"The Peiseler solution has convinced us completely," emphasizes Marcus Witt, Chief Technology Officer at Metrom. His company specializes in parallel kinematic machines with five axes, which guarantee the accuracy and rigidity of stationary processing machines in mobile applications. One such machine is also integrated in the mobile factory. The rotary table from Peiseler forms the sixth axis in the concept and, in addition to positioning the component, enables the complete utilization of the installation space. "This special design from our partner is ideal for our specific requirements," emphasizes Witt. "We no longer want to do without it."

A key factor here is that Peiseler has implemented a cooling concept developed in-house for this rotary table. A special faceplate is used, in which cooling water is pumped via a rotary distributor. "This has enabled us to significantly reduce the high temperatures generated by arc welding on the faceplate and therefore directly on the workpiece," reports Marc Gronau, Sales Manager at Peiseler. "The sealing technology for the cooling medium water is extremely complex, but as we develop and manufacture our rotary distributors ourselves, we have an excellent handle on this."

Peiseler opted for an aluminum alloy for the face plate of the rotary table because it is rust-free and has very good thermal conductivity properties. "In addition, our design engineers have continuously optimized the components used in additive manufacturing," explains Gronau. "In this respect, they can even cope with the harsh conditions of build-up welding."

For Metrom's Head of Technology Witt, the water-cooled faceplate offers decisive added value: "Peiseler's cooling concept is unique on the market. This is indeed exceptional and crucial for additive manufacturing with arc deposition welding." Before contacting Peiseler, his company also asked other suppliers for a suitable solution. However, they all had to pass. Jahn, the project manager responsible for the MSF at Bionic Production, sees it the same way: "The cooled table is the absolute non plus ultra for the WAAM process we use."

Huge potential expected

All three partners see excellent prospects for marketing the Mobile Smart Factory. Whether sales, rental or contract work, the unique hybrid system in a container is of interest to customers from a wide range of industries. In addition to mining technology, Bionic Production is also targeting potential customers from the maritime shipping sector, the oil and gas industry, the rail sector and mechanical engineering.

The company sees huge potential in these areas when it comes to minimizing downtimes and high costs. This applies all the more to production facilities in hard-to-reach locations. "The increasingly important aspect of sustainability will also provide a further major boost," adds Daniel Beck, Managing Director of Bionic Production. "This is because the reduction in costly logistics, for example for the procurement of new parts, will result in considerable_{CO2 savings}."

In addition, the difficult supply chain situation in many areas will be a strong driver at present. This is because the possibility of decentralized production helps to at least somewhat reduce possible instabilities. "In this respect, I am extremely confident that we have very good opportunities with our mobile production, which is unique on the market and can be used worldwide," emphasizes Beck.