New sheet molding compound presses are delivered to European molder of automotive components
By Staff | April 01, 2004
Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co. KG (Eppingen, Germany) recently delivered high-precision sheet molding compound (SMC) presses to European automotive molder Peguform GmbH & Co. KG (Bötzingen, Germany). The large presses, ranging in pressing force between 8,000 and 25,000 kN/1.8 million to 5.6 million lbf (lb of force), will be used to manufacture trunk lids for Mercedes, spoilers for BMW passenger cars, and hoods and hatchbacks for SMART cars. SMC material is supplied by Menzolit-Fibron (Vineuil, France). Peguform is owned by the Venture Group of automotive parts suppliers, headquartered in Fraser, Mich., U.S.A.
Source: Dieffenbacher
Under the contract terms, Dieffenbacher had to deliver the presses in a record six months, from the time of the order to the scheduled first part production. Installation and startup had to be completed within five weeks to prevent the holdup of other manufacturing processes and scheduled part deliveries. The units were tested and pre-commissioned at Dieffenbacher's facility prior to delivery, and were shipped in as nearly complete form as was possible. This reduced assembly time during onsite installation, enabling the pressmaker to successfully meet the schedule.
According to Dieffenbacher, SMC provides for lower system costs at identical production rates as compared with metal parts. "Composite materials will definitely play a major role with future outer parts for vehicles and in further ambitious development programs," says the company.
