BMW Group opens automated steel pressing facility

BMW Group has opened a new automated steel pressing facility at its Swindon, U.K., plant. The new 2,500-metric-ton press, which will produce steel panels for the MINI plant in Oxford, comprises six stations that can make up to 18 parts per minute—more than twice the capacity of the previous press line. The time required for tooling changeover has been reduced from 30 min. to a little over 3 min.

Steel blanks and finished panels are handled by a new fleet of automatic guided vehicles, including a giant AGV that can transport up to 6 metric tons of material. In total, 23 new AGVs have been commissioned in the new facilities, with more planned over the next few years.