Even Jouhsen-bündgens wire processing machines start to show their age at some point, even if they perform well for a long time. Efficiency falls and product quality starts to suffer. This is when users need to take action. A general overhaul, or retrofit, can be a good alternative to purchasing a new machine.
In terms of time and costs, a general overhaul can be worthwhile for all Jouhsen-bündgens machines, whether they are used for straightening and cutting, end machining, cold forming or point grinding.
"A general overhaul of a machine costs just 60-70% of the cost of a new one," explained Dr. Peter Renz, Managing Director, Jouhsen-bündgens. "Realistically, companies need to plan around three to six months in advance to procure the necessary parts. The overhaul itself generally takes around four to six weeks. After this, the customer gets a machine that is good as new and has another 20 to 30 years of service ahead of it, all in record time. We have seen machines working perfectly even after undergoing a second overhaul."
With their basic structure made from solid steel and cast metal, Jouhsen-bündgens machines are built for robustness and durability. But the guides, lubrication system and controls in particular can all suffer over the course of their service lives. Motors and drives can become worn, or sensors can stop working properly. A retrofit can address all these issues.
Any machine sent for a retrofit is first disassembled into its individual parts. Each part is then thoroughly cleaned and checked for cracks, with any damaged components replaced. One of the advantages of having Jouhsen-bündgens perform an overhaul is that the company has access to all the diagrams for its machines. Once the replacement parts have been procured and the wearing elements processed, the next step is assembly. The machine is fitted with a new lubrication system, new electrical and pneumatic systems and a new controller as chosen by the customer.
Customers generally provide sample material, which Jouhsen-bündgens processes using original tools. The products are put through their paces before the retrofitted machine is returned to the customer, who can also perform their own quality checks if necessary.
Jouhsen-bündgens recommends customers who want to use their wire processing machines and offer excellent product quality over the long term to consider a maintenance agreement. This ensures the machines are regularly given a thorough check-up, usually once a year. Over the years, it is therefore possible to observe how wear occurs. The optional maintenance reports document whether the machine will soon be due a full or partial overhaul.
"This makes planning a retrofit easier and keeps machine downtime to a minimum," explained Dr. Renz. "Retrofitting a Jouhsen-bündgens machine is always worthwhile when the products it makes are still needed, or if the machine can be easily converted to making products in demand. This is even the case when the machine has to be shipped to Stolberg from abroad, which happens more often than one might think."
The PrecisionCut UD machine series from Jouhsen-bündgens has been on the market for a long time and due to its robust machine concept, it is ideally suited for retrofitting, the company reported. Even machines that have been in operation for 40 years are as good as new after a general overhaul.
Authored by JouhsenBundgens Inc.
For more information contact:
JouhsenBundgens Inc.
1100 South Tower
225 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-850-9753
jouhsen@jouhsen.de
www.jouhsen.de