Møre Trafo Among the First in Europe – Advanced Automation

Robotizing the Heavy Lifting

“By using a packing robot, the cores are fully packed at the same time as the core steel is punched. This saves both time and effort compared to how we currently produce transformer cores,” explains Factory Manager Steinulf Grøvik.

Packing cores is a heavy and time-consuming process that today is done entirely by hand. On average it takes four and a half hours to pack one core, and on average it takes two and a half hours to cut one core.

No operator needed

The cutting line with robotic stacking also has automatic sheet feeding. This lets you run the machine without an operator. As long as there is core steel on the feeder, monitoring is all you need for the machine to run and do the job.

Ahead of the Curve

– Møre Trafo has been ahead of the curve on automation for many years. By investing in a new cutting line with robot stacker and feeder, we will stay ahead in development in the future as well. This facility is only the third of its kind in all of Europe. The first two were delivered in Italy, says Steinulf Grøvik.

Investing in the Future

A new cutting line with robot stackers and feeder will cost around 12 million kroner and is scheduled for delivery to Møre Trafo in the summer of 2020. Even though the cost is high, we believe this is a very good investment for Møre Trafo and the future, says the factory manager.

No One Loses Their Job

The new cutting line has capacity for roughly half of today’s needs. In parallel, Møre Trafo will keep running a traditional cutting line and pack cores manually. No one will be laid off as a result of this automation, and there will be enough work here for everyone. The automation will probably reduce staffing on core packing by three full-time equivalents, who are planned to be transferred to other departments, explains Steinulf Grøvik.

Delivers Results

The major investments and strategic focus Møre Trafo has put into automation and robotization of production deliver excellent results for the company in Sykkylven, which is the market leader in Norway for transformers and complete substations.

Exciting Projects

In addition to investing in a cutting line with robotic packing, Møre Trafo has many other exciting projects underway. We have ordered a new oil treatment plant to be delivered at the beginning of 2020. We are in the process of designing a new building that will eventually house a new painting facility. In the plans for 2020, we have also started a project for two new welding robots and a new press brake, says the factory manager at Møre Trafo, Steinulf Grøvik.