Heating and ventilation specialist has invested in hydraulic press technology to improve the efficiency and output of its pressing division and move into 'just-in-time' manufacturing.

Hydraulic press increases just in time output Heating and ventilation specialist Gilberts has invested in hydraulic press technology to improve the efficiency and output of its pressing division. The Blackpool based company helped its move to a 'just-in-time' manufacturing model by replacing four mechanical presses with a single 63-tonne Hare hydraulic press. In its first month of use the press has increased output to above that of the previous four presses added together.

Joint managing director of Gilberts, Willie Greenwood, explained: 'The new press allows us to efficiently turn around short production runs and therefore gives us tremendous flexibility in our production scheduling.' Manufacturing a large range of products, predominantly for its internal divisions, Gilberts' pressing division houses a variety of machines and tooling for applications such as punching, forming, piercing and blanking of sheet metal and extrusions.

Tool changes are therefore frequent, hence the introduction of the Hare 63HP.

One of the key advantages of switching to hydraulic presses is the speedier and simpler tool changes - an essential requirement for short production runs.

Tool change downtime has reduced by 70% as well as eliminating the need for a skilled setter to be called in for the process - operators can set the press quickly and safely on their own.

Greenwood explained: 'Set-up is quicker and also yields less scrap as we are working with controlled hydraulic pressure rather than setting to tool height.

Component quality is consistently higher, with a better draw and less splitting on forming and blanking operations.' Uptime and safety have also been improved in other ways.

Hydraulic presses do not fall under the power press regulations, hence the press will not need to be taken out of action and stripped down annually for insurance inspections.

Light screens (optical guards) are the choice of guard on the 63HP press rather than pull-down guards.

Greenwood added: 'The 'hands-free' light screens speed up each production cycle whilst making the working environment for our operators much more comfortable.

The hydraulic press is also much quieter than clutch presses.' Aside from facilitating efficient short-run production and improving health and safety, considerable space has been saved on the shop floor, with one press doing the work of four.

John Thatcher, managing director of PJ Hare, added: 'Gilberts' demonstrates how, in an economy with very high health and safety standards, a forward thinking approach to plant investment can increase output whilst simultaneously improving working conditions on the shop floor.'