ASGLAFORM begins production using Schuler press

"With the new line we will not only produce prototypes for suppliers and development service providers in the automotive industry, but also fibre-reinforced plastics, such as SMC, GMT and LWRT in small batches," said project manager, Thomas Weidhaas: “Either to cover inconvenient production lot sizes of niche products in subcontract for series suppliers, or in order to temporarily compensate for under capacities of manufacturers already established on the market. We will make our press available in the future for die and production try-outs.

There were a number of technical reasons for Schuler, in addition to the proximity of the company’s Erfurt site.

"In the production of composite parts, in addition to a high press force, short pressure build-up times are of particular importance," explained Weidhaas. "The Schuler machine provides its full press force of 2,500 tons after just 0.14 seconds. That's a very good value."

An internal cavity pressure of 250 to 300 bar ensures that the plastic is distributed optimally throughout the die. For example, a 5mm thick semi-finished product for an underbody panelling is compressed to 2mm in the final part. Since the system can build up the pressure fast enough, there is no danger that the semi-finished product in the die will stop to flow before it has taken its final form.

"We need the parallelism control to tilt the die. Just a tilt of only half a millimetre per metre ensures that a targeted flow of the plastic is generated in the die and that correspondingly better component surfaces can be achieved.

The design-related low height of 4.80m above ground was, according to the graduate engineer, an important argument for the upstroke short-stroke press: "This allowed us to build the production hall lower."

Positive side effect: Because the hydraulic units are located in the basement, the noise is reduced.

Apart from that, Weidhaas praised the cooperation with Schuler, which was characterised by a partnership approach. The order for the press was received in early 2018, the final acceptance took place in August this year.

www.schulergroup.com/composites_presses

www.asglaform.de