TPT January 2017

I NDUS T RY

The transparent press plant of the future IF it were possible to see the inside of a press it would be possible to avoid many unplanned downtimes because a faulty part could be identified sooner. automatically archives and evaluates physical variables and control states when specific events occur. This enables rapid fault analysis.

Energy monitoring involves recording and evaluating all measured variables that are relevant for energy efficiency and network quality, such as power consumption, voltage dips or harmonics. This means that system operators can not only save energy costs, but in some circumstances they can also obtain investment grants and favourable loans. The production data acquired includes all planned and unplanned downtimes including their causes, fault messages, target/actual production and the quality of the parts. In this way, the system operators gain an overview of the production status and a basis for calculating the overall equipment efficiency. All quality-relevant data is also record- ed and archived for each part produced. This enables the manufacturer to pro- vide the necessary proof for items such as safety parts. Schuler supplies presses, automation solutions, dies, process know-how, and services for the entire metalworking industry and lightweight automotive design. Customers include automobile manufacturers and suppliers as well as companies from the forging, household appliances, packaging, energy and electronics industries. Schuler is also a supplier of minting presses, and supplies system solutions for aerospace, rail transport, and large pipe manufacturing.

The state monitoring function monitors the system at regular intervals for damage and wear, using torque curves and structure-borne noise analyses, for example. Thanks to this state-based maintenance, components only need to be replaced when they have actually reached the end of their life and not just because they have been in operation for a specific amount of time. When it comes to process monitoring the focus is on machine protection. Permanent logging of parameters such as press force or vibration progression enables a cycle-accurate response in real time, where necessary. Process reliability is thereby also improved.

The Machine Monitoring System (MMS) of the future, which Schuler presented a model of at the recent EuroBLECH trade fair, provides new insights into presses. With the aid of comprehensive system monitoring availability can be increased, production and parts quality can be improved and energy consumption can be lowered. The MMS is part of the Smart Press Shop, a collection of Schuler solutions for networking in the field of forming technology. Schuler’s model for system monitor- ing combines a variety of existing solutions. An integral part of the MMS is the intelligent diagnostics, which

Schuler Group – Germany Website: www.schulergroup.com

T he Machine Monitoring System

Curved steel raises the roof AS part of the £70 million redevelop- ment of Longbridge town centre, in the UK, the developer has constructed a new superstore for Marks & Spencer that is to be one of the largest in the country. The adjoining car park has been constructed from steel, with the roof and floor sections being curved by Barnshaws to ensure sufficient strength and controlled water run-off. The work was carried out for specialist steelwork contractor James Killelea Ltd. and optimise investment. In this case the new store alone is expected to generate up to 350 new jobs, while the additional retail, restaurant and cafe areas will further enhance the development and its potential to attract shoppers. In addition to the retail areas, an underground car park has been constructed from steel. The ‘roof’ of the car park is at ground level and the designers needed it to be strong enough to carry the weight of the roof sections as well as providing a suf- ficient camber to ensure any rainwater is directed to the surface drains. Redeveloping industrial sites such as that at Longbridge forms an important part of council strategy to create busi- ness and employment opportunities, Greg North, commercial director at Barnshaws, commented, “We have

a long-standing relationship with the steelwork contractor and they appreciate our ability to deliver large tonnages of curved steel on time. In this case it was very nearly 500 tonnes of universal beams that required a camber of between 50 and 100mm.” A large number of different speci- fications in terms of section size, length and camber were used to create the 15m square lattice formation that forms the roof. Barnshaw Section Benders Ltd – UK Email: info@barnshaws.com Website: www.barnshaws.com

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J ANUARY 2017