Industry-tailored press line

Only pay for what you need with trimmed concept for appliance manufacturers

Why pay for capacity you don’t need? One of Europe\'s leading manufacturers of automation, hydraulic presses and tools – AP&T – has developed a press line concept that is tailored to the needs of the appliance industry. This concept makes it possible for appliance manufacturers to fully utilize each component of the line. Thanks to the use of AP&T’s standard modules, the price is kept low while the quality level of the equipment is guaranteed – a type of solution that the industry has long awaited.

For many years, AP&T has supplied the appliance industry with press equipment and gained solid experience in the special conditions of the industry. One problem that became clear to AP&T was the lack of solutions that precisely met the industry\'s specific needs. Appliance manufacturers have been forced to buy either standard products or special order machines.

Common to have unneeded capacity
“Neither of these alternatives is optimal,” states Per-Arne Mattsson, Product Manager of the Advanced Automation Division of AP&T.
“An appliance manufacturer that buys a standard press line must pay for capacity and functionality that he has no use for. And ordering a customized line does not usually bring with it a high degree of reliability or service friendliness. My advice to appliance manufacturers is to instead choose proven technology and not invest in capacity that is not needed.”

Standard modules are the key
AP&T’s solution to the problem is to use standard modules (all of the company’s press and automation equipment is based on modules) right off the shelf and put together a trimmed press line concept specially tailored to appliance production. The point is that the press line components are not unique in and of themselves; it is the way in which they are combined that is important.
“There is no reason to reinvent the wheel – it’s more the opposite that’s true. The modules are service friendly, future ready and thereby prepared for further development,” says Per-Arne Mattsson.
“We always strive for maximum utilization of each component of the press line, but in the appliance concept, we have taken this one step further. This has led to fewer components, which means less of an investment combined with increased reliability for the appliance manufacturer.”

Maximum utilization
In concrete terms, it means that one control system can regulate multiple presses in a line, such as AP&T’s recently developed production line for a major dishwasher manufacturer. The line consists of four presses from the company’s ZL series which are driven by two hydraulic units instead of the standard four. The manufacturing rate is achieved by the presses working alternately – when press number one is pressing, the part in press two is being changed and so on. Pump capacity is fully utilized, so the customer does not have to pay for two hydraulic units that are really not needed.

Solid automation
The parts travel through the press line with the help of AP&T’s sixth generation of automation modules, which are designed for low energy consumption and maximum ease of service. AP&T shuttles and press SpeedFeeders are sturdy and have few components. They are designed for effective movement of sheet metal components in  press lines.

Few components
The result is a trimmed press line concept consisting of fewer components that are fully utilized while maintaining the highest degree of serviceability. Having fewer standardized components means that the machines require less service. They are also quicker to build and easier to install. The lead time for an entire line, fully installed, can be as short as six months.

Low cost – high reliability
At AP&T, we are well aware of the importance of keeping investment costs low while ensuring that reliability is high.
“With this concept, there is no need to pay for something you don\'t need. Since we have only used well tested solutions, the customer can count on having many years