WERKZEUGMASCHINENBAU SINSHEIM GMBH (WMS), the service specialist within the DVS TECHNOLGY GROUP, retrofits machine tools from a wide range of different manufacturers and branches, and thus makes the machines fit for the future. Just recently, the company updated a CNC centredrive lathe belonging to a German customer to the very latest mechanical and electronic standard. Financial benefit for the customer compared to new purchase: 50 percent.
For more than 20 years now, WERKZEUGMASCHINENBAU SINSHEIM GMBH (WMS) has been offering its customers a comprehensive and high-performance service portfolio for machine tools from a wide range of different branches and manufacturers. The range of services on offer covers all commissioning and repair measures, maintenance, modernisation, spare parts deliveries and numerous special services such as customised planning of suitable machining technologies or accompanying production processes from start to finish. The globally operating service specialist based in the Kraichgau region of Germany has extensive experience and expertise in the field of retrofit, i.e. the mechanical and/ or electronic general overhauling of existing machine tools. The wide-ranging benefits of a retrofit compared with purchasing a new machine are obvious. Alongside the lower investment costs, which are particularly due to neither new tool systems nor a new clamping concept and foundation being necessary, machine operators do not have to be retrained to a new machine during a protracted and expensive process. In addition, machining programs which have been working reliably for years and the retrofitting of advanced automation concepts allows the machine to be adapted to changes in workpiece shapes and qualities. At the end of the day, by replacing old or worn components and supplementing the machines by modern advanced developments such as control and drive components, the customer gets a highly efficient machine corresponding to the technological state-of-the-art – on the same footprint and with the tried-andtrusted machine concept.
General mechanical and electronic overhaul of CNC centre-drive lathe
Just recently, the Sinsheim-based company was entrusted with the complex task of generally updating a CNC centre-driven lathe used in the US plant of a German customer. The customer’s main objective was to increase the production volume, at the same time increasing product quality and adapting the machine to a new loading and unloading gantry implemented inthe customer’s main plant in Germany. At the same time, modernisation measures were to be accomplished in order to meet legal requirements related to health and safety as well as the reduction of emissions. The machine, which had been built in 2007, was transported to Sinsheim for the general overhaul, where it was completely dismantled and cleaned after arrival. After that, both the machine bed and the accessory components were completely re-coated, as were the panelling and the slide assemblies. Due to the small size of the installation and removal space in the customer’s plant, the bulky chip conveyor was then dismantled into three individual parts to make handling easier, then fitted again. In addition, out-dated geometric components such as ball screws, guides. guide carriages and mounts were completely renewed, and the two centre-drive heads were completely overhauled including new mounts, balancing, test run and re-installation. The front-end chuck and the machine tool revolver were also overhauled. The control interface was adapted extensively to the new loading and unloading gantry implemented by the customer, while the NC-controlled machining program was revised and optimised as well. Finally, the hydraulics and coolant system were completely overworked and re-installed, and the machine was completely re-wired.
Cost saving compared to a new purchase: 50 percent
Following the complete general overhaul of the machine, it was transported to the customer’s main plant in Germany where – again with the assistance of specialists from WMS – it was integrated in the new loading and unloading portal which had been finalised in the meantime. Thanks to the retrofit, the customer now has a highly efficient production line at his disposal which corresponds to the very latest technical standard, takes up exactly the same space as before and has retained the well-rehearsed machine concept. Without having to accept any quality-related disadvantages, the customer’s investment costs were 50% lower than what he would have had to pay for a comparable new machine. Success all down the line for the customer.
Germany 
