Improved cost efficiency and flexibility with novel rondelle manufacturing method

Citation

(1999), "Improved cost efficiency and flexibility with novel rondelle manufacturing method", Assembly Automation, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.1999.03319caf.003

Improved cost efficiency and flexibility with novel rondelle manufacturing method

Improved cost efficiency and flexibility with novel rondelle manufacturing method

Keywords: Manufacturing, Cost-effectiveness

Rondelles for kitchen pots and pans, as well as other "flat rotating parts", can now be produced in a more flexible and cost-efficient way. The widely patented technology is introduced by Finnish Rondex Ltd, a wholly owned company in the stock exchange listed Hackman Group.

Traditionally, pots and pan bottoms are produced by punching rondelles out of cold rolled aluminium sheets or plates. With the new method, round cast billets are "sliced" instead, thanks to the cutting process developed by the company. The method is reported to be suitable for "soft" raw materials such as aluminium, copper, tin or silver (see Figure 3 ).

Figure 3 Improved cost-efficiency and flexibility with novel rondelle manufacturing method.

Mr Risto Harkki, Managing Director of Rondex Oy Ltd in Helsinki, said

Based on the experience we have gained so far, our new manufacturing technology makes it possible to produce rondelles and semi-finished pan items for the cookware industry at cost saving compared to traditional methods. It also means less scrap and increased flexibility in the production.

After the cutting operation, the slices are cold rolled, edge finished and quality controlled in a fully automated production line.

Many applications

According to preliminary test results, the company says this manufacturing process is suitable for flat rotating parts with moderate form complexity, a weight range of 0.1-2 kg/piece and production volumes of 50,000-1,000,000 per year.

Potential application areas, besides cookware products, include a variety of machine parts, car components, hydraulic and pneumatic parts, components for small pressure vessels and electrical household machines, as well as traffic signs.

The company, which is wholly owned by the Hackman Group, Scandinavia's largest producer of cutlery and cookware, reports that it is already successfully running the first production line using the technique in one of Hackman's plants in Finland. Risto Harkki says:

In order to further develop and commercialise this technology to suit the cookware industry, as well as new application areas, we are now looking for strong international business partners.

For further information, please contact: Rondex Oy Ltd, Mr Risto Harkki, Managing Director, HÌmeentie 135, P.O. Box 955, FIN-00561 Helsinki, Finland, Tel: +358 204 3911; mobile: +358 400 628 220; Telefax: +358 204 39 5482.