With reshoring of technical moulded components continuing to gain momentum, West Yorkshire-based
Forteq UK — founded in 1961 and part of Forteq, the Swiss-owned global technology group — has increased its production capacity, having invested in two high-precision IntElect 100-tonne machines from
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, after securing a number of new blue-chip contracts to supply electric vehicle (EV) components.
Forteq UK predominantly serves Tier One automotive customers, and supplying electric vehicle components is now one of the company’s key business strategies, and adds to its manufacture of parts for air suspension, engine timing systems and fuel filtration systems — plus actuator gears.
Paul Wallis, Forteq UK’s managing director, said: “Forteq UK is striving to ensure it maintains and grows its automotive business content during the market transition to hybrid and full electric vehicles. We are investing in equipment and processes that support this, while at the same time improving our sustainability and environmental impact.
“In the domestic market we aim to support re-shoring programmes — and offer capacity on large machines that enable the local supply of large components. Our other niche products comprise 2k components, precision gears, and over-moulded parts — all associated with high-precision products.”
One of the IntElect machines is being used to to manufacture worm wheel gears used in vehicle power steering applications, as well as a wide range of components deployed in wiper systems, door latches, window regulators, geared actuators and seating systems.
Describing the complexity of the worm wheel project, Steve Roberts — Forteq UK’s business development manager — said: “It involves the over-moulding of precision-machined steel hubs. These are placed into the mould tool on a collapsing collet that centralises the gear. The gear ring itself that forms the helix plastic teeth is highly complex and engineered at our gear competence centre in Switzerland. Moreover, to maintain seamless production, both IntElect machines are integrated with a cartesian robot and conveyor to ensure careful handling of the final products.
“The IntElect’s generous tie bar spacing and mould height means that automation to assist with insertion and the removal of parts is easily accommodated and ensures that components with special aesthetics are protected from dents and scratches, while high-grade polymers have time to cool and harden. The use of robotics integrated into the injection moulding cells also allows us to meet stringent cleanliness requirements.”