Virtually, you already have your new machine.

Production optimising, component modification, new quality requirements or even a new production site - there are lots of reasons to update existing machinery.

The highly efficient solution for this problem is called: REMANUFACTURE.

As international market leader in remanufacture, our specialists are predestined to provide you quick, uncomplicated and result-oriented help.

Conversion, modernisation and overhaul of transfer lines, special-purpose machine tools and equipment of all makes are part of our core business. The spectrum includes rebuilding of individual stations up to redeployment and restarting of complete production plants, with simultaneous rebuilding and retrofitting. Our experience gathered during the implementation of such projects opens up to you an economic and convenient alternative with regard to the purchase of new equipment. This is a clear strategy for a balanced cost-benefit ratio.

Example

Relocation of 39 transfer lines, together with special-purpose machine tools (five complete production lines) from Austria to Brazil

When VOGTLAND Technology personnel entered the automotive plant in Austria, a cylinder block line (15 machines), a bearing cap line for crankshafts (2 machines), a cylinder head production line (12 machines), a camshaft bearing cap line and a con-rod line were all up and running. First on the to-do list was defining the project with the customer. This meant determining all the jobs involved and who would be responsible for each one. Basically, VOGTLAND Technology had to do everything except load the machines onto the boat, handle customs, and truck the cargo from the shipyard to the final destination.

After this planning stage, the lines were disassembled and made ready for the journey. VOGTLAND Technology packed all five production lines into about 800 wood and steel boxes. The company then cleaned up the original plant and turned its attention to preparing the Brazil plant. Once there, VOGTLAND Technology workers cleaned, repaired and rebuilt a number of line components, such as lights and switching elements.

Some of the machines were retrofitted so the production lines could run a new engine type. Also, electrical systems needed change to handle the new plants 60 Hz output - lines had been running on 50 Hz in Austria. In all, about 10% of the job was rebuilding. Then our staff had to make sure that the new production site would have been completed before the boxes start arriving, in order to ensure a smooth re-assembly. For example, coolant systems had to be in place and foundation work had to be completed. After this we focused our attention on re-establishing the production lines original operating conditions. The lines had to reach the same standards in Brazil as they did in Austria. VOGTLAND Technology guaranteed the same quality and the same part accuracy for all the 5 lines, or even an improvement of cycle times.

At their new home, the lines were repainted and reput into operation. VOGTLAND Technology then tested all the machines by running parts and verified that they were at the same or better tolerances and cycle times. Company personnel then stayed for the official startup to help train operators on the lines.

One production line, five production lines, a whole plant

The biggest challenge of the Brazil project was the sheer massiveness of the lines, boxes, and logistics. Just locating the right machine at the right time had a major impact on how smoothly the operation went. Fortunately for the parties involved, this was not the first time VOGTLAND Technology moved a transfer line overseas. In a former moment the company remanufactured and relocated (also to Brazil) one complete cylinder block line. That line had been equipped with new electrical control systems, hydraulic power packs and pneumatic systems. Other elements of the production lines were remanufactured for part design changes. The whole work was done complying with the latest labour protection and safety regulations. Originally running in Germany, the production line had an output of 1800 components / day (three shifts) at a 30 sec cycle time. The individual sections of the production lines included 16 transfer lines for mechanical machining, 2 washing machines, 2 leak test facilities and one assembling machine. This project gave us the confidence to tackle the later five-line job. Since then we belong to the few global enterprises that could gather experiences of this significance.