By retrofitting a stamping press, DREHER Automation demonstrates that purchasing a new forming press is not always necessary

Productivity losses and safety risks in particular indicate the need for an press overhaul

Technological progress is creating continually changing production conditions. As a result, there comes a time when existing machinery is no longer able to meet emerging challenges. By the time productivity losses are imminent or safety breaches have become apparent, plant operators are forced to consider purchasing a new machine.

A manufacturer of electrical kitchen appliances was also faced with this question with regard to a stamping press manufactured in 1982. This press was also showing considerable productivity losses. At the same time, the requirements in terms of product quality and plant safety had risen significantly. In addition to the unavailability of spare parts, the high energy consumption and correspondingly high environmental impact all indicated that it was time to replace the stamping press.

However, rather than purchasing a new system, the decision was taken, in consultation with DREHER Automation’s project management, to carry out a press retrofit of the existing system. This involved a comprehensive overhaul of the mechanical forming press (manufactured by Weingarten) with a pressing force of 4,000 kN and the attached coil processing line. The overhaul included, for example, replacement of the coil straightener and coil feeder, as well as a brand-new safety concept with a new CE marking.

On the electrical side, not only was the main press motor replaced, but the outdated system control for the entire stamping press was also completely replaced by a contemporary Siemens S7 control system with modern condition monitoring. This also made it possible to finally integrate the stamping press into the general machine data acquisition system.

Short project duration through press retrofitting while significantly improving performance of existing stamping press

The downtime required for the entire press retrofit was just two weeks. Long delivery times and costs for installing a new forming press were avoided completely.

The press overhaul boosted overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by five per cent and significantly improved product quality. Granting of the CE marking also considerably increased personnel and plant safety. Moreover, the set-up time was reduced by 10 minutes and the quantity of production-related scrap generated fell by half. Following the press retrofit, the stamping press is now once again fit for the future.

The condition monitoring system will in future record plant performance, condition, energy consumption and pressing force. With production data acquisition and analysis of the acquired data, the stamping press can now be improved even more.

Rather than invest in a new forming press, why not retrofit instead?

With the overhauled stamping press, DREHER Automation demonstrates that purchasing a brand-new forming press is not always necessary. With lower investment costs, shorter project duration and substantially higher productivity with existing machinery, a press retrofit is the perfect alternative.

Would you like to make your existing forming presses fit for the future with DREHER Automation? Visit us at https://www.dreher.de/en-de/service/press-retrofit