Vaasa-based SOP-Metal Oy has taken into use an over 1.5 million euro total investment in a production system for copper and aluminium flats and busbars, also including the necessary factory changes. The whole includes the German EHRT Gantry automatic storage system imported by Fredko and the HC80 Professional punching center. In addition, one EHRT HoleCut punching machine already in use has been connected to the automatic storage system.
Subcontracting partner for the electrical and energy industry
SOP-Metal manufactures busbars and other subcontracting products requiring high material competence for the electrical and energy industry. Core competence is to manage the conducting of electrical currents and their insulation all the way from design to component manufacturing. “With this investment we are able to meet our customers’ developing needs even better and to offer high-quality products significantly more efficiently,” tells Managing Director Sami Kuntola and adds: “The new production system increases our capacity and especially shortens our delivery times. This supports our long-term growth targets and strengthens our competitiveness in international markets.”
EHRT Gantry automatic storage system
Already since 2017 EHRT’s developed Gantry automatic storage systems have been delivered around the world, and in October Finland’s first arrived at SOP-Metal. Automating the storage and loading feed of flat material removes previous manual work phases and improves the efficiency of piece handling, enabling even unmanned production. The storage system includes, e.g., the export of flats from packing boxes to vertical storage locations or return import, as well as automatic positioning and loading. These improve the accuracy and speed of piece handling.
EHRT HoleCut80 Professional punching center
The new HC80 punching machine enables a more versatile, more accurate and faster punching and cutting phase than currently, improving production flexibility and efficiency at SOP-Metal. The thickness of the flat material to be processed grows to 20 millimetres thanks to the high punching and stripping force. Six tool stations are available, in each of which a 6-station Multitool tool can be used. Tool change is fast and ergonomic, because an assisting lifting device has been integrated into the machine. With the punching machine, it is possible to cut with one stroke a flat bar 260 mm wide and 13 mm thick. Programming, nesting, production planning and order queues are made ready in the office with the PowerCut and PunchPro programming programs developed by EHRT.
Fredko as importer and local service partner
Fredko Group has cooperated with EHRT already since 1997. Today Fredko acts as EHRT’s importer, in addition to Finland, in the Baltic countries as well as Sweden and Norway. “Our FredBest customer service is responsible for local warranty and repair maintenance together with EHRT’s remote customer service center, as well as spare part and tool deliveries,” explains Fredko Group’s Sales and Product Manager Marko Tuominiemi and adds: “Our service technicians carry out, regarding EHRT systems, the installation, training and commissioning phases in cooperation with the factory’s commissioning engineers, and we independently handle individual machine deliveries. In addition, we carry out scheduled inspections and maintenance according to our FredCare maintenance program in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.”
