Greater productivity and improvements in occupational safety for constructing tank cars: VTG-owned Waggonbau Graaff is setting new standards with its new welding unit and a work platform that is safer than ever before. The system enables all kinds of welding work to be performed automatically. “The new welding unit is an investment in the long-term competitiveness of the company”, says Jörg Nuttelmann, Managing Director of Waggonbau Graaff. “It allows us to carry out welding work at a significantly higher rate and produce even better quality than before. The new system, particularly the improved work platform, provides our employees with an even safer working environment.” Developing and constructing the complete unit has involved investments of more than EUR 850,000.
Automated welding to achieve optimal results
The new equipment is a special construction that was specifically developed to meet Waggonbau Graaff’s particular requirements. The welding unit can perform automated welding work on tanks in a longitudinal or circumferential direction and, in future, manual welding will only be carried out in exceptional cases (such as for particularly delicate weld seams or on areas that are extremely difficult to access on special constructions). The new unit also significantly accelerates the rate at which welding work can be performed and enables considerable improvement in terms of economic efficiency.
Focus on occupational safety
In addition to automated welding, particular focus was on the topic of occupational safety. The new work platform therefore provides much more space and dedicated storage areas for working equipment and tools. Any potential tripping hazards can therefore be eliminated, thus significantly increasing efficiency. Particular attention was also given to fall protection ─ a guard rail prevents employees from falling when working at a height of five meters.