Geze develops and produces door, window and safety technology, in total several thousand different products. The company has more than 3,200 employees worldwide and achieved a turnover of more than 430 million euros in the 2017/18 financial year. Production takes place at the headquarters in Leonberg near Stuttgart as well as in China, Serbia and Spain. Sales and service are provided by 33 subsidiaries worldwide.

Geze's quality management system is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001, and compliance with standard specifications is verified through extensive series of tests on the test bench. The team leader for testing and prototyping at Geze, Patric Schlecht, explains: "In addition to mechanical products such as door closers and fire protection doors, our company's product range also includes solutions that contain a high proportion of software, such as sliding and revolving doors, as well as safety technology, for example fingerprint systems and panic locks. Another important area is test stand technology." The team leader's aim is to adapt the best methods of automated testing, such as those used in the automotive industry, for Geze.

The Leonberg-based company was looking for an automation partner for this. In SEW-Eurodrive, they found a similarly structured, large family-owned company from Baden-Württemberg, which, like Geze, is geared towards the long term. Both family-owned companies focus on achieving sustainable earnings instead of short-term profit maximization. And both companies have already been recognized as top employers. Consequently, all company activities are committed to the concept of sustainability. "These similarities are a good basis for a reliable business relationship," says Matthias Ott. As a sales representative in the Stuttgart technical office of SEW-Eurodrive, he is responsible for the sale of services.

The control cabinet contains the Movi-PLC power controller and the Moviaxis servo drive system. © SEW

Compliance with the normative regulations requires regular verification, which is provided by extensive test bench tests. The previous testing technology at Geze was to be replaced. It was older, cost-intensive and worked with pneumatic drives. Their fluctuations influenced the test results. They therefore had to be replaced by new test benches.

SEW received its first inquiry over three years ago. It initially concerned a feasibility study for a new test bench. A prototype was then built and optimized in several iteration steps. Finally, the test benches were built. Geze was responsible for the mechanical design. The SEW service included the test bench concept developed with the customer and the engineering. This included the drive design, application programming, safety concept and control cabinet construction as well as the electrical installation and commissioning. Matthias Ott: "In close cooperation with the customer, we analyzed the task and overcame any technical hurdles that arose."

Ott continues: "The special thing about this project is our Life Cycle Services, which at Geze cover almost the entire system life cycle. Starting with the initial orientation through to use and modernization. In the utilization phase, this includes, for example, compliance with lubrication intervals, regular maintenance, monitoring of calibration - all this SEW data is reported to Geze's SAP system." Test manager Schlecht adds: "This allows us to see, for example, that the test bench is being used to full capacity." The entire testing technology was designed with this in mind. Geze simulated everything in advance.

The test bench was completed in summer 2018 and has been in operation ever since. No problems have occurred during this time. SEW's drive and automation technology also contributes to the success of these test bench trials. Matthias Ott explains: "At SEW-Eurodrive, service is an inseparable part of the company philosophy. A clear advantage for the customer is that we can supply the drive and control components as well as the software from a single source." Another plus point was that an SEW customer advisor was the main contact person for the project. This significantly simplified project coordination.

Patric Schlecht is satisfied with the collaboration: "We wanted a competent partner with innovative technology, from design to implementation. We have found this partner in SEW-Eurodrive!"

G.Mau/as