FORSTNER was the missing piece of the puzzle
FläktGroup is the leading manufacturer of air technology and supplies innovative, energy-efficient ventilation solutions of first-class quality. To ensure high production standards, the globally active company relies on two FORSTNER multicoil lines.
The integrated scissor lift table and individually secured,
separately controllable safety doors allow the coils to be set up in parallel with production.
Cutting waste costs almost halved
Before FläktGroup in Wurzen, Germany invested in FORSTNER´s multicoil systems, the processing machines were supplied with prefabricated sheet material from a sheet metal tower – a suboptimal solution, as FläktGroup attaches great importance to high production efficiency and high depth of added value:
“The main reasons why we decided invest in the coil lines are obvious: optimization of cutting waste costs, simplified material procurement, better purchasing conditions, greater redundancy, more flexibility, easier handling, and less packaging waste,” explains Andreas Dittrich, Head of Prefabrication at FläktGroup in Wurzen.
“In our standard portfolio, we were able to reduce cutting waste from 30% to less than 18%. In the project business, we are down from well over 30% to just under 22%. This is a very good figure for one-off production. We can also pass on the high level of flexibility to the customer, as they can switch between four material grades within a single order,” continues the mechanical engineer, who joined FläktGroup as an appliance fitter in 2010 and has held management positions since 2016. Andreas Dittrich therefore knows the company inside out and knows exactly which adjustments he needs to make to optimize the production processes.
„The multicoil systems from FORSTNER are exactly what we were missing in our production – the missing piece of the puzzle.”
Andreas Dittrich, Head of Prefabrication at FläktGroup.
Over 260 tons of sheet metal throughput
FläktGroup processes over 260 tons of thin sheet metal per month in Wurzen, Germany. The state-of-the-art machine park equipment includes fully automated punching and folding centers and, since 2019, multicoil systems from FORSTNER. These have been integrated into a two-stage process:
“You must involve the employees and allow them the opportunity to get used to the new production process, adapt to it, and learn the new technology. And we first wanted to see whether the Forstner systems could really deliver what we had expected of them.
That’s why we initially invested in just one machine. Less than two years later, the second Multicoil from FORSTNER followed,” explains Andreas Dittrich. “The investment in the two machines was right and important. This has enabled us to take another major step towards process optimization “.
The 6-roller straightening unit meets the requirementsWhen it came to straightening, there was initially a certain amount of uncertainty among those responsible at FläktGroup: Would FORTSNER´s straightening unit meet the high-quality requirements? Is the sheet metal cuts from the coil – keyword coil curvature – flat so that the processing machines can produce flawlessly?
To be prepared for all eventualities and to be able to react quickly, if necessary, the system was designed in such a way that retrofitting with a leveling machine would have been possible without any problems. Andreas Dittrich: “Despite Forstner’s assurances, we were a little unsure and wanted to play it safe. However, it quickly became apparent that the Forstner straightening unit fully met the requirements and we therefore did not have to invest in a cost-intensive leveling machine.
The modular multicoil systems each consist of 4 decoilers, sheet metal tracks,
a multi-table and a 6-roll straightening unit with guillotine shear and flatness measurement.
Partnership at eye level
Andreas Dittrich is also very satisfied with the renowned coil line specialist from Feldkirch in Austria when it comes to the so-called “soft facts” such as technical expertise, personal commitment, and proactive action. “A good product is the basis of the business. If we then also find similar values to ours in our business partner – ambition, initiative, responsibility, and team spirit – then nothing stands in the way of long-term cooperation and partnership at eye level. We felt that we were in good hands with FORSTNER right from the start.”
“It is really impressive to see the level of efficiency and quality at which the FläktGroup produces here.”
Joachim Schäfer, Head of Industrial Sales at CIDAN Machinery Group.
From left to right:
Sven Kämmerer (CIDAN), Andreas Dittrich (Head of Prefabrication at FläktGroup),
Thomas Schreiner and Joachim Schäfer (both CIDAN), are pleased about the successful cooperation.
Key advantages of the FORSTNER Multicoil
- Minimization of waste
- Fast, fully automatic material changeover
- Coil stations are loaded in parallel to production time
- High level of automation and easy-to-use control system
- Fulfillment of high-quality requirements
- Reduction of stock levels
- Flexibility in material procurement and purchasing
Facts and figures FläktGroup
FläktGroup’s product portfolio are the most comprehensive on the market. It includes high-quality products for improving indoor air quality, which also save operating costs and protect the environment. The internationally active company operates 9 competence centers for the research and development of new products, 13 modern fabrics in Europe, Asia, and the USA, branches in 20 countries and is present in 65 countries with its global network of long-term partners. The group employs around 3,500 people worldwide. The name “Fläkt” means “fan” in Swedish.
Facts and figures CIDAN Machinery Group
The CIDAN Machinery Group is one of the leading producers of innovative sheet metal working machines, user-friendly, self-developed software applications and customized service packages for companies in the sheet metal industry. With the Group, global customers have a strong “one-stop partner” at their side, offering the most comprehensive machine portfolio on the market: from manual segment folding machines and modular machine solutions to highly efficient systems for fully automated sheet metal profile production.
The Group’s headquarters is located in Götene, Sweden, and was founded in 1907. The globally active group has around 350 employees, 3 own factories and 4 renowned brands:
CIDAN (metal folders and metal shears) from Sweden, Forstner (coil lines) und nuIT (software) from Austria and Thalmann (long folding machines) from Switzerland.
The Multi-Coil from FORSTNER offers numerous advantages such as significant cutting waste
minimization, fully automatic material change and loading of the coil stations during production.