Renault Portugal is taking advantage of Junker's retrofit offer and having two Quickpoint cylindrical grinding machines retrofitted. The selected machines have been reliably producing transmission shafts in three-shift operation for 19 years. No major maintenance has been carried out on the machines in almost two decades. They are currently being retrofitted at Junker. The car manufacturer will then use the modernized machines at the start of a new production line. Transmission shafts for vehicles with the Euro 6 emissions standard will be manufactured there. Renault Portugal has also purchased new Quickpoint cylindrical grinding machines for this project.

The machines have to produce at maximum capacity with high precision and very good surface quality. Nuno Almeida, project manager for production lines at Renault Cacia, appreciates the reliability of the Quickpoint cylindrical grinding machines. He continues to rely on this type of machine: "We need top quality workpieces and very short cycle times. The Quickpoint has proven itself and is easy to operate."

During the retrofit service, the Junker service team checks the machine directly at the customer's premises. All components are inspected and documented as an inventory. When technically upgrading the grinding machine, Junker responds to customer requirements and takes into account the latest safety regulations and technological advances. The conversion work can be carried out on site or at one of the production sites in Germany, the Czech Republic or Brazil.

Individual modernization

Renault relies on Junker's retrofit service and has the Quickpoint cylindrical grinding machines at the Junker plant modernized. The grinding, workpiece and dressing spindles are being re-stored. New mechanical feed spindles are installed in the cylindrical grinding machine. The electrics, hydraulics and measuring system will be renewed. An upgrade of the control system ensures simplified operation and the necessary process reliability in the production line. Junker manages the entire process, from transport and modernization to integration into the production line.

It goes without saying that the newly machined gear shafts are set up on the machine. In order for these modernization measures to be carried out, it is normally necessary to pre-produce so that production can continue to run smoothly. At Renault, the planning was somewhat simpler, as the machines will be integrated into the production line currently under construction after the conversion. The resulting gaps in the old line were filled with new Quickpoint cylindrical grinding machines.

The project with Renault shows that modernization is worthwhile in the event of restructuring or growth. In general, we recommend taking a look at the retrofit service, as it offers numerous advantages: low investment costs, functional enhancements thanks to modern components, greater flexibility thanks to new software, an extended range of applications and increased processing quality.

Renault Portugal intends to continue modernizing its machinery in the future with the retrofit service. Nuno Almeida: "In the next few years, the Jumat grinding machines will also be overhauled. At the moment, these machines are not yet able to work on the new transmission shafts, which can be changed with a retrofit."

According to documents from Junker / am