Göppingen/Suello, March 24, 2022 – In 1932, Domenico Farina started his company “Costruzioni Meccaniche Farina,” a workshop for the production of blanking dies. However, for testing them, a press became necessary. Thus, the first machine came into being. Since the 1970s, Farina Presse has been only designing and producing hot forging lines. The company became part of the Schuler Group in 2018.

“We can cover the complete production process within the company, from the design phase through installation and service,” Managing Director Marco Gritti is proud to say. “The product range is supplemented with machinery necessary for completion – and automation – of the hot forging process.” In addition, the company with just over 40 employees does retrofits for existing presses.

First automation experiments in the 1940s

The history of Farina is also a history of innovations. In the 1940s already, the company experimented with the automation of cutting metal strips. In 1956, Domenico Farina presented a safety system with a multiple ray barrier at the Milan expo. The first hot steel forging press, the T 630, was created in 1968 and put into production by a local company. Given the excellent investment returns, other forgers began to demand the new machines.

In the 1980, the product portfolio was expanded by several more machines with press forces ranging from 400 to 2,500 tons. The first Programmable Logic Controller was introduced in 1984. In 1999, the GAS 2000 transfer press was designed and manufactured, followed by the GAS 1000 and 3500 in the next year. The GLF press series, characterized by extreme fast and precise forging as well as a larger work area at maximum power, was launched in 2006.

World’s largest system for thyssenkrupp

In 2018, Schuler acquired Farina Presse, thereby strengthening its market position in mid-range performance segment. Farina Presse gained access to Schuler’s global distribution network for its products and continues to operate under its own brand name. Together, both companies succeed in setting up the world’s largest forging line in 2021: a 16,000 ton press for thyssenkrupp Gerlach.

One of the latest innovations by Farina is the kinetic energy recovering system KERS which offers not only up to 40 percent less power demand, but also increases output and reduces maintenance costs. In a traditional press, most of the energy is used to stop the ram in the upper dead center (UDC) and to accelerate it again. In a KERS press, this energy is recovered by a torque motor directly connected to the eccentric shaft. Additionally, the wear on friction materials in the brake and clutch is eliminated, as well as vibration and noise which results in a healthier environment for operators.

Captions

Bild1.jpg: Since the 1970s, Farina Presse has been only designing and producing hot forging lines. © Schuler

Bild2.jpg: In 2021, the world’s largest forging line was set up: a 16,000 ton press for thyssenkrupp Gerlach. © Schuler