For effective assembly, you need good tightening systems – that is clear. However, just as important as appropriate tools are tightening conditions, materials and human factors. Atlas Copco Tools has a specialized team of consultants to deal precisely with these topics. The team provides industrial users with holistic tightening technique planning taking into account all the relevant factors.
Engineer Matthias Schildhauer is one of our experts from this team. In this Expert Hub interview, he describes the added benefits provided for by professional tightening technique planning. He also clears up a point that is often misunderstood and gives rise to unwarranted reservations concerning these services.
Expert Hub: “Mr. Schildhauer, Atlas Copco offers several different services for tightening systems. Why do we provide such a variety of services?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “Because tightening is becoming more and more complex. I do not just mean the mechanical process that generates a clamping force in a joint by tightening screws or nuts. In addition to this core process, it is necessary to take into consideration a wide variety of codes and standards, material pairings and other conditions in planning and implementing a tightening operation. Our service range is just as multifaceted as the range of tightening operations themselves. The objective is to provide the best possible holistic individual solution for any tightening application.
Expert Hub: “Does that mean that you provide different planning services under the overall heading of tightening technique planning?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “Yes, that is correct. There are virtually unlimited options. Ideally, we provide support to our client for tightening processes right from the start and continue our services through each phase of the project:
The project starts with the design and development of a product and continues via the shaping of assembly processes in prototype and pre-series production via the planning and implementation phase through to series production. Our experts are available for each individual step. We provide advice and always recommend the best solution – from click-type torque wrenches through to fully automated assembly stations. Customers can also call upon our services for a selected project element or a specific project phase.”
[Potential customers will find a clear and concise presentation of planning services for the typical five product phases, together with case studies, on the Atlas Copco website at https://www.atlascopco.com/nl-nl/itba/local/planning-tightening-technique-assembly-processes/planning-services]
Expert Hub: “Does this mean that customers have unlimited freedom to decide on the support they actually require?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “Precisely, many customers highly appreciate this flexibility. Some companies have their own departments responsible for tightening systems and may only need our support for a selected, precisely defined project element. Other companies expect full-scale support for tightening technique planning. For both cases – and for all scenarios between these two extremes – we offer the best possible solution.
In the final resort, the client must and can be sure that all the relevant factors have been taken into consideration with a view to developing a secure-process production facility, a production facility that takes into account all the relevant codes and standards as well as internal and external regulations and ensures that the customer can reliably produce a safe, high-quality product.”
Expert Hub: “Thank you for this overview, which sounds highly confident. You say that Atlas Copco can provide support both for the development of an individual new product and for the optimization of an entire existing production facility. How can that be the case?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “Because we are fully committed. We really take care of our clients and consistently pursue their interests. Our clients’ requirements guide us through a project. We focus clearly on economics and quality at the same time as considering the economic aspects in the planning of tightening systems. Irrespective of the size of the project, clients who opt for our planning services do not “just” receive a committed consultant.
Clients benefit from access to the entire Atlas Copco network. We can assume responsibility for any liaison required, coordinate further suppliers, monitor internal departments, intervene in the event of deviations from the plan, take corrective action and ensure that everything runs in a smooth and trouble-free way. For many potential customers, it will probably be interesting to learn that we also work independently from individual brands.”
Expert Hub: “Could you please tell us a little more about that? After all, Atlas Copco is a tool manufacturer – how can you work independently from individual brands?!”
Matthias Schildhauer: “This is a question that people often ask and I can well understand why they are skeptical. However, tightening technique planning is part of our service organization, which operates entirely independently from our tools business. For example, our service teams have already maintained and repaired tools produced by other manufacturers for some time now.”
Of course, as planning service providers, we are very pleased if a client chooses to purchase tightening systems from Atlas Copco in addition to our expertise. However, that is certainly not a must. If a client wishes to use equipment from other manufacturers in assembly for whatsoever reason, we are also pleased to integrate this equipment. As I already said, we represent the customer’s wishes in our project work and see the situation from the customer’s point of view. This also means that we distance ourselves from our background as a manufacturer of tightening systems. To put it simply, it does not matter whether the nutrunners used by our client for its project are blue, red or yellow.”
Expert Hub: “It may take months or even years until a product is ready for series production. How can you ensure the necessary continuity?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “We create continuity through long-term project support. Our tightening technology specialists are assigned to a project for its entire duration as this is a critical and responsible function. They keep a continuous overview as project managers and coordinators between the various interfaces. A strategic partnership of the type we offer could not be sustained using consultants replaced at short notice.”
The five project phases and support options from Atlas Copco Consulting
Expert Hub: “What sectors can derive the greatest benefits from your tightening technique planning services?”
Matthias Schildhauer: “The automotive industry set off on the path towards smart connected assembly at an early stage. However general industry and the machinery and engineering industries have been catching up fast for several years. These industrial sectors are becoming increasingly demanding and implementing the Industry 4.0 philosophy. It is therefore not possible to give a general answer to this question. For example, developments in the renewable energies or agricultural sectors are also impressive. In technical terms, bolted joints on wind turbines or combine harvesters are just as demanding as those on vehicles. Planning services for tightening systems can therefore help manufacturers in all sectors who use bolted joints.”
Expert Hub: “Finally, what about the cost? How can tightening technique planning services pay for the customer
Matthias Schildhauer: “Professional tightening technique planning services will always pay. Firstly, because the effective design of tightening systems prevents expensive errors in assembly and minimizes the risk of product recalls. Secondly, a clearly defined process ensures that a product is manufactured at the right cost. The Atlas Copco consultants take a holistic view of processes and can offer customers a wide variety of concepts with respect to conditions (e.g. personnel costs), the technology to be used (cycle times) and their budget.
The customer can then select the most appropriate concept and has considerable influence on the time taken to recoup its investment in our support. In most cases, the payback period is significantly shorter than one year, not even including the optimization effects of cycle time reductions, higher station capacity deployment or better ergonomics.”
Expert Hub: “Mr. Schildhauer, thank you for this interview!“
Concept comparison based on investment costs and cycle time