Fiat tools up for transmission
Fiat Powertrain Technologies has taken delivery of fifty four CNC lathes equipped with Coromant Capto toolholding systems. The deal came about through a 12-month cooperation between Sandvik Coromant’s offices in Germany and Italy and JG Weisser, a machine tool maker based in Germany.
Robert Kleinhans, machine investment engineer with Sandvik Coromant in Germany, began working with Norbert Schuder of JG Weisser in April 2007 on this project. Schuder was in discussion with Fiat Powertrain Technologies, and wanted to offer a complete package of fully equipped machines. Weisser approached several tooling suppliers, among which was Sandvik Coromant; Kleinhans and colleagues supplied advice on the appropriate tools and toolholding systems and all the necessary technical details for their quotation.
Sandvik Coromant’s Valerio Vertua, Strategic Customers Senior Manager, and Sergio Pesce, Automotive Segment, supported Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ engineering management’s proposal of Sandvik Coromant solutions, including Coromant Capto modular toolholding systems. Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) was planning to refit the Verrone (Biella) factory, for the production of a new type of transmission. FPT is the Fiat Group Company covering all Powertrain resources: Fiat Group Automobiles, Iveco, Fiat Research Centre and Elasis. FPT is a significant player globally, with annual production of approx 3.1 million engines and 2.5 millions transmissions and axles. It has 20,000 employees, 15 plants and 10 research and development centres in 7 countries.
The project started in 2006; and JG Weisser received FPT’s order for the lathes in October 2007 - 32 to be installed in 2008, 22 in 2010. Weisser and FPT awarded the tooling order to Sandvik Coromant. The order includes standard and special turning and milling tools, using Coromant Capto as the modular toolholding system for most machines and HSK63 for the centre-facing machines. A Sandvik Coromant team is continuing work with FPT to assist with machining cycles, and standardise methods; later the team will help fine-tune the production processes. Overall, the project is likely to last another six months.
