Instead of linking conventional grinding machines, more and more automotive manufacturers and suppliers rely on the compact and cost-effective technology of the JUNKER JUCENTER 6L. Many companies have already invested in the JUCENTER machine concept for their crankshaft, camshaft, or gearshaft manufacturing. One of them is, GETRAG FORD Transmissions, one of the largest transmission manufacturers in the world. With three JUCENTER 6L’s installed, the factory is well-equipped for the future. A maximum capacity of well above two-million gearshafts can be reached during three-shift operations. With the JUCENTER 6L, JUNKER has developed a machine concept that supports the economical turnaround and enables significant potential savings.
The trend to build transmissions offering smaller gear ratio increments to achieve better fuel efficiency requires new manufacturing machine concepts to achieve higher part accuracies while increasing the equipments throughput. 
Product quality, cycle times, unit costs, output, and process reliability must always be at a constant high level thereby. JUNKER has set a technological milestone precisely for these requirements. What was earlier ground on three machines can now be achieved on one. The long-term precision of the JUCENTER 6L is ensured by hydrostatic guide ways and drive systems. The same systems provide high dynamic stability and dampening.
The JUCENTER 6L is the first grinding machine that enables complete grinding of gearshafts in less than 45 seconds. With a machine availability of 97 percent—traditional manufacturing lines using three machines can only reach 91.7 percent—an annual production of 800,000 gearshafts can be produced. Reducing the number of machines also reduces labor costs, which is an additional benefit.
The JUNKER Operator Panel (EJOP) guarantees a standardized operating structure of all JUNKER machines. Familiarization phases or retraining are reduced to a minimum. 
Whether direct grinding functions, size control, or balancing interfaced to the individual units, all functions in EJOP are bundled centrally and if required can also be accessed using the JUNKER Teleservice. An economic remote diagnosis by experienced JUNKER specialists saves time and increases the availability of the equipment. For onsite service, the JUNKER Service Centres represented worldwide provide optimum assistance and fast support, also on weekends and on public holidays 365 days per year, 24 hours per day.
In addition to the technological and economic advantages, the services were no lesser factor that GETRAG FORD Transmissions entrusted the gearshaft production to the JUNKER concept. Because JUNKER considers itself as a partner for premium service after machine delivery and recognized early that innovative products and an innovative service standard fit together perfectly. The plant in Halewood is one of four production sites of GETRAG FORD Transmissions in Europe where 700 employees produce manual transmissions. GETRAG FORD Transmissions was founded in 2001 as a 50:50 joint venture of the transmission specialist GETRAG and the automotive producer Ford, with headquarters in Cologne. The company develops and produces manual and automated manual transmissions as well as dual clutch transmissions.
What Erwin Junker initiated in 1962 with three employees in a former flour mill is today a strong group of companies with the best references on the world market. The JUNKER Group is the technology leader in the manufacture of CBN high-speed grinding machines. Some 1000 employees realize corporate development, sales, and manufacturing at 12 sites worldwide. Learn more at www.junker-group.com.
