CPT International 02/2018

FETTLING & FINISHING
Matthias Schweizer, Filderstadt
Perfect grinding for aluminum
framing components
A tier-1 die-casting supplier in Slovakia manufactures complex aluminum framing components
for premium vehicles. A state-of-the-art system delivered by automation specialist SHL AG,
headquartered in Böttingen, Germany, provides these components with perfect grinding. Eight
robots feed the parts into each processing station and then deposit them for further processing
of quality and the system operates with complete reliability. SHL has delivered an entire manufacturing
line for handling, loading, processing, unloading, and extraction processes
With the construction of a new hall,
the supplier also put its production to
the test in order to optimize processes.
In conjunction with this, the company
was searching for a solution for the automated
grinding of body panels that
have complex geometrics, known as
suspension seatings. The requirements
were clearly defined: the parts needed
to be free from burrs and fire cracks in
order to then be able to adhere them
without issue. On top of this, the system
needed to operate reliably with a high
output: a pair of left and right suspension
seatings needs to be finish-ground
every 140 seconds (Figure 1).
One of the largest systems in
the company’s history
A total of eight competitors took part
in the call for tenders. Ultimately, SHL
The handling robot moves on a transfer track measuring roughly 26 m long and loads the processing cells (Photos: SHL)
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