Page 21 - MetalForming November 2011

One of P.J. Thompson’s “bets” placed to fortify Trans-Matic for the future can be seen in the background—a laser-welding cell used to manufacture lids for lithium-ion batteries. Shown holding various battery components, including precision deep-drawn aluminum cans (l-r): vice president of advanced product development Bob Stander, automation manager Jeff Brower, and director of advanced product engineering Ron Dalessandro.
these presses in another 15 to 20 years,” says Thompson, always with an eye toward the future. “This technology is a game-changer. One of these presses, we believe, will be able to do the work of four or five conventional eyelet presses, with incredible flexibility and accuracy.”
PMA All the Way
Amongst numerous benefits Thomp- son points to emanating from his per- sonal involvement in PMA (and the involvement of several company exec- utives), first and foremost is exposure to the global metalforming market, via PMA’s participation in The Interna- tional Council of Sheet Metal Press- work Associations (ICOSPA). He’s com- mitted to participating globally, noting that “the global pond is huge and there are significant opportunities for met- alformers to compete around the world. However, you need more than just a cursory understanding of the global metalforming industry—what’s needed is a working knowledge of what’s happening in our industry in other countries around the world.”
For Thompson, the best way to acquire that knowledge has been attending the ICOSPA Congress, held every three years in one of the ICOSPA- member countries. In fact, Thompson
pany to continue to grow and evolve well into the future.
Under the guidance of manufac- turing-engineering manager Jeff Brow- er, a new laser-welding cell on the Trans-Matic production floor welds terminals to the battery lids. The assemblies, along with precision deep- drawn aluminum cans, then ship to a Johnson Controls battery plant for final assembly.
Trans-Matic’s $10 million laser- welding cell, secured on the back of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Energy, exemplifies Thomp- son’s optimistic vision for his company and the industry. “I wouldn’t place these types of bets if I didn’t believe in the opportunities for metalformers as we move forward,” he says.
Another bet Thompson’s placed is a very recent investment in a MultiSer- voPress from H&T Produktions Tech- nologie. The press combines the speed of a mechanical press with the flexibil- ity of a hydraulic press. The servomotor press, interacting with planetary roller- thread spindles, makes press force available in any stroke position and at any speed—maximum press force is ensured right through to zero speed, say company officials. The press is
designed so that sensors recognize the position of the ram as a control variable during operations. Depending on the load—even an eccentric load—the ram always is positioned according to the set point, compensating for any skews present in the system. As ram speed is controllable, forming operations can be carried out with modified ram move- ment and reduced tool wear.
“We envision owning three or four of
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MetalForming/November 2011 19
A typical marketing and sales meeting at Trans-Matic often includes production-control manager Mary Wiley. Also shown are account mangers Jeff Grass (middle) and Adam Briggs.