Production Line Retool & Retrofit
In last five years, we retooled about 20 production lines, which included over 700 sets of machines for top Auto OEMs.
The machine types we have retooled and retrofitted: HMCs, VMCs, single spindle machines, dual spindle machines, three spindle machines, lathes, grinders, special-purpose machines, gantries, robots, AGV systems, honing machines…
The work scope of retooling projects is normally covering:
new process flow design, rearrange & relocation machines to optimized line layout, machine rebuild and recovery, retrofits or new fixtures, new cutting tools, replace or renew inline gages, upgrades or new automatic loading and unloading systems or devices. upgrading control system, adding part tracking system and/or MES system interface….
We have served most famous Auto OEM customers in China.
Reference Project
We have been carrying out of various of production lines renewing projects and combined retooled CNC machines over 700 units
The First Line with Over 100 Machines
Our first large engine block & head production lines retooling project which included over 100 machine tools for a big Auto OEM deliveried in 2017.
The entire project involved new process, fixtures, cutting tools, loading devices etc., on 108 machining centers.
Retrofit of NEV Component Line
Components for electric vehicles are a hot topic we pay close attention to. In this project, we retool and retrofit eight machines, integrated two new gantries, and retrofit the manual loading machines used for machining cylinder heads and cylinder blocks into a fully automatic electric vehicle component production line.
Complex Retrofit
The project consists of 51 machining centers, from 4 different machine brands. All machines need to be relocated to a new facility in different city. A number of new gantries with new parts handling units were also integrated.
The equipment includes single spindle machines, dual spindle machines, single table machines, and dual tables machines, we also convert the manual loading machines to automatic loading machines. The process involves traditional fixtures and zero-point positioning fixtures.
In addition to the technical difficulties, the project also faced a strict time table. we overcame these challenges with our strong technical team and successfully delivered the project on time.
Challenging Technology
This project required the retrofit of different brand single and dual-spindle machining centers, and the integration of the customer’s multiple gantry systems. The entire project included 41 machining centers and 11 gantries for cylinder heads and blocks.
To meet the production capacity requirements, we redesigned one of the customer’s dual-spindle special machines into a double-sided gun drill, increasing the spindle’s maximum speed from 4000 RPM to 7000 RPM,
To adapt the customer’s need for flexible adjustment of the parts handling between two face-to-face machine tools, we completely redesigned and manufactured the units with 3 servo axes, fully solved the difficult issue.
Integration of New Gantry System
The project was consisted of 22 machining centers used over 10 years and 6 new gantry robots. The customer request that all machines must be overhauled, accuracy recovered, and integrated with 6 new gantries for full automation test run in our factory. The retooled system passed the CMK acceptance.
Integration of floor rail robot system
This project involved the renovation of 32 sets of machining centers used for processing cylinder blocks and heads, with automatic loading and unloading. NT provided 3 robots with floor rail units, 5 gantries, and automation modifications. The floor rail unit is designed with full protection, which solved the problem of leakage.
Integration of AMR System
This project involved a cylinder head and block production line consisting of 110 machining centers. In addition to the retrofits of the gantries, fixtures, and cutting tools, we added 4 new machining centers under the gantries as well as 100 zero-point adaptor plates.
A new AMR system has been installed and integrated with the loading robot to achieve fully automatic operation from the warehouse to the production workshop.
