By constructing the new press shop, ŠKODA is implementing a key measure to make their production more modern, environmentally friendly and efficient. Just two years ago, ŠKODA launched the PXL 1 servo press line at the Mladá Boleslav plant.
The servo press line PXL 2 will be able to compress large aluminium parts extremely energy-efficiently while also being easy to operate. By recovering the energy released during pressing, the new press line consumes up to 15 percent less energy compared to conventional systems in continuous operation.
“The new press shop will be making our production a great deal more environmentally friendly, efficient and forward looking,” explains Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Board Member responsible for Production and Logistics. “Just like the PXL 1, the new facility will make a significant contribution to sustainable production at Mladá Boleslav. We would also like to thank the KOVO trade union for their support in the construction of the new press shop.”
The total investments into the new press shop amount to €86.4 million. Now that the old M4 building has successfully been demolished, the construction of the new M4 hall is expected to be complete by mid-2016. €19.5 million euros will be invested solely in the infrastructure and reconstruction of the 11,600-m2 hall. The construction of the new line PXL 2 will then begin in the spring of 2016. Commissioning is scheduled for February 2017. ŠKODA is investing almost €55 million into modern press technology.
The new facility is going to be one of the most modern of its kind in Central Europe. 14 decentralized servomotors will ensure the whole line runs smoothly. The individual processes on the PXL-line can be adjusted much more flexibly than previously, by means of a large motor-driven press system. The changeover times are also impressive: tools can be changed in just three minutes. By comparison, even the end of the 1990s, it took around 15 minutes for a tool change, i.e. five times as long.
