The fischer Group is a global Tier 1 stainless steel pipe supplier with 2,500 employees worldwide and annual sales of 650 million euros. In 2019, the manufacturer embarked on an amazing transformation: it began hot stamping electric vehicle parts. Image: Fisher Group
The fischer Group is a global Tier 1 stainless steel pipe supplier with 2,500 employees worldwide and annual sales of 650 million euros. In 2019, manufacturers began an amazing transformation.
As a pipe manufacturer and pipe manufacturer, one of the company’s main markets and sources of income is automotive exhaust system components. The management of the family business assessed the future of the car and determined that with the advent of electric vehicles, exhaust systems would eventually be eliminated.
As a result of this assessment, the company looked for other opportunities to replace its main source of income and made a huge leap forward. The tube manufacturer has become the go-to die for hot-wrought, high-strength aluminum parts to lighten electric vehicles and other vehicles. There has never been such a blow.
“Our stainless steel pipes are closely related to internal combustion engines – exhaust systems, exhaust gas converters, oil pipes, water pipes… all the pipes necessary for the safe operation of an internal combustion engine.”
“Because times are changing now and new electric vehicles are popping up all over the place, management has been looking for new business for several years now. We still have a place in the stainless steel pipe segment for the chemical and food industries, but the future of the automotive exhaust pipe business will not continue to grow. In the long term, it will mostly decrease,” Schweitzer said.
The manufacturer installed an AP&T fully automated hot stamping line in its Achern, Germany headquarters. The manufacturer installed an AP&T fully automated hot stamping line in its Achern, Germany headquarters. Производитель установил полностью автоматизированную линию горячего тиснения AP&T в своей штаб-квартире в Ацерне, Германия. The manufacturer has installed a fully automated AP&T hot stamping line at its headquarters in Azern, Germany.该制造商在其德国阿赫恩总部安装了一条AP&T 全自动烫印线。该制造商在其德国阿赫恩总部安装了一条AP&T Производитель установил полностью автоматическую линию горячего тиснения AP&T в своей штаб-квартире в Ахерне, Германия. The manufacturer has installed a fully automatic AP&T hot stamping line at its headquarters in Achern, Germany. This process makes it possible to produce complex parts from very hard, high-strength aluminum grades 6000 and 7000. In addition, hot forming car body parts out of high-strength aluminum can result in weight savings of up to 40%, according to AP&T. In addition, hot forming car body parts out of high-strength aluminum can result in weight savings of up to 40%, according to AP&T. Кроме того, по данным AP&T, горячее формование деталей кузова автомобиля из высокопрочного алюминия может привести к снижению веса до 40%. In addition, according to AP&T, thermoforming high-strength aluminum car body parts can lead to weight savings of up to 40%.此外，据AP&T 称，由高强度铝热成型的车身部件可以减轻高达40% 的重量。此外，据AP&T 称，由高强度铝热成型的车身部件可以减轻高达40% Кроме того, по данным AP&T, детали кузова, изготовленные методом термоформования из высокопрочного алюминия, могут снизить вес до 40 процентов. In addition, thermoformed high-strength aluminum body parts can reduce weight by up to 40 percent, according to AP&T.
The centerpiece of the system is AP&T’s servo-hydraulic press, which enables high-precision forming control throughout the press cycle. The centerpiece of the system is AP&T’s servo-hydraulic press, which enables high-precision forming control throughout the press cycle. Центральным элементом системы является сервогидравлический пресс AP&T, который обеспечивает высокоточное управление формованием на протяжении всего цикла прессования. The centerpiece of the system is the AP&T servo-hydraulic press, which provides precise mold control throughout the entire press cycle.该系统的核心是AP&T 的伺服液压压力机，可在整个压力机循环中实现高精度成型控制。该系统的核心是AP&T 的伺服液压压力机，可在整个压力机循环中实现高精度成型控制。 Сердцем системы являются сервогидравлические прессы AP&T, которые обеспечивают высокоточное управление формованием на протяжении всего цикла прессования. At the heart of the system are AP&T servo-hydraulic presses that provide precise mold control throughout the entire press cycle. The servo-hydraulic press is also considerably more energy efficient than a conventional hydraulic press, according to AP&T. The servo-hydraulic press is also considerably more energy efficient than a conventional hydraulic press, according to AP&T. По данным AP&T, сервогидравлический пресс также значительно более энергоэффективен, чем обычный гидравлический пресс. A servo-hydraulic press is also significantly more energy efficient than a conventional hydraulic press, according to AP&T.据AP&T 称，伺服液压机也比传统液压机更节能。 AP&T 称，伺服液压机也比传统液压机更节能。 По данным AP&T, сервогидравлические прессы также более энергоэффективны, чем традиционные гидравлические прессы. Servo-hydraulic presses are also more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic presses, according to AP&T. The system includes:
First, the aluminum billet is heated to dissolve the material. The hot billet is then quickly moved into a press where it is pressed and then hardened. Hardening is critical to the quality of the final part. The workpiece is then moved to the aging zone, where the part is subjected to aging during the firing process. The fourth and final step is to laser cut the part to trim the outline.
Fischer had purchased a hydroforming system from AP&T in the past, and had a trusted relationship with them. Fischer had purchased a hydroforming system from AP&T in the past, and had a trusted relationship with them. В прошлом компания Fischer приобрела систему гидроформинга у AP&T и установила с ними доверительные отношения. In the past, Fischer purchased a hydroforming system from AP&T and established a trusting relationship with them. Fischer 过去曾从AP&T 购买过液压成型系统，并与他们建立了值得信赖的关系。 Fischer В прошлом компания Fischer приобретала системы гидроформинга у AP&T и поддерживает с ними доверительные отношения. Fischer has purchased hydroforming systems from AP&T in the past and maintains a trusting relationship with them. Because the hot forming process was new to fischer, AP&T provided extensive training for the staff, even training personnel on-site at AP&T’s facility in Sweden for an extended period of time. Because the hot forming process was new to fischer, AP&T provided extensive training for the staff, even training personnel on-site at AP&T’s facility in Sweden for an extended period of time. Поскольку процесс горячей штамповки был новым для fischer, компания AP&T провела интенсивное обучение персонала, даже проводя обучение на месте на предприятии AP&T в Швеции в течение длительного периода времени. Because the hot stamping process was new to fischer, AP&T provided intensive training for staff, even providing on-site training at AP&T’s facility in Sweden for a long period of time.由于热成型工艺对fischer 来说是新的，AP&T 为员工提供了广泛的培训，甚至在AP&T 位于瑞典的工厂对员工进行了很长一段时间的现场培训。由于 热成型 工艺 对 fischer 来说 新 的 ， ， ap & t 为 员工 提供 了 的 培训 ， 在 在 & t 位 于 瑞典 工厂 对 员工 了 很 长 一 段 的 现场。。。。 培训 培训 培训 培训 HI Поскольку процесс термоформования был новым для fischer, AP&T проводила обширное обучение своих сотрудников, в том числе обучение на месте в течение длительного времени на заводе AP&T в Швеции. Because the thermoforming process was new to fischer, AP&T conducted extensive training for its employees, including long-term on-site training at AP&T’s factory in Sweden.
“The transition to this process was not an easy task, because heat treatment is different from cold forming pipes. Thermal heat treatment is very new for us. It is not difficult, but it matters. You need to look at things differently,” said Schweitzer.
“In thermoforming, there are four main production processes related to temperature: solution heat treatment, heating, quenching and aging. In order to get good quality, it is necessary to maintain and accurately control the temperature. You must reach the temperature. You must very accurate time, which means, that you have to hold a particular part exactly open, but not longer, not shorter. You have to keep track of all the parts. You have to measure the parts in different ways.”
This requires serious preparation of the team. “It’s also a really interesting story because we don’t have training lines. All of this is happening during a pandemic,” Schweitzer said. Because Germany’s COVID-19 restrictions were tighter than Sweden’s, having the AP&T trainers travel to Germany or having the employees commute back and forth to Sweden would be difficult, if not impossible. Because Germany’s COVID-19 restrictions were tighter than Sweden’s, having the AP&T trainers travel to Germany or having the employees commute back and forth to Sweden would be difficult, if not impossible. Поскольку ограничения в связи с COVID-19 в Германии были более жесткими, чем в Швеции, поездки инструкторов AP&T в Германию или поездки сотрудников туда и обратно в Швецию были бы трудными, если не невозможными. Because Germany’s COVID-19 restrictions were tighter than Sweden’s, travel for AP&T instructors to Germany or staff travel back and forth to Sweden would be difficult, if not impossible.由于德国对COVID-19 的限制比瑞典更严格，因此让AP&T 培训师前往德国或让员工往返瑞典是很困难的，如果不是不可能的话。由于 德国 对 covid-19 的 比 瑞典 更 严格 因此 让 让 ap & t 培训师 德国 或 让 往返 瑞典 是 很 困难 的 如果 不 是 不 的 话。 话 话 话 话 话 话 话 话 话Поскольку в Германии действуют более строгие ограничения на COVID-19, чем в Швеции, доставка инструкторов AP&T в Германию или сотрудников в Швецию и из Швеции затруднена, если не невозможна. Because Germany has stricter COVID-19 restrictions than Sweden, getting AP&T instructors to Germany or employees to and from Sweden is difficult, if not impossible. In addition, the customer was a well-known start-up car manufacturer, whose time pressure was shifted to fischer.
“We decided to move our core team of about 15 employees to the AP&T facilities in Sweden.” “We decided to move our core team of about 15 employees to the AP&T facilities in Sweden.” «Мы решили перевести нашу основную команду из примерно 15 сотрудников на объекты AP&T в Швеции». “We have decided to move our core team of approximately 15 employees to AP&T facilities in Sweden.” “我们决定将大约15 名员工的核心团队转移到瑞典的AP&T 工厂。” “我们决定将大约15 名员工的核心团队转瑞典的AP&T 工厂。” «Мы решили перевести основную команду из примерно 15 сотрудников на завод AP&T в Швеции». “We have decided to move our core team of around 15 employees to the AP&T factory in Sweden.” There they worked for about four months to complete their training. He said this proved to be the best way to get employees up to speed as quickly as possible, although travel and accommodation were quite expensive for the company and it was difficult for employees to be away from family during this time.
“It’s a very steep learning curve. I don’t think it can be done with occasional workouts, phone calls and video conferences. In the end, this is the best decision fischer can make to meet a customer’s needs.”
Today, Fischer produces hot embossed bodywork, side panels and battery protection – a total of 10 different SKUs. Schweizer estimates that manufacturers are ready to produce 300,000 to 400,000 hot-forged, high-strength aluminum parts per year.
Thermoformed body parts such as this B-pillar made from high-strength aluminum can reduce weight by up to 40 percent.
The 50 year old family business is in its second generation. Founder Hans Fischer was succeeded by his two sons, Roland and Hans Peter, the latter of whom is CEO. Fischer has factories all over the world – in Germany, Canada, China, South Africa, Austria, Mexico, Uruguay and the USA.
Schweitzer said the inclusion of hot stamping in expanding its capabilities is an important step for the company.
“This is a really big event. I would say that this is one of the biggest changes in the company’s history.” “It makes it easier to invest in new technology… open a checkbook to do this job.”
Significant investments in equipment can have a long payback, but it is important for the family management to make the right decisions about the direction of the company in order to secure its future.
“Because this is a family business, the management of our company is really looking at the long term. They want to develop the company for the next generation. They are not looking for short term profits, they are looking for a safe company. the solution is clear. Other businesses need to be found to have a secure future,” Schweitzer said.
The hot forging process allows the formation of complex parts of varying strength and deep drawing, complex geometries and small radii from very hard, high-strength aluminum grades 6000 and 7000.
Keith Bachman is the editor of STAMPING magazine. She is responsible for the overall editorial content, quality and direction of STAMPING magazine. Bachman has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor in the manufacturing and other industries.
STAMPING Journal is the only trade magazine dedicated to the needs of the metal stamping market. Since 1989, the publication has covered cutting-edge technologies, industry trends, best practices and news to help stamping professionals run their businesses more efficiently.
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