Investments in the future

With further investments in new processing and testing equipment for chain and sprocket production, Wippermann jr. GmbH continues to follow its proven path of combining capacity expansions with state-of-the-art technology.

For the production, the company has invested in a new CNC processing centre by as well as an automatic sawing machine. The two new systems ensure constant quality of the sprockets even for large quantities with narrow tolerances.

“In addition to quality, the investment also focuses on optimising the processes,” explained Thomas Rafflenbeul of Wippermann Engineering. “The new CNC machine tool enables us to process the sprockets in one step. In a single clamping set-up, the thread can be milled into the workpiece and grooves or internal gears can be shaped. Leaner production processes significantly reduce our delivery times.” Three-dimensional models in computer-aided design (CAD) can be fed directly into the system, which converts the data into a milling programme and turns it into a workpiece.

To ensure constantly high quality, a 50-kN tension testing machine is also available at Wippermann’s own laboratory for tension testing of the workpieces. In addition, the 1,000-kN tensile tester by Losenhausen was retrofitted to computer-aided operation.

Rafflenbeul: “With our investment in the quality testing system, we were also able to optimise our QA processes. This results in faster testing cycles of the workpieces including compliant test sequences and fully-automated evaluation.”

The modernisation of the production and testing systems will also be pursued beyond the current investment, explains Rafflenbeul: “We are taking further steps towards industry 4.0. In concrete terms, this means that we are creating the system conditions today and can leverage the opportunities of digitalisation and the associated efficiency enhancements for the benefit of our customers now and in the future.”