Fenton, Michigan – Since the mid-1990s, Atlas Technologies, Inc. has supported the manufacturing operations at the Whirlpool Clyde, Ohio facility, when Whirlpool Corporation invested in new stamping systems to produce major panels for their laundry products.
At that time, Atlas Technologies was chosen to provide two (2) Atlas Flex 5000 electronic transfers to automate press operations and optimize the output of the press cells. Since then, Whirlpool has consistently maintained the equipment and consequently, these press cells continue to be the source for major panel production. Each press cell has completed approximately 65 million cycles and is still increasing.
In 2013, Whirlpool approached Atlas to develop a plan to upgrade or replace the transfers as part of a modernization program for the press cells. A detailed technical and financial evaluation led the team to conclude that employing new technology on the existing machine frames was desirable over the option to replace the units entirely.
As the mechanical integrity of the existing transfers is solid, Whirlpool’s decision to refurbish was based upon these factors:
• Major machine frames and details are being reused, reducing cost and preserving natural resources and energy.
• Rigging expenses are significantly reduced because main frames stay in place.
• All drive train and bearing surfaces are replaced and upgraded, and all electronic controls and human interfaces are replaced, providing the latest technologies in drive control, performance, and system diagnostics.
All upgrades available on a new transfer are being implemented on the refurbished transfer, including but not limited to, (a) new rail connection techniques, (b) new wireless electrical connection methods for part tracking, (c) electronic torque monitoring, and (d) new Kinetics Drives from AB/Rockwell Automation.
Atlas technicians will install and launch the refurbished transfers at the Whirlpool facility. Refurbishment costs are approximately 75% of the cost of new transfers for this remote launch.
“Our relationship with Whirlpool is more than simply that of a capital equipment supplier,” says David Kuch, Sales Account Manager at Atlas Technologies. “It’s truly a collaboration, as we continually seek innovative ways in which to respond to our customers’ technology requirements for accurate, repeatable and reliable systems while maximizing production volume and minimizing equipment operating costs.”
About Atlas Technologies
Atlas Technologies has been building creative automation solutions for over 42 years and has installed over $1 Billion dollars in systems worldwide.
Atlas Technologies’ strong product offerings include turnkey stamping and fabricating systems, heavy-plate and bar-steel processing equipment, robotic integration, quick die-change equipment, automatic storage and retrieval systems, both conventional and robotic stacking and de-stacking systems and in-press transfer systems.
To learn more, please contact Atlas Technologies directly at (810) 629-6663.