WASSERMANN TECHNOLOGIE supports process optimization at Schuster Maschinenbau with a tool changing system
With the aim of shortening changeover times and thus reducing costs, Schuster Maschinenbau opted for a customized system consisting of a cam-controlled changer and chain magazine from WASSERMANN TECHNOLOGIE GmbH.
As a medium-sized company with 100 employees and an annual turnover of around 30 million Euro, Schuster Maschinenbau supplies manufacturers from sectors such as the automotive industry, electric motor construction and medical technology with solutions for turning, drilling, milling, gear cutting and grinding vertically mounted workpieces. Schuster develops and manufactures complete solutions in combinations of accompanying processes, from bin-picking of raw parts to processing, measuring and cleaning, to packaging and palleting of series components. As part of the production process, Schuster took note of the increasing relevance of non-productive times, resulting from the spindle tool change, among other things.
"During an initial meeting at an in-house exhibition organized by our cooperation partner Wütschner Industrietechnik, our employees successfully demonstrated the potential for optimizing tool changes to the representatives from Schuster Maschinenbau," recalls Stefan Krönung, Sales Manager at WASSERMANN TECHNOLOGIE GmbH. "Their initial inquiry came a few days later, followed by the order for the now completed project."
To solve the problem of inefficient tool changing noted by Schuster, WASSERMANN opted for a tool changing system for installation in machining cells within the production line. The system, which is supplied in two versions, a left-hand and a right-hand version, consists of a cam-controlled changer with patented automatic locking of the double gripper, a chain magazine with 60 C6 tool positions (35m/min chain speed) and a manual loading plate, which enables the tools of the system to be inserted and removed during machining.
The composition of the system is based on standard components from the WASSERMANN portfolio in the field of tool automation. The modular system, which has grown over several decades of experience in machine tool construction, enables individual solutions with only minor adjustments to the standard components. In this specific case, the diameter of the gripper arm and the chain contour, among other things, were adapted in order to produce a reliably functioning system that makes optimum use of the installation space provided by the customer. The result was a completely independent project, beyond classic series production, in which WASSERMANN TECHNOLOGIE was able to cover all project-relevant tasks from project planning, design, production and months to on-site training at the customer's premises as a full-service provider.
Looking back, both sides view the completed project as a success, characterized by partnership-based cooperation on an equal footing and the smooth running of all relevant project phases.
"The quick availability and high level of technical expertise made it possible for us, together with Wassermann, to build our customer a machine that will enable productive manufacturing in Germany for years to come." Stefan Sporer, Project Manager at Schuster.
After completion of the project, Schuster Maschinenbau has already made a further inquiry. In a follow-up project, a changing system for twice the number of tools is to be realized. In a first step, WASSERMANN presented three alternative concepts, characterized by different designs of the required chain magazine. Schuster opted for a second chain positioned in the X-direction, based on the space requirements of the complete system.
"The project with Schuster Maschinenbau clearly demonstrates how we use existing resources and our many years of expertise to develop fast, efficient and economical solutions for our customers' individual requirements," emphasizes Sebastian Wassermann, Managing Partner of WASSERMANN TECHNOLOGIE GmbH.
