Fundiertes Marktsegmentmanagement zur Erfüllung der Kundenbedürfnisse in der Fluidtechnik
Hydraulik, Pneumatik, Verfahrenstechnik als Teilbranchen
Die Fluidtechnik ist eine der wichtigsten Zulieferbranchen für die gesamte Industrieproduktion. MAPAL führt diesen bedeutenden Bereich als eigenständiges Marktsegment und unterstützt Kunden bei anspruchsvollen Bearbeitungen als Lösungsanbieter.
Die Produkte der Fluidtechnik finden in einer Vielzahl an Absatzmärkten Anwendung wie etwa Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, Energie- und Umwelttechnik, Automatisierungstechnik, Druckmaschinen, Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen oder Nahrungsmittel- und Verpackungsmaschinen. Getrieben von weltweit steigenden Bevölkerungszahlen sind vor allem Landtechnik und Baumaschinen sowie Infrastrukturprojekte absolute Wachstumsmärkte. Dabei ist der Blick auf eine Wachstumsbranche für MAPAL nicht der einzige Grund, die Fluidtechnik in den Fokus zu nehmen. Die zu zerspanenden Werkstoffe Gusseisen, Stahl, rostfreie Stähle und Nichteisenmetalle eignen sich bestens für das Produktportfolio des Werkzeugherstellers. Über die Ausführung anspruchsvoller Bearbeitungsschritte hinaus kann MAPAL hier als Technologiepartner den gesamten Prozess weltweit unterstützen. „Die Bedürfnisse der Kunden passen zu unserer MAPAL DNA“, analysiert Jochen Schmidt, der das Segment Fluidtechnik leitet. Technologiepartner zu sein, heißt für ihn, sowohl die Kundenbedürfnisse als auch das Produkt und dessen Funktion im Endprodukt zu verstehen.
One such end product might be an excavator. Using a lever or a joystick to move loads weighing several tonnes to their destination with millimetre precision means that every single movement must be executed very precisely and reliably to ensure perfect interaction. Each lever is connected to a specific valve housing. The more functionalities the machine has, the more of these valves are installed in series. The number of parts that can be moved during excavation corresponds to the number of hydraulic valve housings installed. For Jochen Schmidt, manufacturing them is the supreme discipline in the world of hydraulics. For many years, MAPAL’s expertise has been in demand for the spool bore in the valve housings. The gap size with the spool depends on the accuracy of this bore and is very narrowly defined in modern hydraulic valves so that the hydraulic oil can only flow in the required direction.
In addition to hydraulics, the fields of pneumatics and process engineering are also the focus of the fluid power technology market segment. As a technology driver in automation technology and the digital transformation, pneumatics is the key to increasing productivity in industrial production. Valves and cylinders of any design and requirement are focal components for MAPAL, for instance. The performance of such components in the overall system depends on tiny details that can be decisively influenced by MAPAL solutions. Typical products in process engineering include valves, pumps, compressors and actuators. “It’s everything to do with the movement, control and regulation of fluids”, explains Jochen Schmidt. Components in this division typically also feature functional properties that are associated with high requirements for the manufacturing process. In addition to machining these specific components, MAPAL also offers complete solutions for the entire part. Just as in hydraulics and pneumatics, MAPAL also has a wealth of experience in machining components for process engineering.
Based on the applications already implemented for existing customers, MAPAL has developed specific solutions for fluid power technology. They reflect many customer and component requirements. Clear best practice examples each deal with specific production situations. MAPAL designs the tools for these in a way that always results in the most cost-efficient process. That not only includes completing pre-machining and semi-finishing swiftly, but also keeping an eye on downstream processes and closely monitoring the further development of the parts. “The requirements for fluid power parts have increased significantly in recent years”, Jochen Schmidt highlights. “On the one hand, sustainability plays a role, which is reflected in efficiency increases, for example in mobile machines, and the even greater prevention of leaks through enhanced precision. On the other hand, increased levels of accuracy are required for valves that have to function optimally both in machines in cold storage and in very hot areas in order to be able to meet all operating conditions. As a technology partner, we pursue these developments together with our customers.”
A technology partner with a broad portfolio and global presence
MAPAL can contribute its full product portfolio in the fluid power technology sector for the benefit of its customers. From the milling cutter and solid carbide drill, the boring tool and the multi-bladed reamer to the fine boring tool, the technology partner’s full range of products is used for safe and reliable component machining. Due to the high level of part variance and large variety of workpiece materials, the flexible actuating technology has also proven itself and is very popular on the market.
With its application solutions, MAPAL takes into account different production volumes, part complexities and precision specifications. In doing so, it addresses the specific needs of global corporations as well as medium-sized enterprises in the field of fluid power. A particularly close technology partnership also enables tool management with individually adaptable service packages. Once the part has been designed, the tool manufacturer supports companies’ production worldwide from its subsidiaries around the globe.
Für die Bearbeitung eines Pneumatikventilgehäuses und eines Pneumatikzylinders kann MAPAL auf sein Know-how und Produktportfolio für die Aluminiumbearbeitung zurückgreifen.
