Automatic shot peening of EV gears parts

BMW’s plant in Dingolfing has integrated an RST 200-S15 indexing satellite table shot-blast machine from Rösler into a new manufacturing line for E-vehicle gear components. The company decided to purchase the Rösler equipment because it had excellent experience with machines of the same type regarding productivity, process stability and ease of maintenance.

The rotary table of the compact shot-blast machine contains 15 rotating satellite stations equipped with workpiece-specific fixtures. Depending on the workpiece type, a component loading/unloading system supplied by the customer places one or several parts on the satellite stations. Thanks to the machine’s design, non-productive idle times are minimal.

After loading, workpieces pass through multiple stations in the shot-blast machine at indexing cycles of 20 seconds. These stations include two blast positions. Special lifting gates prevent any spillage of blast media into other stations. During the peening operation, the satellites rotate at pre-set speeds in front of the blast turbines. In combination with automatic blast pattern adjustment to the respective workpiece shape, this ensures the realisation of homogeneous peening results. A compressed-air cleaning station placed in front of the loading/unloading section blows off dust and residual blast media from the finished components.

The master computer of the manufacturing lineselects the workpiece-specific processing programs, including the setting of the turbine position and blast pattern. For this purpose, the controls of the peening machine were integrated into the upper-level computer system at BMW in Dingolfing. 

To meet the automotive industry’s high standards regarding process stability and traceability, the machine’s controls allow the continuous monitoring of all relevant shot-blasting parameters. Replenishment of the blast media also takes place automatically.

More information www.rosler.com

UK tube train production

Following an investment of up to €230m, Siemens Mobility is opening a UKtrain manufacturing facility as part of the company’s new Goole Rail Village on a site which spans 67 acres, the size of 35 football pitches. London Underground’s new Piccadilly Line trains will be assembled at the factory before they start entering passenger service from 2025. Overall, Siemens Mobility’s investment in the region will create up to 700 new jobs and an additional 1700 supply chain opportunities by 2030. The company is also investing up to €50m in a new facility (also in Goole) to assemble and overhaul train bogies. More information www.bit.ly/3Yo3fWF

Refurbished Tech Centre

Cutting and profiling technology specialist Kerf Developments hosted a successful open house at its Rochdale headquarters last month to celebrate the opening of its new technical and demonstration centre. The fully refurbished facility is where engineers can investigate the company’s complete range of profile cutting solutions, including fibrelaser, oxy-fuel, plasma and waterjet technologies. Expert advice and the ability to offer a full suite of technologies enables Kerf to determine the ‘best-fit’ solution based on customer requirements. Four new machines are permanently in-situ at the refurbished facility.

More information www.kerfdevelopments.com

Heller becomes AMRC member

At the recent AMB 2024 exhibition in Stuttgart, Matthew Farnsworth, commercial director at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) announced that machining centre manufacturer Heller had become its latest Tier 1 member.The German-owned machine tool company has numerous factories, including one in Redditch.

As part of the agreement, a Heller F 6000 five-axis horizontal mill-turn centre will take its placeat the AMRC’s facility in Rotherham in June 2025. The machine will further the development of aerospace-related applications, especially those involving the machining of titanium structural and aero engine components.
More information https://uk.heller.biz

FANUC’s Oliver Selby is new BARA chair

FANUC UK’s head of sales Oliver Selby is the new chair ofthe British Automation and Robotics Association (BARA). Taking over from current chair George Thompson, Selby will enjoy supportin his new role fromvice-chair Rosie Davies, the managing director of Reeco Automation. With more than 20 years’ experience, Selby is a long-standing and vocal supporter of the UK automation sector, and of manufacturing more widely. In his role as chair, he plans to advance the association’s activities, supporting BARA’s aim to increase automation uptake while placing members’ needs firmly front and centre.

More information www.fanuc.eu