Issue n. 3 - April 2005Download pdf - BLM GROUP

From 500 to 300,000 parts per annum
“All the tube working machines purchased by
RELEM have been supplied by BLM. There have
been very rapid technical variations in our manufacturing
programme and the machines have
enabled us to adapt to the changes required and
still remain competitive” stated Andrés Palau, the
company’s joint owner. He added, “The production
technology available from BLM has integrated
totally with the characteristics of our manufacturing
systems”.
“We produce support tubing for windscreens on
the BLM DYNAM0 and BLM NC832 tube bending
machines; these parts look simple to produce
but require high degrees of accuracy and repeatability.
On the BLM Planet CNC tube bender
we manufacture, in aluminium tube, components
for automotive air conditioning units. Working
directly from coil stock (which provides significant
material scrap reductions), then combining –
straightening, end-forming, bending, final cut-off
and unloading of the finished component – on
one machine, in a fully automated and continuous
process, achieves the lowest possible costper-component.
Production batches...
The needs of the automotive sector have a huge
influence on production programmes and RELEM
have always looked for the best possible solutions;
very strict tolerances, high value materials
(stainless steel and aluminium), an ability to work
with pre-assembled tube and total quality control
over all the parts being worked.
“An important element, in our constant search for
efficiency in technology and the production
process, is our collaboration with the BLM Group,
who have a global vision of the automotive market
and can supply advanced technologies for
tube working processes as well as the support of
properly qualified personnel all the time.”
To win against the odds
“The availability and reliability of the machines
is paramount,” Andrés Palau continues,” in a situation
where our clients can give us an order at
8.00 a.m. by internet and expect it to leave the
factory by 11.00 a.m. the same morning. Not all
our customers are this demanding, obviously –
but it’s upon the most difficult requests that we
measure our performance.”
“We have a high level of competence and experience
in our factory which helps us to confront
the requests which pose particular problems. We
are able to manufacture our own tooling and ensure
they are as perfect as possible. This is equally
important for the automation and control of the
production processes.”
“Once we’ve got over these particular problems,
we have to start all over again with another request.
It’s this environment that stimulates us and
helps us win against all odds.”
Number 3 - april 2005 INSPIRED FOR TUBE Automotive
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