Globally active producer of metal components, Germany-based Fischer Group, has chosen AP&T’s solution for hot forming of high-strength aluminum parts. The award-winning technology enables extremely rational and cost-effective production of complexly designed components of various aluminum alloys (6,000 and 7,000).

By replacing conventional sheet metal with high-strength aluminum, component weight can be reduced by up to 40%, without forsaking strength. This also lays the foundation for increasing use of this type of material in cars, jets and other applications for reducing energy consumption and increasing safety.

Hans-Peter Fischer, CEO of Fischer Group, said: “We have chosen AP&T as a partner for this innovation due to its long experience with the technology itself and its outstanding expertise in automation and press building.

“In addition, we are very pleased with the modular system which allows us to adapt line output to increases in required capacity. Finally, the servohydraulic press is a step forward in achieving energy efficient production to optimise the CO₂ footprint of forming technologies.”

A complete, fully automatic high-strength aluminum hot forming production line from AP&T is planned to become commercially operational at Fischer’s facility in southern Germany this summer.

The equipment includes AP&T's servohydraulic press, which enables high-precision forming control throughout the press cycle and is considerably more energy efficient than conventional hydraulic presses.

Christian Koroschetz, AP&T chief sales officer, said: “To start with, the line will be used for small and medium-size manufacturing volumes, but thanks to the flexibility of our modular system of standard components, it will be possible to expand the line and scale up production at pace with demand.”