Page 31 - MetalForming January 2014

Another process improvement put in place to protect its valuable dies: LuK now color-codes its dies to identi- fy dies that cannot run empty during coil-feed up, following a changeover. “We used to place a tag on the dies that were susceptible to damage when cycled without stock,” explains Gray. “To completely eliminate empty hits and die damage, we now paint those dies a different color. It’s worked per- fectly since we implemented the idea about a year ago.”
A Sense of Urgency on the Floor
The use of the die cart, and the need to carefully schedule its use so that it’s available when the Minster and Bruder- er need it, is indicative of the overall sense of urgency evident in the LuK pressroom. Press operators are respon- sible for attaining established OEE goals.
As such, LuK’s press operators have engineered several Kaizen events to help quicken the pace at which mate-
TECH Buzz
rials move through the shop. One example we spied: each press line includes a set of three signposts used to signal to the pressroom team the status of the line. Green signs indicate the presence in the press cell of the blank- ing and forming dies and coils needed for the next job scheduled to run; a red sign means something’s missing in order for the next job to run. As we toured the pressroom, all we saw were green signs—excellence in action.
“This is just one of many action items initiated from ideas provided by our crew,” says Gray, “that add up to squeezing as much productivity and throughput we possibly can from our existing press capacity.
“On the progressive-die side of the pressroom,” Gray continues, “we’ve now been able to back off from seven- day production to a normal five-day schedule. And when the new Schuler transfer press comes online early in 2014, we expect the same to occur in the transfer-press area.” MF
Die Lifters
New HCD Series Double-Point H-Frame Presses/121 to 330 Ton
The Mark 2 series counter rotating drive has been in our family of products for more than 30 years. The new HCD Series is a Mark 2 with H-frame construction for higher rigidity and longer tool life.
We have refined and enhanced this series to provide operational efficiencies that allow us to ship any standard models in 45 to 60 days. And, starting in 2014, we are offering a 4-2-1 year warranty.
Standard is the I-press and automation control. A large alphanumeric color touchscreen is fully featured: digital stroke position, brake stopping time, parts and batch counters, programmable cams, die protection, fault diagnostics, job memo setup screens, active I/O screens for troubleshooting and more.
Complete turnkey press solutions, including feeders and automation, are designed and built to meet rigorous metalforming applications and demands.
Sutherland offers the full range of mechanical, hydraulic and forging presses. All equipment exceeds the JIS 1st Class standard, and meets or exceeds other key international standards.
TEAM SUTHERLAND
310/453-6981
E-Mail: Info@SutherlandPresses.com www.SutherlandPresses.com
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/January 2014 29
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