Constellium Singen GmbH is expanding with the addition of a new aluminum extrusion production hall at its largest site in Germany. The new plant will enable the company to increase its production capacity for high-quality aluminum profiles in a variety cross-sectional geometries, as well as to more flexibly respond to the growing demand from the automotive industry.
As part of the new expansion, Constellium has placed an order for a 45-MN extrusion press from SMS group. The new press will be equipped with a highly precise linear guidance system for all its moving main components and servo drive technology for all auxiliary functions. The EcoDraulic system will also be installed on the hydraulic pumps — providing an energy savings of up to 10% compared to modern presses operating without that system. The intelligent start-stop automation deactivates all hydraulic pumps not required for the extrusion process.
The scope of supply will include crucial auxiliaries, such as billet loader and dummy block lubrication system and a self-adjusting discard shear, which automatically adapts to the height of the tool package and ensures optimum and clean cuts. An electrically operated linear billet loader with a telescope gripper will make sure the aluminum billets are safely and quickly fed to the press, while reducing down time.
For the control and optimization of
The production process of the new press will be controlled and optimized with a modern software and hardware package. The smart Process Information and Control System (PICOS.NET) visualizes and coordinates the control of individual areas throughout the press line and provides an array of further useful functions — for example billet length optimization, billet recording, and fault diagnosis. The Computer Aided Direct Extrusion (CADEX) process software serves for the optimization of the extrusion process. It simulates the process and provides best possible extrusion parameters for isothermal and isobaric extruding. The combination of these tools is said to improve product quality and provide optimum utilization of the press force.
Commissioning of the new press line is scheduled for summer 2020.