KM Tools Ltd has selected WDS Component Parts Ltd to supply components for the jigs and fixtures in KM Tools’ car body manufacturing facility, which is used for its prestigious Bombardier Transportation project.
Bombardier’s site in Derby is the UK’s only train manufacturing facility, designing and building AVENTRA electric multiple unit trains for UK operators. Its carbody facility manufactures key components; the underframe, roof and body sides. Within the welding facility, jigs and fixtures are used to hold the sections of train sub-assemblies in place during the welding process. KM Tools selected WDS to provide a variety of component parts used within the assembly jigs and fixtures based on high product reliability and service efficiency.
“Bombardier is very important for KM Tools because of the scale of the project,” says Adrian Degg, engineering director at KM Tools Ltd. “Manufacturing equipment for specialist production lines such as Derby means that we need high confidence in the components we use in our assembly jigs. Supplying OEM customers like Bombardier, where time to market is key, also means that we need efficient suppliers. We’ve worked with WDS for eight years and it was our natural choice to provide component parts for this high profile project.”
WDS provided a variety of components for the jigs and fixtures including locating pins, latches, swing clamps, toggle clamps, indexing plungers, hinges, knobs and handles. It’s crucial that product quality is high, especially where many of the components are used in demanding conditions on a daily basis, such as indexing plungers. Where extra durability is required, some of the components selected are constructed from hardened materials.
Depending on where the component will be used, resistance to corrosion is also important, for example if the area is frequently lubricated and where soap is used to clean lubrication away. For this reason, KM Tools selected stainless or mild steel as the material of choice, chemically blackened where required to increase resistance to corrosion.
“We’ve always found that WDS component perform impeccably in terms of reliability,” says Adrian. “This is especially important to us and a reason for working with them. Any component failure would risk the uptime of our customers, so it’s key for the reputation of KM Tools’ as a manufacturer of high-quality equipment.”
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
