Page 20 - MetalForming June 2019

Servo-Feed Improvement
A new servo drive and controls package powers an existing coil feed at Wellington Industries in Belleville, MI. This retrofit delivered accurate material feed and improved productivity on an 800-ton-press line used to produce parts for automotive oil-baffle assemblies.
capabilities and targeted new market segments. The capacity and capability boost proved beneficial when GM came calling during the 2008-09 downturn. The automaker asked Wellington to take in a number of large dies from distressed suppliers in the marketplace, with GM subsequently impressed with Welling- ton’s ability to begin producing parts from these dies within a 24-hr. period.
The mid-sized manufacturer cur- rently produces parts and assemblies for powertrains and fuel systems, ther- mal and heatshield systems, and body structures—delivered worldwide. And, it has mimicked its homegrown capa- bilities where needed. For example, Wellington added a turnkey operation in Peru, IL, to be closer to customers, and can duplicate that facility any- where that OEM and Tier-One cus- tomers would require, according to company officials.
Better Servo-Feed Performance a Must
Wellington maintains press lines in capacities from 60 to 4600 tons, the largest for transfer work, according to Chris Richards, director of engineering. The lines gobble up materials ranging from aluminum to high-strength steels to produce seating components, side pillars, B pillars and more, destined for Tier Ones and OEMs. Production of tough components on tough materials for demanding customers continuously tests the lines’ feed capabilities. To ensure continued high-quality produc- tion, Wellington has examined feeding, and decided that retrofits were in order.
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MetalForming/June 2019
www.metalformingmagazine.com
A coil-handling drive/control upgrade on a vital press line at this Michigan top-tier auto supplier lifted part quality and line capacity.
BY LOUIS A. KREN, SENIOR EDITOR
For a stamping operation, the decision to go big is not easy, nor is factoring what that means for the equipment needed to feed the larg- er, hungrier presses. Just ask the folks at Wellington Industries. Founded in 1949 as a major tool supplier to the Big Three, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, Wellington Industries went private in 1971. In 1987, the company established its headquarters in Belleville, MI, with one facility dedi- cated to metal stamping, and the other to welding and assembly.
It was in Belleville, in the 1990s, that management decided to add larger- capacity presses along with robotics. Since then, Wellington has enhanced its expertise in advanced metal forming technologies, increased value-added