Grundfos reducing energy consumption and climate impact with servo hydraulic press from AP&T
Extremely low energy consumption and noise level, high precision and simple maintenance have prompted world-leading pump manufacturer Grundfos to be the first company in Denmark to invest in the latest generation of servo hydraulic presses from AP&T.
The new servo hydraulic press from AP&T will replace an older press in an existing automated line used for cold-forming pump components. Equipped with cushion and third-cylinder functions, the press will be installed at the Grundfos production facility in Bjerringbro in the spring of 2025.
“It is extremely pleasing that Grundfos, who we have collaborated with since the 1970s, is once again leading the way in investing in new press technology. With the latest generation of servo hydraulic presses, we are setting a new industry standard,” says Peter Karlsson, Key Account and Area Sales Manager at AP&T.
Peter Lund Pedersen, project manager at Grundfos, sees major advantages with AP&T’s technology.
“Now that it’s time to replace one of our old presses, we want to invest in technology that enables us to reduce our energy consumption and optimize our production process. In this respect, AP&T’s servo hydraulic press has several advantages that are in line with our philosophy,” he says.
AP&T’s servo hydraulic press distinguishes itself on a number of fronts. With tolerances of 0.05 mm, it provides exceptionally high repeat accuracy. At the same time, it operates quietly and requires very little maintenance. But its most distinguishing feature is its low energy consumption.
“In our tests, we have measured an energy savings of up to 85 percent for every stroke compared to one of our conventional hydraulic presses. It is nothing less than revolutionary in terms of climate impact and operational costs,” says Karlsson.
And reducing energy consumption is Grundfos’ main goal with the investment.
“We require at least 70 percent savings in actual operations. We also expect to achieve process stability, low maintenance costs and a better work environment with less noise,” says Pedersen.
The features of this press can be attributed to its design. Instead of pressure valves, a closed servo system with few moving parts is used. Its speed, precision and power are regulated by electrical motors.
“I usually say that the difference between our servo hydraulic press and a conventional hydraulic press is just as great as between a CNC lathe and a manual lathe,” says Karlsson.
The new servo hydraulic press is also equipped with a freely programmable operator interface enabling the customer to create their own run patterns for all their tools without needing AP&T to reprogram the entire control system. No other company on the market can offer this feature.
“Our discussions with Grundfos have not only resulted in a solution that meets their needs on all levels, but also contributed to our product development. It’s a win-win situation for both parties,” says Karlsson.
Considering the long relationship between the companies, it was only natural for Grundfos to once again turn to AP&T.
“Through the years, AP&T has supplied Grundfos with a great many hydraulic presses and made themselves an important partner. When the cold-forming process was implemented at Grundfos in 1992, collaboration with AP&T was an important factor in our success. So it was only natural to turn to them again. As the supplier of our first cold-forming presses, they are very knowledgeable of what the process requires,” says Pedersen.
Press facts
- Servo hydraulic press for cold forming.
- Equipped with three servo cylinder functions (main cylinder 275 tons, cushion cylinder 125 tons, third cylinder 85 tons).
- Handles tolerances down to 0.05 mm.
- Provides up to 85 percent savings compared to corresponding conventional hydraulic presses from AP&T.
To read more about AP&T’s servo hydraulic press