Ford Motor Company's ambitious program to launch two brand new models for 1995 demanded the precise and timely installation of not one but two of the largest presses of their kind in the world.
Project managers from Atlas Industrial Contractors traveled to Brazil to
become acquainted with the Schuler presses while they were still being
manufactured. Back home, the Atlas team began planning the installations with
the precision and care of a major military engagement.
Ford's Buffalo stamping facility afforded very limited in-plant space for storage and erection of the machine assemblies. Atlas had to design and build unique ways of handling components for the 5-slide press, including a special 360° swivel device for its 800 ton hydraulic gantry. None of the components had been mated to each other prior to installation. Yet owing to superb planning and an aggressive, 2-shift schedule, the monumental task of assembling the press was completed several days ahead of schedule.
Moving the team next to Ford's Chicago Heights facility, Atlas was again faced with working in highly restricted space. And to make the task even more demanding, this new press required the installation of an additional, or sixth slide. Atlas professionals had to unload 4,135 tons of total machine assemblies in just 6 days. To transport the assemblies once they were within the building, Atlas employed two 80-ton capacity die carts which it designed and fabricated specifically for these projects. Building on the skills acquired in Buffalo, the entire press was stacked almost 3 full weeks ahead of schedule.
Precision installation within fixed increments of time...just two of the reasons you can trust the Atlas touch.