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trailer world issue One 2008

Issue One 2008 33 boxes, in which the sand forms the mould. In the new machine the brake discs are cast with molten iron from the centre outwards. As a result the molten mass is distributed evenly and the finished parts are particularly homogenous. 280 boxes can be filled per hour – com- pared with 120 per hour with the old installation. As a result the Busch foundry has been able to accept more orders, increasing sales by 52 % from 2005 to 2007. Since last year another new major order from a Scandinavian lorry manufacturer has been cranking up business: “We are already thinking about expanding capacity still fur- ther,” says Wolfgang Krappe. One of the certifications to which Busch has voluntarily subjected it- self is in compliance with ISO TS 16949. It requires a quality manage- ment system that provides for customer orientation and continuous im- provement, among other things. “We want this type of pressure,” says Krappe. And sound insulation and environmental protection are anoth- er important factor at Busch, not least because the foundry is located right next to a residential area. That is why the foundry has also had an environmental management system in compliance with DIN ISO 14001 for four years. For example, the lost heat from the smelting operation is captured using thermal oil and used for other processes and to heat the whole factory. In its storage facilities Busch uses special identifi- cation technology: Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID for short. The storage locations are provided with what are known as tags (which are transponders set into the floors of the warehouses). In this way it is possible to check whether everything is where it should be at any time – and to locate every part. “This provides a high level of booking security,” says Wolfgang Krappe. “So we can be even more reliable and prompt with our de- liveries.” Busch is one of the very first companies to use this technol- ogy. “We want to set ourselves apart from the competition and to be always one step ahead.” On 1 October 2007, Busch concluded a joint venture with Hun- garian Rába AG: They now intend to operate a foundry together in Györ, in the northwest of Hungary, employing the nodular graphite casting process. The foundry has a modern, electric smelting opera- tion, which can produce seven tonnes of material per hour. How- ever, the very old moulding installation will have to be replaced by a new one, which will come into operation in 2009. Nodular graphite casting enables the companies to manufacture products that can only be produced by this casting process: for example hubs and housings. When the new moulding installation is in operation, the capacity then available is to be used to supply even more customers. (jg) Best quality is appreciated by all customers, including BPW. »We want to be always one step ahead.« Info For more information about the M. Busch foundry, visit the website at: www.m-busch.de Technology

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