The leading European home appliance producer BSH has again opted for a machine from Kiefel, Freilassing for their plant in Giengen, Germany. The machine in question is the KID 100/230 BFS-R thermoforming system with forming and punching tools, on which the company produces refrigerator door liners.

The new thermoforming machine concept represents a significant milestone for the factory in Giengen. It enables the home appliance specialist to increase energy efficiency whilst higher output of deep-drawn parts has helped further lower the cost per unit.

Kiefel launched the innovative door liners manufacturing concept onto the market in 2018. Its energy-efficient heating, reliable trimming, reduced set-up times and sophisticated waste management are impressive. In thermoforming, 80% of the electrical energy is consumed by the heating process. With the KID 100/230 BFS-R, the Freilassing experts have succeeded in reducing the heating energy by up to 40 percent thanks to a novel heating configuration. The thermoforming specialist made full use of its packaging division's extensive know-how when developing the forming/trimming as part of complex process. A multitude of delivered machines with forming/trimming tools provide solid experience and comprehensive knowledge.

The Kiefel engineers have also improved the forming process itself. Features such as the fully servo-controlled knee lever system and the tool height difference compensating function ensure first class trimming of components and a trimming knife long service life. Approximately 600 formed and trimmed doors are produced on a 2 cavity tool every hour. Frequent tool change is standard. The new fully automated tool change program handles this within five minutes - entirely unmanned.