Boris Kemper, Head of Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection, is pleased with the "Schauer Fuchs" safety award from the Wood and Metal Employers' Liability Insurance Association at the Schaeffler location in Schweinfurt (from left to right). Harald Göbel, Technologist Production; Project manager Christoph Popp; Petru-Catalin Scafaru, Plant Manager Schweinfurt, and BGHM Supervisor Peter Volland.

"Smart Fox" of the professional association wood and metal for innovative security concept
Modern robot and control technology combined with existing equipment
Schweinfurter Schmiede sets new standards in safety technology

The professional association for wood and metal (BGHM) has awarded the security prize "Schlauer Fuchs" to the blacksmiths of the Schaeffler location in Schweinfurt. The award was for the significant increase in occupational safety combined with improved ergonomics.

Man and robot work hand in hand
In order to increase the occupational safety at the highly stressed heat workplaces, the specialist team in the smithy now uses an industrial robot. So far, workpieces with a weight of up to 300 kilograms and a temperature of around 1,200 degrees Celsius had to be manually put into the press, but now this is taken over by colleague Roboter. The machine, whose working area is protected by a cage, also handles the further transport to the next work step.

Technical challenges mastered - created a new standard
At the press itself, the danger zone was improved by the installation of safety light curtains. The technical challenge was to optimize this system with the control electronics in such a way that despite heat radiation, smoke, tinderflight or flames due to deflagrations a trouble-free continuous operation is possible. In several stages of development this could be achieved together with experts from the BGHM and partner companies. The result is according to BGHM "safest combined new / old forging plant on the market". Schweinfurter Schmiede has thus set a new benchmark in safety technology, which is also the basis of a trade association standard.

Occupational safety is a top priority
Petru-Catalin Scafaru, plant manager at Schaeffler in Schweinfurt, praised the team at the award ceremony, who was not only able to avoid investing in a new forging press, but also saves energy through shorter cycle times and the use of efficient drives. "The most important aspect is the significant improvement in occupational safety. This topic is particularly important to us in all areas at the Schweinfurt location, "said Scafaru.