It has been a long time since we implemented the first panel line for MEYER WERFT GmbH & Co. KG in Papenburg. Panel lines are a combination of milling and joining technology. In addition to a cross-edge and longitudinal edge milling machine, the Papenburg line also includes a laser hybrid welding system. The system has been in continuous operation since 2001, diligently producing ship deck panels measuring up to 20 m wide and with a total surface area of 400 m². To ensure that the system will continue to operate reliably in the future, we have equipped the two plate edge milling machines with completely new drive technology and upgraded the welding technology and entire hydraulic components.
The welding systems have been brought up to the latest state of the art:
- The old CO2 laser technology has been replaced with the latest laser hybrid welding technology.
- The new technology allows even thicker-walled materials to be processed in a single step.
- The new technology ensures higher welding speeds.
The drive retrofit of the milling machines includes in detail:
- new motors, couplings, gearboxes, and control technology for the milling supports
- new motors, couplings, gearboxes, and control technology for the table height adjustments
- new motors, couplings, gearboxes, and control technology for the machine bed adjustments
- new cabling
The panel line is now well equipped for the next 20 years:
The line processes thicker plates and operates at a higher speed.
The components are of the latest design, will be available from the manufacturers as spare parts for a long time to come, and provide the latest safety features.
In combination with the new motors, the entire system is more energy efficient.
By the way:
The panel line in Papenburg from 2001 was, in fact, the first line featuring our TWP® technology, which has meanwhile become established all over the world, made by Gräbener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co. KG. The fully automated TWP (Tailor Welded Plates) technology enables:
- simultaneous milling of the edges of two plates
- zero-gap weld seam preparation across the entire width of the plate resp. panel
- milling and subsequent welding in a single step
- the globally unique processing of plate joints, allowing up to four different plate thicknesses to be milled and joined
Not bad? We agree!
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