Witte van Moort
Witte van Moort first in Europe to install new automation from AP&T
Witte van Moort in the Netherlands is the first metal forming company in Europe to install a production solution that incorporates the new generation of automation products from AP&T. The new products are significantly lighter, more energy efficient and faster than previously, which enables increased cost efficiency and productivity.
“Our existing press robots from AP&T have functioned very well ever since they were deployed over 20 years ago, but it was time for a generational shift with a view to the future,” says Edwin Smelt at Witte van Moort.
Among other things, Witte van Moort specializes in deep drawing, welding and 2D and 3D laser cutting of complex-shaped and high-quality steel products. The company’s highly automated production is concentrated to Vriezenveen in northeastern Holland. Customers include a large number of international companies that focus on everything from construction equipment, farming machinery and trucks to equipment for materials handling, food processing and medical technology.
There were several different requirements involved during the procurement of the automation equipment. The solution needed to have a compact design, be able to move heavy blanks of varying sizes, handle one or two blanks per press cycle and connect to the existing control units for presses and tools. It naturally also needed to leave as small an ecological footprint as possible.
“The core of the solution we presented is an entirely new SpeedFeeder press robot, with 20 percent higher acceleration speed and 10 percent lower energy consumption than the previous generation. The design is based on well-tested standard modules, and it has few unique parts, which also ensures a high degree of reliability and availability,” says Stefan Hildebrandt, area sales manager at AP&T.
That AP&T was able to produce an installation-ready solution in a relatively short amount of time was also an important factor in Witte van Moort’s choice of cooperation partner. Since AP&T has successively automated several of the company’s production lines previously and has good know-how of the business, there was a great deal of confidence in the company from the start.
“We are naturally very happy to be able to continue helping Witte van Moort develop and improve its production. By means of in-depth discussion with the customer, our agent in the Netherlands, our European organization for Sales & Service in Germany and AP&T in Sweden, have jointly produced an optimized solution. It has been a smooth and very gratifying process.”
“We can offer simple and quick automation of both new and existing presses, together with a complete range of services such as maintenance, operator training, upgrades and much more – all as a means to ensure that the equipment performs optimally during the entire life cycle,” says Stefan Hildebrandt.
More information about Witte van Moort is available at www.wvm.nl
August 2017