15.01.2020
New chucks for standardized Processes
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation relies on shrink chucks and services from MAPAL
Every year, the production plant of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, MMC in Kyoto builds engines for around 1.2 million vehicles. Numerous tools from MAPAL are used for machining the engines for the Mitsubishi vehicles. In 2018, the persons responsible at MMC decided to change over multiple production lines completely to shrink chucks from MAPAL.
Shrink unit with length adjustment and large adjustment range
The persons responsible at MMC decided on a pre-adjustment and shrink unit suggested by MAPAL, which carries out the length adjustment of the tools. This unit allows the tools to be adjusted automatically. Furthermore, it was possible to design the shrink chuck without the length adjustment screw, which is usually required. This offers advantages not only with regard to automation. “We also extended the adjustment range from 10 to 30 mm,” emphasises Fukui. This increases the number of possible regrinding operations for tools considerably and reduces tool costs.
MAPAL offers full service for tools and chucks
Setting up the new production line started in November 2018. “The MAPAL employees provided us with full service. They even documented all the adjustment parameters and all the chucks and tools used. I don’t think we would have enjoyed this level of service with a different manufacturer,” Nishida describes the cooperation. The production manager was slightly concerned about the short amount of time between the provision of the shrink chuck and the planned start of production. “There was no reason to worry. All chucks were delivered on time,” says Makoto Nishida. And so production started as planned. Roughly 2,500 chucks from MAPAL are now in use.
"MAPAL operates as a group"
Nishida also highlights the communication with the individual MAPAL locations: “With tool manufacturers who have their headquarters abroad, our experience has often been that communication between the branch in Japan and the company headquarters does not work properly. There are often delays when it comes to clearing up difficulties. But we can rely on MAPAL completely in this respect as well. The company operates as a group, and, as a result, communication works very well.” MAPAL works according to the same standards worldwide and offers customers the appropriate service.
The persons responsible at MMC are completely satisfied with the support they receive from MAPAL: “The employees of the tool manufacturer visit us in production, help us to fix flaws in the process and assist with the pre-adjustment of tools. MAPAL sells not only tools, but also comprehensive service.” True to the motto of being the customer’s technology partner, further joint projects are already being planned: “For example, we want to replace the collets with shrink chucks on other production lines,” concludes Makoto Nishida.
