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Foundry Corporate News Topic Patternmaking, mouldmaking and tooling & Rapid Prototyping, rapid tooling Topic Pressure Die Casting

A development partner par excellence

Krämer+Grebe sets new standards in the tool design for cylinder heads

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There is a first time for everything, as also recently in the history of the Mannheim Foundry, a longtime producer for Daimler AG. In order to meet the highest quality criteria and at the same time to produce highly efficient, a tool concept was developed from scratch for the first time in collaboration with development partner, Krämer+Grebe, for the new cylinder head core production of the 10.7L to 15.6L Heavy Duty Engine Platform (HDEP) engine generation to tie a well-tried. Together, the partners have created a double-core core forming tool that sets new standards in design and quality while significantly reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Nothing but the best
For decades, these leading companies have been working together on prototype developments, and even though core mould tools are always regarded as a 'matter of course', they are very much essential for the manufacturing of innovative products with qualitative excellence. Especially when it comes to quality standards, compromises are not an option - it is only "The best or nothing” according to the in-house motto.

In order to fulfil these challenges of toolmaking, the company was looking for a partner with whom it could independently develop an innovative tool concept that would meet all of the company's own standards and the highest demands in subsequent production. As a long-standing trusted partner for the tool production of cylinder heads, among other things, the mould and toolmaker Krämer+Grebe was chosen. 

Particularly due to their maximum flexibility, the use of the latest technologies, simulation and production methods, an extremely tight timeline, and a demanding development loop, Krämer+Grebe was the perfect partner for a development project of this scale. With the plan first being considered in 2015, in late summer 2016 the go-ahead was given for the joint project to develop a completely new and more efficient tool concept.

The starting point was the existing single-core cylinder head mould. From there, special features of the new concept should include double engraving, ease of maintenance, functionality and robustness. By means of FEM calculations, in particular, the latter could be guaranteed. A specific focus during the tool design was also placed on stress reduction and minimisation of deflection, as well as the analysis of various load cases, such as shooting head and load carrier. The highlights of the entire development process were comprehensive core process simulations in several development loops, which made it possible to redefine bullet holes, ejection and venting at an early stage of the process. Overall, the tool concept is now optimised in such a way that it has an extremely positive effect on maintenance, lifetime and repairs. This is of great importance for the new concept, as it extends the production cycles, significantly reduces the amount of amine required as well as the original tool weight by 600kg.

An equally faithful process companion throughout the entire concept development and of high importance for the final construction was the decisive criterion of minimising the TCO. According to Katrin Grebe, managing director of Krämer+Grebe, an essential point within every development process, still a truly holistic and early focus is often considered too rarely. Therefore, among other things, also the philosophy of using standard parts in such developments is crucial for its success.

This represents not only a considerable cost factor but also increases the ease of maintenance. Due to the overall complexity and amount of demands towards the new tool concept, it is no surprise that the cooperation between the two companies had to be built on a maximum level of trust and continuous exchange of experience. As a result, the tool was directly adapted to the "State of Art Technology" in order to achieve the best possible production performance.

On July 24, 2018, the innovative double girder core mould was officially handed over to the foundry in Mannheim and therewith completed to the fullest satisfaction of both companies.

What significance does this step actually have in retrospect for the companies and the industry?
Together, they not only created an innovative and efficient core mould for the HDEP cylinder heads, but have taken it a further and far-ahead step towards a technological future. All of this would, of course, not have been possible without the valuable exchange of experience with Krämer+Grebe, a partner who completely convinced throughout the process and was once again able to prove the unique performance they accomplish as a development partner.

What counts the most is: only together we are strong.
Thus it was possible for both parties to develop a tool concept that not only makes every foundry heart beat faster but above all sets new standards. We can therefore already be excited about future projects of this development partnership.

Company Info

KRÄMER+GREBE GmbH & Co. KG

Ludwig-Grebe-Straße 5
35216 Biedenkopf-Wallau
Germany

Telephone: +49 6461-80080

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