Opening up new markets with process optimization
GRANDE-TEK Flow Control Co, Ltd. was founded in Hebei, China as a national high-tech company in 1996.
The company specializes in the development and manufacture of flow control systems and valves. Its sales organization is export-oriented. At peak times, 90 percent of sales are generated in Europe, the USA, Japan and other parts of the world. In recent years the Chinese manufacturing industry has grown rapidly, to the extent that the domestic business of GRANDE-TEK Flow Control now accounts for 50 percent of its sales. This development has led to numerous investments in manufacturing technologies. DMG MORI has been a regular partner since 2021 and has already installed various 5-axis milling and mill & turn machines, such as the DMU 125 FD duoBLOCK and versatile turning centers such as the NLX 2000 and the CTX beta 1250 TC turn & mill machine. When it comes to horizontal and vertical machining, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control has opted for DMG MORI. With the most recently acquired VERTICAL MATE 85 for grinding, there are now eight machine tools from the innovation leader on the factory floor.
Process integration mill & turn and turn & mill
“With strong growth in domestic trade and the opening up of high-end markets, the demands on product quality are also increasing”, is how Feng Junliang, Deputy Managing Director of GRANDE-TEK Flow Control, assesses the business development and the impact on production. “Our challenge is therefore to meet the expectations of our customers. We are continuously optimizing our manufacturing processes to achieve higher accuracy and produce the demanding workpieces more efficiently.” Only cost-effective production will ensure we remain competitive in the long term in a fiercely-contested growth market. He is well aware of the importance of modern production technology in this context: “The manufacture of valves stands and falls with efficient and reliable machine tools. Here we rely in particular on DMG MORI mill & turn and turn & mill machines.”
In 2021, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control found a competent and experienced partner in DMG MORI, whose CNC technology provides consistent precision and maximum reliability. Holistically sophisticated manufacturing processes are an essential part of the supplier’s portfolio.
For Feng Junliang these are decisive criteria, because after 20 years of experience in flow control technology, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control is well aware of these factors: “That is why we attach great importance to consistent technological innovation and investment in profitable production technologies.” Particularly during the unstable economic situation in recent years, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control took the opportunity to expand its know-how in manufacturing technology – with the help of DMG MORI.
Machine tools for every application: 5-axis simultaneous milling, 6-sided turn-milling and grinding
Feng Junliang sees a decisive characteristic of DMG MORI in its focus on advanced manufacturing concepts: “Like no other, the machine tool manufacturer combines inno-vative and efficient machining technologies with a sustainable direction of travel.” Added to this is the trouble-free and friendly cooperation. This is reflected in the machine tools that have been installed since 2021: it started with the 5-axis simultaneous machining centers DMU 95 monoBLOCK and DMU 75monoBLOCK plus the NHC 6300 horizontal machining center and the NLX 2000 turning center. Another 5-axis mill-turn center and a vertical machining center followed in 2022 with the DMU 125 FD duoBLOCK and the NVX 5100. A CTX beta 1250 TC was also installed for 6-sided com-plete machining. In 2023, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control expanded the wide range of machines to include a VERTICAL MATE 85 for grinding. Feng Junliang is impressed by the easy hand-ling of the machines and adds: “At present, the finishing of all our parts is carried out on DMG MORI machine tools.”
Process integration: 20 percent higher machining efficiency and 50 percent increased good-parts
Thanks to its versatile production machinery, GRANDE-TEK Flow Control today integrates all key machining technologies in the smallest of spaces – sometimes even in one working area, as the example of the CTX beta 1250 TC shows. This enables the high-precision and efficient production of a wide range of components. “Using the example of the GPF valve, the processing time was reduced by 20 percent, the part accuracy was improved from 0.03 mm to between 0.01 and 0.02 mm and the number of good parts was increased by 50 percent,” says Feng Junliang, summarizing the optimization process. “I believe that this is closely linked to the performance of machine tools and process integration.” Process integration means combining machine tools, technologies, users, automation and digitization. This involves improving the integration of machining technologies, significantly reducing their complexity and making the right decisions. The time for production planning must be effectively shortened. At the same time, flexibility, capacity utilization and effectiveness must be increased. Feng Junliang sees these goals as achieved: “Thanks to the process integration with machine tools from DMG MORI, the production of GPF valves can be completed in a single clamping instead of the several operations previously required. Production is faster, the accuracy of the parts is higher and the yield is significantly improved by the reduction in the number of set-ups.
GRANDE-TEK Flow Control and DMG MORI have a common philosophy: The aim is to enable customers to work more efficiently and conserve resources with innovative and holistic concepts. “It is a win-win situation. We are confident that we will continue our cooperation,” says Feng Juliang. “We are also interested in future-oriented manufacturing solutions such as automated production lines and digital management systems, as well as the ULTRASONIC and LASERTEC machines.”
GRANDE-TEK FLOW CONTROL CO., LTD.
Industrial Zone of Yunhe District,
Fuyang Road, Cangzhou,
Hebei, China
www.grandetekvalve.com