SKF inaugurates a brand-new, fully automated production line dedicated to the manufacture of components for Safran's Leap engine.
This strategic investment reflects the SKF Group's desire to modernize its production facilities in France. It also contributes to reinforcing SKF's expertise in the performance of rotating equipment, and to improving the level of customer service around the bearing.
SKF has decided to invest in a new digitized manufacturing line to optimize its production capacity and support its major customers in accelerating production volumes by the end of 2020."This growth is having an impact on the aerospace market. Naturally, SKF has to adapt its production capacity to this situation. "explains Philippe Peroz, Aerospace Business Unit Manager.
Investments mainly concern the acquisition of turning, milling and grinding machines, and the installation of an automated line featuring a robot for automatic line control. In fact, this is the first 4.0 line at the SKF Aeroengine France plant in Valenciennes, integrating all 4 key stages of the production cycle for engine components (turning, milling and grinding, control and traceability).
From training to business expertise
As part of the implementation of the new production line, several internal and external training initiatives were carried out to acquire new skills.
Over and above the technical expertise required, the aim was also to integrate into the training program employees who were driven by a spirit of challenge and motivated to participate in the development of a new process for the site.
The introduction of a joint qualification certificate for the metallurgy industry was designed to validate and enhance operators' professional skills. " This new line calls for a completely new profession for the site, that of line operator. This required a certain number of skills to be implemented, clearly identified within the framework of a joint metallurgy qualification certificate. This CQPM, designed to validate the professional skills of the employees concerned, took place over a period of 6 months and was validated by the IUMM des Hauts-de-France. "adds Gilles Ofcard, Manager, Aerospace Operations Europe.
This investment rationale aims to increase SKF's competitiveness and quality objective in France and is set to continue in the second half of 2019 with further innovative projects. The Valenciennes site, a center of excellence for the SKF Group in aerospace bearings, produces 160,000 bearings a year, engine and gearbox bearings for market leaders. The site employs 550 people and exports 60 % of its production.
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Learn more: www.skf.fr