In the coming years, there are significant developments that manufacturers can expect to enhance gear manufacturing processes. These include built in troubleshooting tools with capabilities like an AI, increasing use of robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to handle materials. This clear trend to automation will minimise errors and reduce costs, while providing safer environment for operators. Specific to automotive industry, this translates to reduced overall size of driveline systems and lightweight construction. With lack of personnel, automation offers great solution requiring minimal human labour and can even increase production.
One specific area where faster and more efficient production can take place is with the setup time. One great way to achieve a quicker setup time in gear manufacturing is to separate it from other machining operations. This enables operators to cut chips on other machines apart from the one which is being changed over. It means more parts are produced in a much less time with reduced machine tooling changeovers. Of course, automation systems can vary significantly. One system can combine the more efficient works of robotics with conveyors or basket stackers, or other setup. Bottom line is that each system depends on the specific requirements of every customer.
In addition, electromobility is one of the industrial megatrends that requires new demands from customers. Electric vehicles, in particular, are becoming popular. While gear manufacturing still has to be of high-quality, the need will not be as many as before. This will be a big change within the gear industry and how those EVs will become two or three decades from now will determine how the solutions will change.
Whatever the future holds, True Gear is founded on our ability to accommodate any request from single gears and spline shafts to long production runs. All of them are manufactured in-house to ensure total control over the quality of each one.