JUNKER's RETROFiT service provides benefits for the customer by modernizing used machines and bringing them up to the latest technical standards. "Compared to purchasing a new machine, RETROFiT provides savings of up to 60%," said a company spokesperson. Renault Portugal took advantage of this program and opted to retrofit two QUICKPOINT cylindrical grinding machines.
The QUICKPOINT cylindrical grinding machines selected for RETROFiT reliably produced gear shafts at Renault Portugal in three-shift operation for 19 years. The machines required no major maintenance during their nearly two decades of operation. The upgraded machines are used in Renault's production line of transmission shafts for cars requiring the Euro 6 emissions standard. The car manufacturer also purchased new QUICKPOINT machines for this project.
The machines must produce with high precision and top-notch surface quality at maximum capacity. Nuno Almeida, Project Manager for production lines at Renault Cacia S.A., said, "We need top workpiece quality and very short cycle times. The QUICKPOINT has proven itself and is easy to operate."
During a RETROFiT, the JUNKER service team checks the machine directly at the customer site. All components are inspected and documented. The team considers the customer requirements and takes the latest safety regulations and technological advances into account when performing a technical upgrade of a machine. The machine conversion can take place at the customer site or at one of JUNKER'S production sites in Germany, the Czech Republic or Brazil.
Renault counts on JUNKER'S RETROFiT service to modernize its QUICKPOINT machines at JUNKER'S production site. Grinding and dressing spindles, as well as the workpiece spindle, receive new bearings, alignment and balancing. The infeed spindles of the machine are completely renewed, and electrical, hydraulics and measuring system are upgraded. A control system upgrade provides simplified operation and the required process reliability in the production line. JUNKER takes care of the entire RETROFiT process including transport, modernization, installation and start-up on the production line.
Most customers undergoing a RETROFiT usually need to create a buffer of workpieces to keep their assembly running smoothly. At Renault, the planning was somewhat simpler: upon completion of the machine upgrades, the modified machines are installed in a new production line, while the new QUICKPOINT machines filled in the gaps in the old production line.
"The Renault project shows that modernization is worthwhile for growing or restructuring companies," said the spokesperson. "The JUNKER RETROFiT service offers numerous advantages: low investment costs, functional expansion through modern components, higher ?exibility through new software, extended scope of application and increased machining quality. Renault Portugal intends to continue modernizing its machinery with the RETROFiT service."
For more information contact:
Erwin Junker Machinery, Inc.
2541 Technology Drive, #410
Elgin, IL 60124
847-488-0406
info@junker-usa.com
www.junker-group.com