Rieter adds second ABB I-R waterjet cutting workstation

Citation

(1998), "Rieter adds second ABB I-R waterjet cutting workstation", Industrial Robot, Vol. 25 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1998.04925baf.003

Rieter adds second ABB I-R waterjet cutting workstation

Rieter adds second ABB I-R waterjet cutting workstation

Rieter Automotive Systems has purchased a second cutting box waterjet cutting workstation from ABB I-R Robotized Waterjet AB for the company's plant at Halesowen in West Midlands in the UK. Rieter Automotive Systems is one of the world's leading developers and producers of noise and heat management systems as well as interior trim and insulation for cars and commercial vehicles.

The Halesowen operation has expanded rapidly, increasing business from existing customers and winning contracts from new clients. The customer base now includes Jaguar, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Rover, GM/Saab and Ford. The phenomenal growth in turnover has required a rapid restructuring at the Halesowen facility under plant manager Ann O'Beirne, who arrived at the beginning of 1996.

At Halesowen, Rieter Automotive Systems manufactures noise control components and other products as part of tailored solutions for increased driver comfort and vehicle performance. The plant produces parts made from polyurethane foam and moulded fibres to form a variety of products. The PU foam is used for body insulation of parts in the vehicle cabin such as dash insulators, tunnels and floor insulation. The moulded fibre parts include bonnet liners, wheel arch liners and dashes. In another area of the Halesowen operation, roll carpet is moulded to form integrated carpets as part of the company's acoustic solutions for vehicles.

The majority of the systems and modular products supplied by Rieter are acoustic components giving noise and heat level comfort in private and commercial vehicles. The company is part of the Rieter Group based in Switzerland, with worldwide activities manufacturing acoustic and heat control components.

Using the synergy available in the group, Rieter Automotive can act as a single-source supplier of a range of products from single components to complete systems bringing together interior trim, carpet-related interiors and boot linings as well as noise and heat protection solutions for the engine and under-body systems.

As a systems supplier, Rieter is involved in the development of specific parts, modules and systems for a planned vehicle, in a process which continues on through its lifetime to the recycling of the vehicle. Rieter designs and manufactures damping and absorption products for the front, side, top and rear of the driver and passenger compartments in vehicles. In the engine compartment, products from the company include bonnet liners for the top of the engine compartment; heat and sound absorbing shields for the engine; undershields and side panels for encapsulating the engine; and for the rear of the engine compartment, acoustic and heatproof covers for the dashboard. For the exterior of the vehicle, Rieter can produce outer floor undershields, heatshields above the transmission and protection for the spare and outer wheelhouses.

For further information contact ABB I-R Robotized Waterjet AB, Box 529, S-372 25 Ronneby, Sweden. Tel: +46 457 345 00; Fax: +46 457 345 99.