FEATURE ON PRESSES AND COIL HANDLING

Hot and cold forming solutions on show

Group Rhodes showcased its latest innovations for the hot and cold forming of metals and composites within the aerospace industry at the Advanced Engineering exhibition in Birmingham last month. As well as celebrating its 200th anniversary, the company unveiled its latest advancements in superplastic forming and diffusion bonding, while also highlighting its turnkey solutions for specialist machinery in the aerospace sector.

Mark Ridgway, CEO of Group Rhodes, states: “The year’s Advanced Engineering exhibition held particular significance as 2024 marks our company’s 200th anniversary. Our exhibition stand not only honoured key milestones from our remarkable history, but also showcased our latest innovations in metals and composites forming.”

Group Rhodes manufactures and markets machinery from its facilities in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, which it sells to both the UK and global markets. The company has extensive capabilities that include the design, development and manufacture of bespoke equipment and complete turnkey solutions.

The main trading divisions of the Group consist of Rhodes Interform, Craven Fawcett, Hallamshire Engineering Services and BJD Crushers, which manufacture machinery and spare parts for the aggregates, heavy clay and material handling sectors. Rhodes Interform designs and manufactures machinery for the advanced metal and composite forming industries, with a particular focus on the aerospace sector.

On the stand, the company highlighted the evolution of its business since its inception in 1824, and the nurturing of a dedicated workforce in a traditional yet dynamic manufacturing environment.

More information www.grouprhodes.co.uk

Advances in die clamping and changing

Roemheld presented various innovations designed to optimise set-up times on presses and punches at the Euroblech 2024 exhibition in Hanover last month. Notably, a new hollow piston cylinder that flexibly adapts to dies with clamping edges of different heights, made its trade fair debut.

The new hollow piston cylinder makes forming work easier, especially for contract manufacturers who use different, non-standard die-clamping edges. According to the manufacturer, the element is suitable for clamping edges with a difference in level of up to 30 mm. Users can set the desired height in increments of 1 mm. The new hollow piston cylinder offers clamping forces of 60 or 100 kN and is suitable for use with an operating pressure of up to 400 bar.

Among other new innovations at the show were Roemheld’s pull-push chain systems for loading presses and punches, which is intended for almost all application scenarios and dies up to 40 tonnes. It is suitable for installation either directly on the system or on a rail-bound transport system. Alternatively, for loading by crane, it is possible to integrate the system into a manually or electrically driven die-changing console.

The pull-push chain system is available as a complete solution in various standard versions and with different control variants. Since all components are designed to work together, the manufacturer promises a quick and simple “plug and play” installation.

A redesigned arch clamp for dies with straight clamping edges was also on display for the first time. The clamp suitable for dirty, hot environments up to 250°C on press beds and rams in sheet metal forming, die casting and forging applications.

More information www.roemheld.de/en

Alan Spargo invests in Bruderer press

A specialist supplier to the Formula 1, automotive and aerospace sectors is increasing its tool try-out capacity by purchasing the company’s first Bruderer press. Alan Spargo Ltd, which will celebrate 50 years in business in 2025, has invested in a BSTA 40-tonne machine to help provide its growing list of customers with the option to test tooling solutions at high speed before they go into production.

The technology can offer up to 1000 strokes per minute at precision accuracy and will support the High Wycombe firm’s desire to increase sales past the £3m mark before the end of 2024. The investment also builds on a long-term tooling relationship between the company and Bruderer UK, which culminated in the development of a turnkey production line for Bruderer’s stand at the MACH 2024 exhibition in Birmingham earlier this year. Alan Spargo developed specialist tooling in just six weeks to run on a Bruderer BSTL 350-88 high-speed press.

Peter Spargo, director, says: “Our customers are continually pushing the boundaries when it comes to tool performance, and we must respond. One of the ways we can do this is by giving them access to even more tool try-out capabilities and that’s why we’ve pressed the button on our first investment in Bruderer technology. This complements our other presses and, importantly, gives us a press that can deliver high-speed performance, testing the tool to its maximum. We’ve already got several existing and new customers who can take advantage.”

He continues: “The past 12 months have been very good for us. We’ve extended the workforce to 22, with the opportunity to recruit more staff, including new apprentices.”

More information www.bruderer.com

High-speed precision press wins award

Press manufacturer AIDA reports that its high-speed precision press line for producing EV
drive motor cores has won a ‘2023 Ten Greatest New Products Award” from the Nikkan
Kogyo Shimbun (Business and Technology Daily News). The award was established in 1958
for the purpose of encouraging the development of superior new products and spurring
even higher technological advances in Japanese industry.


In order to provide customers with the optimal high-speed precision press line for producing
difficult-to-form EV drive motor cores, AIDA developed a complete array of peripheral
equipment to achieve world-class high-speed forming, including an un-coiler, an S-loop
device, a feeder, a core rotator and a scrap cutter. The system features cutting-edge digital
and AI (artificial intelligence) technologies, enabling AIDA to provide customers with a
comprehensive solution for an entire high-speed precision press line that incorporates DX
(digital transformation) technology.
The judges said that, until now, no press manufacturer had independently developed and
manufactured an entire system for forming EV drive motor cores, as well as peripheral
equipment and software. A total solution of this type previously required ordering from
third parties.
Notably, the facial recognition system prevents erroneous operation by unauthorised
personnel, while AIDA also developed an oil temperature management system to maintain
high-precision forming and a predictive failure detection system. AIDA says it is the first to
achieve automated production in this field. The company expects the system to boost EV
motor core production and help combat the existing shortage of skilled workers.
Moving forward, AIDA says it will continue striving to develop environmentally friendly
technologies and further improving customer service.
For further information www.aida.co.jp/en

Simwon adopts AP & T press-hardening technology

Together with its agent Daekyung International, AP&T has spent many years building up a
relationship with Simwon and MS Autotech in South Korea. In a visit to China a few years
ago, Simwon’s managing director got the opportunity to see how AP&T’s press-hardening
production lines perform in action. It was the start of a rewarding collaboration between

the two parties. In spring 2022, the first line from AP&T was installed at Simwon’s facility in
Austin, Texas. The line’s output is thus far exceeding the company’s very high expectations.
Simwon is part of MS Autotech, a globally operating sub-supplier to many of the world’s
major car manufacturers. Simwon America in Austin, Texas produces press-hardened
components for the American market.
“The new line primarily manufactures door rings for one of our larger American customers,”
says Jeon Incheol, senior manager of the overseas sales team at Simwon. “To meet their
needs, the technology has to run faultlessly, and we need to be able to produce at top
speed. The output is 15-20% higher than our other press-hardening lines.”
The success of the Simwon investment is also of great importance to AP&T.  
“We’re naturally pleased to fulfil Simwon’s high requirements on product quality, cycle
times and machine availability,” says Peter Robisch, sales manager at AP&T. “For us, this is a
strategically important deal that has strengthened our position in press hardening on the
North American market.”
The line includes a hydraulic press with a press force of 1200 tons, automation equipment
and a control system. Thanks to the uniform control system, it is possible to synchronise the
line’s hydraulic presses and linear robots.
For further information www.aptgroup.com