Neftenbach, Switzerland - Two Chinese suppliers to that country's automotive industry have purchased laser systems for tailored blanks (sheet-metal parts for car bodies) from Andritz Soutec, which has been a member of international technology Group ANDRITZ since 2012.
BAIC Motor, Peking, and PCMI Metal Product, Chongqing, have both ordered the Soulas laser systems for linear welding seams, and each has an annual capacity of 1.2 million tailored blanks. Start-ups are scheduled for the third quarter of 2013.
The laser welding system for BAIC Motor will be used to manufacture the company's C70G, C50E, and C60F models. BAIC Motor belongs to the Beijing Automotive Group, the fourth largest car manufacturer in China, which built around 3.1 million vehicles in 2012 and in which Daimler AG, Germany, will have a stake according to a recent announcement.
PCMI Metal Product belongs to Panzhihua Iron and Steel, the largest steel producer in western China, and this company is also China's largest vanadium producer. In ordering its first laser welding system, PCMI Metal Product is entering the market for tailored blanks.
Andritz Soutec is one of the leading global suppliers of lasers and rolled seam resistance welding systems for the metalworking industry. The tailored blanks produced using these laser welding systems contribute toward making cars safer and up to 100 kg lighter, thus reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Almost all well-known cars worldwide contain body parts that were manufactured using welding systems from Andritz Soutec. The welding systems that are to be delivered to China produce more than 100 million tailored blanks for the global car industry every year.
For more information, contact Oliver Pokorny.