Knowledge based research and development.
For many decades, OTTO FUCHS has worked as a technology partner of equal standing in a number of key industries alongside world-class companies. Forged, extruded or rolled ring components are the optimum solution in all instances where components are exposed to heavy duty loads or where the focus is on innovative lightweight construction.
Our commitment starts at a very early stage in the development of a product. We provide advice with regard to production-oriented component design and in the selection of materials and also optimise our alloys specifically to reflect products and processes as well as the ever-changing needs of customers.
Together with our customers and internal departments, we also develop our own new alloys and introduce new, externally-developed alloys. We place our entire expertise at the customer’s disposition right from the very start of any project, especially during the development phase. It is only through such close cooperation that we achieve an optimum product as efficiently and directly as possible.
- Shape simulation of a turbine plate
- Strength calculation AUDI A6
- Forging simulation (Trunnion)
As such, it is very important to develop any product in terms of its applied geometry using finite element tools (optimum geometry for the application). For decades now, FEM technology has become indispensable in our product development processes as a tool for simulating components and processes. In the course of serial development we provide our customers with a comprehensive portfolio of simulation software for various purposes.
In addition to designing the components using FE-supported strength calculations and automated optimisation of the topography, the development process also relies heavily on the appropriate simulation tools.
For example, multi-stage forging processes are first virtually matched to each other in order to achieve optimum component geometries for the necessary intermediate steps.
As development grinding and tool changes can be avoided when running the forging tools in, this not only saves development time, it also cuts costs. We develop our simulation tools on an ongoing basis. The goal is to calculate the entire process chain, and this not only includes shaping, but also heat treatment, machining and the structure / properties of the material.
Our quality management system ensures strict compliance with the established procedural steps. This ensures that development continues to be fed into a manufacturing process which attaches top priority to product safety, both in large and small-scale serial production.
But the best software only leads to the desired result in synthesis with the knowledge and practical experience of qualified and motivated employees. Decades of experience in metal shaping is essential in determining the necessary basic conditions for simulation calculations and for comparing the results with operational practice.
