Aurubis, a supplier of non-ferrous metals and copper, is investing 18 million euros in a new training center at its headquarters in Hamburg. Around 1,700 square meters of space had to be newly furnished. Bedrunka + Hirth were chosen as the company fitters.

In consultation with Aurubis and with the help of the 3D planning tool Google SketchUp, project consultant Michael Schmid planned the furnishing of the hall, with digital networking, a clearly defined safety concept and the greatest possible flexibility as the premises. 74 workbenches were placed, special rooms such as the welding area and noise cabin were integrated, group workstations were set up and mobile and stationary cabinet systems were arranged around the planned CNC lathes and milling machines.

Finishing touches such as the fronts of cabinets and workbenches in the Aurubis design were also implemented. One of the practical details of the opposing workbenches is that they have power ducts with 220-volt sockets, 24-volt laboratory sockets and compressed air that are accessible from both sides. Perforated walls made of sheet steel with an internal acoustically insulating insert were mounted horizontally on the extra-thick 40 millimetre workbench tops, into which inserts from the drawers can also be hung. These inserts were fitted with tools according to Aurubis specifications.

The drawers of the workbenches are secured with the programmable electronic locking system Salto. The locking system is part of Aurubis' specific requirements, according to which the respective trainee is only granted access to defined drawers, tools or accessories. They can only access the key to a machine with proof that they have had the necessary training. The relevant information is stored on a transponder card (contactless chip card). The electronic goods issuing system TSM (Tool Server Modular), which Bedrunka + Hirth supplied with a touchscreen monitor and software, also knows whether someone is allowed to remove the limit plug gauge or the 3-point internal micrometer. The system immediately checks the correct return and the number of times a particular measuring system or CNC tool has already been used.

"The electronic goods issuing system from Bedrunka + Hirth was particularly interesting for us," says Aurubis training manager Nils Gerstenkorn. This includes not only the far-reaching networking of individual areas, but also the desired flexibility to be able to react quickly to changes. The large number of mobile drawer cabinets supplied by Bedrunka + Hirth in a heavy-duty design with pull-out stop, individual locking, central locking and soft-close closure are probably predestined for this. They are always where they are needed. as