 tubes and profiles a year in batches from 1 to 500 pieces and we have never had any problems with the aluminium and stainless steel we are cutting. This has helped Wanzl to implement just-in-time production and to reduce stock and work-in-progress to a minimum.”

Wanzl began working a three-shift system with the two computer- controlled machines supervised on each shift by one operator. “The level of finish quality from the welding of the tube has only been made possible by laser cutting,” explains Mr Boxler , “We quickly began to favour laser cutting when designing our products and this has produced savings on component wastage, on welding and, importantly, on the number of parts requiring rework – plus a massive improvement in quality. In other words, the tubes are more accurate and repeatable, so the manufacturing path has become simpler and more rational. This has allowed us to make some of our products in kit form for self-assembly.”

fi Shopping in style – BLM laser cutting systems are an integral part of Wanzl’s shopping trolley production process

BLM Group UK Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1525 402 312

Email : sales@blmgroup.uk.com Website : www.blmgroup.uk.com

Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH – Germany

Fax : +49 8221 729 100 Email : info@wanzl.de Website : www.wanzl.com

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J uly /A ugust 2007