TPT March 2018

T E CHNOLOG Y

Reika repor ts strong growth in automotive HIGH precision at low production costs is the combination that Reika aims for, while also looking to set high standards when cutting precision steel tubes for automotive applications.

The two largest German automotive groups – and various automotive suppliers – have benefited from this philosophy in a number of ways. For new constant velocity joint (CVJ) blank production, the world’s largest car manufacturer secured a new Reika high- speed cutting line. Four Reika lines have already been working successfully for many years at the customer’s factory. With the fifth machine, there will be a total production capacity in the facility of 100,000 pcs/day. The new compact line 224/324 is a custom-made product, precisely manufacturing the cage blanks to the micrometre (part standard length deviation: 2.2 my) with integrated end processing. To match the customer’s precise requirements the line is tailored to two tube sizes. These different tubes and blank geometries can be switched to two subsequent press lines and processed fully automatically without any operator intervention. Thanks to the automatic tool changer in the finishing process and a tailor- made clamping system, which allows optimum clamping force without any surface scratches of both tube diameters, there are no time- and cost- intensive changeover process. Powerful wide-range motor spindles are equipped with intelligent process monitoring so important information, such as tool wear, is transmitted to the operator at an early stage. “We want our customers

High precision cutting from Reika

process, especially when working with carbide saws. Case studies have shown a significant cost saving over the course of a year. Reika’s high-speed cutting lines offer advantages for manufacturers of tubular parts in terms of cost and quality. Reika states that the combination of chipless and chip-forming cutting on one machine is unique and the basis for the machine’s high flexibility at minimum tool cost. Both cutting processes, as well as end working, are supplied in a single machine. Many companies have benefited from this efficiency return, including major automotive suppliers such as those manufacturing shock absorbers and gas pressure springs. A number of new lines are scheduled to start production by the end of 2018. Reika GmbH & Co KG – Germany Website: www.reika.de

to be able to act rather than react. This saves money, in addition to time, and secures a faster return on investment,” explained Reika managing director Hans-Jörg Braun. Because of the low air consumption of the Reika lines compared to competing sawing machines, which often must have a ten-bar supply net to remove small chips and quick motion, the Reika cutting lines work with a six-bar net. Since the precision tubes are processed dry, without any coolant and without any saw chips, cleaning after the cutting process is not necessary. Because the costs of compressed air are still underestimated, and not allocated to the individual machine in the production plants, the automotive industry once again has played a pioneering role in terms of operating-cost analysis. On the other hand, the tool cost during cutting, either with carbide inserts or roller blades, is lower than during the sawing

Hohenhagener Str. 46 · D-42855 Remscheid P.O.-Box 11 04 69 · D-42864 Remscheid GEBR. LENNARTZ GMBH & CO. KG

Fon: +49 (0) 21 91 / 99 60-0 · Fax: +49 (0) 21 91 / 99 60-60 Email: info@lennartz.de · www.lennartz.de

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MARCH 2018