HOT NEWS - Herkules-group.com

Metso goes for Herkules
World leader orders roll grinder with 3D-measuring system
Metso Paper Oy, located in Finland and one of the two
world leaders in the field of paper mills, counts on state-of-theart
technology made by Herkules and orders a roll grinder
type WSB 450. This machine is equipped with HCC KPM 3D
measuring system and will be installed in a service center of a
new paper mill in Europe, on time for the start-up of the service
center in middle of 2007.
For the very first time, the machine will be equipped with
3D measuring and correction grinding technology. These addon
features to the proven HCC KPM measuring caliper ensure
ultimate precision in terms of geometry and a high degree
of quiet running during operation and thus guarantee for failure-free
high-speed production – one of the most important
economic demands in paper manufacturing,
The measuring system is a result of an upgrade of the conventional
2-point measuring caliper into a 4-point measuring
arm. On the basis of extensive calculations and practical tests,
our R&D teams both in Siegen and Ford City have developed
a measuring system which meets highest requirements in
terms of precision and which considerably stands out from
the crowd of systems offered by our competition.
According to Metso Paper's definition, the roll itself represents
the most important functional unit of a paper mill. The
new roll grinder is able to machine rolls with a total weight of
more than 100 tons, diameters of 2000 mm and a maximum
grinding length of 13.000 mm.
HOT NEWS
HCC KPM 3D Measuring System at Herkules WS 450 Monolith
The world market for paper mills is served by only two
manufacturers and thus is quite clearly laid out and transparent;
consequently, competition is very strong. And that is
exactly why we very take special pride in having received this
order from Metso Paper, proving their trust in the trend-setting
leading-edge technology provided by Herkules.
New development for China
Herkules WS 450 for Gevisa
Advanced Training at Meuselwitz
5 Years Herkules Latin America
Succession of generation

CHINA FIRST HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Herkules UWS 1100
New development for China
In order to meet the specific requirements of this Chinese roll
manufacturer, main machine components were redesigned.
The UWS 1100 grinds rolls with a diameter of 2.600 mm and
length of up to 12 meters. Rolls weighing up to 150 tons are
accommodated between centers, without steady rests. During
test grinding, this high-precision machine achieved roundness
accuracies of 2 µm and even better.
Another important feature of this machine is its measuring
device, particularly designed for roll manufacturing in that it is
able to record and calculate axial positions. The well-proven
KP10 control allows for automatic grinding of tapered roll necks.
The results of the test run – carried out in our facilities in
Siegen before the machine was released for shipment to the
customer's works – were very much to the satisfaction of the
attending Chinese delegation. Klaus Knoblauch
Herkules UWS 1100 for China First Heavy Industries
HERKULES SALES DIV. EAST, MOSCOW
Most successful accounting year for
the office in Moskau
The representative office of the HerkulesGroup in Moscow,
under the leadership of Arkady Agabekov, looks back on an
exciting and successful year 2005. Continuous market presence
and comprehensive customer service were awarded with a
variety of new orders and successful new business.
OMK Steel in Vyksa ordered the first complete Herkules roll
shop including a roll shop management system (RSMS). For
the Severstal Plate Mill 5000, the only wide strip mill in Russia,
Herkules will deliver a grinding machine for grinding large
work rolls. The first Herkules Monolith roll grinder was ordered
by Severstal in Cherepovets for their hot rolling mill.
NLMK and Uzmet ordered Monolith combination roll grinders
for machining work rolls and back-up rolls, equipped with
state-of-the-art HCC KPM control and measuring equipment.
MZPW in Magnitogorsk bought a Monolith roll grinder and
in addition three lathes for machining newly cast rolls. After
two years of successful high-performance operation of a Herkules
roll grinder, NKMZ ordered a second machine in the same
design, and AMK ordered two heavy duty roll grinders to be
installed in the new plate mill.
The majority of orders were placed by registered Herkules
customers, already operating Herkules machines for years. In
addition, we also convinced new customers of our innovative
technology, our competence and our excellent service. This
market holds many more exciting projects and the promise
that business in year 2006 can become as successful as was in
year 2005. Dietmar Härtel
HERKULES NORTH AMERICA
Herkules WS 450 for Gevisa
The Herkules manufacturing facility located in Ford City, PA,
recently delivered a new Herkules WS 450 L grinder to the Gevisa
(General Electric) Company in Campinas, Brazil. This grinder
is a departure from the traditional Herkules roll grinder in that
the machine will be utilized for grinding large electric motor
shafts. To provide ultimate grinding accuracies, the Herkules
grinder incorporates adjustable headstock and tailstock centers
for microscopic adjustment capabilities.
This machine delivery is yet another example of Herkules
working with its customers to define, design and manufacture
special grinding equipment for special product applications.
Bruce Baldwin
Herkules WS 450 L for Gevisa

Advanced Training at Meuselwitz
MASCHINENFABRIK HERKULES MEUSELWITZ
Looking ahead: Advanced Training in
Meuselwitz
Many companies, especially those located in the eastern part of
Germany, complain about lack of skilled workers in certain
fields and are not at all or only poorly prepared for that point in
time, when a whole generation of specialists will be going to retire.
To avoid such a situation, the companies of the HerkulesGroup
already today concentrate on training and advance training of
their employees.
Together with the Chamber of Commerce in Gera, we were
able to set off, plan and organize another extraordinary advanced
training program: 17 young technicians, while working in
their usual jobs on the shop floor or in the design department,
will at the same time further qualify to finally become foremen.
The Chamber of Commerce in Gera, convinced of our high
training standards, offered to conduct this program on site at
Maschinenfabrik Meuselwitz.
In recognition of our employees' strong efforts, we are glad
to fund this program by accepting a third of its cost. This initiative
very clearly reflects the HerkulesGroup philosophy on training:
higher-than-average qualification of our employees
secures the economic future of the company and guarantees for
our competitiveness on the world markets. Helmut Bartmann
HERKULES LATIN AMERICA
5 Years Herkules Latin America
Since the foundation of Herkules Latin America (HLA) in
January 2000, more than 20 new Herkules machine installations
and modernizations of existing roll shops have been successfully
realized on HLA's territory. Thus, regarding CNC
grinding equipment for roll shops, Herkules now holds a 70 %
market share. Thanks to everybody, who contributed to this
success and we are looking forward to the next years working
with you. Here are two of last year's highlights:
Following a complete modernization of a Herkules grinder
in 2001, Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) placed the
order for a brand-new state-of-the art combination roll grinder
type WS 600 CNC with Herkules last year for their integrated
aluminium plant in São Paulo state, which is considered to be
the largest of its type world-wide. This order is a special honor
for Herkules, because the Votorantim group, to which CBA
belongs, received in 2005 the prestigious award "Best global
family business 2005". Among earlier award winners were
companies Barilla from Italy and Henkel from Germany.
Also in 2005, an ultra-modern Herkules tungsten carbide ring
grinder, model HSF 2 CNC, was delivered to the 500.000 t/year
rebar mill of the Mittal group, located in Point Lisas, Trinidad &
Tobago. Besides the grinding function, the machine has two
further integrated heavy-duty devices for milling the notches
and the logotype into the grooves. With this real combination
grinder/miller, there is no need for re-accommodating the
rings and the machine utilization is maximized.
Since the number users of the Herkules CNC control HCC
KPM 10 in Brazil keeps growing, HLA organized the 1st Workshop
for Brazilian roll shop technicians in Vitória, Brazil in
October 2005. About 30 participants from top companies such
as CST, CBA, Novelis, Belgo Mineira, Gerdau Açominas, Gevisa,
Cosipa, Alcoa and CRC do Sul attended the two day event.
Highlight was the visit at CST, with a formal presentation of
CST, a tour of the works, and of course the visit of their highend
roll shop. The workshop proved to be an important platform
for exchanging know-how between Herkules CNC users,
and it is planned to be held regularly, next time also inviting
Herkules users from abroad. Christoph Druffner
HLA Users Workshop in Vitória

Plant Manager Rolf Müssener and his successor Thomas Meyer
MASCHINENFABRIK HERKULES
Succession of generations at
Herkules Siegen
After having successfully managed our production facilities in
Siegen, Rolf Müssener delegated his duties on January 1, 2006
to his successor, Thomas Meyer. "His profound engineering
knowledge, his well-defined, and sensitive leadership as well as
his integrative efforts earned him deep respect and high appreciation
from all his colleagues", so the management. "Even in
times of rough economic conditions, he successfully fought for
keeping every single job on the floor.
During all of his working life, Rolf Müssener focused on
young people's education, apprenticeship and advanced training.
He himself trained Thomas Meyer and later on decided
that he should become his successor. Maybe, because he was
convinced that Thomas Meyer would be more than competent
to do this job, always in line with our Herkules tradition.
Rolf Müssener has a major part in the successful and expansive
development of the HerkulesGroup. Staff members, colleagues
and management thank him for the many years of
trustful cooperation and wish him all the best for his new stage
in life.