When working with (construction) machinery on a daily basis, it is not uncommon for problems to arise. These can range from a simple filter that needs to be changed to an engine damage. But sometimes it’s the small details that cause difficulties – over and over again.
This was the case with our customer, a construction company in the field of civil engineering and road construction, with whom we have been working in a trusting relationship for several years; we provide them with technical support and we take care of their entire spare parts supply. After some time, we noticed that we were to supply them with a certain hinge (reference part number 2A1-54-14340) at regular intervals. It is the door hinge of the Komatsu PC 22 MR-3 and PC 26 MR-3 mini-excavators, which, after a few months of use, kept breaking at exactly the same spot.
When it became clear to us after several repeat orders that we were regularly delivering the exact same component here, we became alert, approached our customer and asked them to describe their problem to us in detail. They then told us that this hinge simply wears out relatively quickly and that it is a well-known problem that it always breaks at the same point.
We then offered our customer to take a closer look at the whole issue to see whether we could find a more efficient solution to this problem than procuring a costly new part over and over again.
When it became clear to us after several repeat orders that we were regularly delivering the exact same component here, we became alert, approached our customer and asked them to describe their problem to us in detail. They then told us that this hinge simply wears out relatively quickly and that it is a well-known problem that it always breaks at the same point.
We then offered our customer to take a closer look at the whole issue to see whether we could find a more efficient solution to this problem than procuring a costly new part over and over again.
Together with our mechanical engineering partner and in close coordination with our customer, we went into development; we considered at which point we could start, which material changes would be conceivable and also practical, and to what extent the structure and shape of the hinge could be adapted.
After a short but intensive development phase, we finally arrived at a result that is worthy of note: a more stable and significantly cheaper alternative product to the original Komatsu part. By using a high-quality steel grade (S355J2G3, formerly St52-3N) and adapting the hinge shape, we were able to develop a more durable product that also saves costs.
Together with our mechanical engineering partner and in close coordination with our customer, we went into development; we considered at which point we could start, which material changes would be conceivable and also practical, and to what extent the structure and shape of the hinge could be adapted.
After a short but intensive development phase, we finally arrived at a result that is worthy of note: a more stable and significantly cheaper alternative product to the original Komatsu part. By using a high-quality steel grade (S355J2G3, formerly St52-3N) and adapting the hinge shape, we were able to develop a more durable product that also saves costs.
But also in case of similar, individual difficulties, we’d be happy to be your contact partner and to develop a suitable solution with and for you, in order to make your daily work easier and more efficient. Your problem is our challenge!
But also in case of similar, individual difficulties, we’d be happy to be your contact partner and to develop a suitable solution with and for you, in order to make your daily work easier and more efficient. Your problem is our challenge!
