Close to customers,
markets and innovations
With our global development centers and manufacturing locations, we are close to customers, markets and innovations. Our strengths include state-of-the-art technologies for product development and manufacturing. Every day, our approximately 1,900 qualified and experienced employees demonstrate their skills in manufacturing and ensure that customers in Europe, North America and Asia are supplied punctually and reliably. Their expertise and commitment form the basis for the outstanding quality for which ACPS Automotive is known. With decades of experience and the ability to meet demanding product requirements, we delight our customers. Our employees master a wide range of specialized processes, from CNC bending, forming, machining, painting and welding to assembly and electrical and kinematic testing. We convince with our know-how with contradictory product requirements: High-precision mechatronic systems meet solid force-absorbing crossbeams and sideparts from steel construction.
Our manufacturing
know-how
Tooling
The toolmaking department at our manufacturing plants is of central importance to the company. All the tools previously developed in the design department which are required for the manufacturing of the towbars are built, tested and optimized there. The employees in this department are highly qualified experts who work with the most modern machines. They ensure that the tools and fixtures operate precisely and reliably to provide high-quality repeatable manufacturing. In addition, they are also responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the tools. The toolmaking department makes a decisive contribution to the efficiency and quality of the entire manufacturing process.
Preproduction I: Laser machining
Laser cutting plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of towbars. In this process, most of the required parts are manufactured directly on site from steel plates. By using the latest laser technology, parts can be produced in a wide variety of shapes and material thicknesses. Laser cutting guarantees maximum precision and repeatability in this process, ensuring smooth production.
Preproduction II: Forming, cutting, pressing
The production of towbars passes in the next stage to the preparation area, where parts are bent, pressed and cut. Most of the parts that were previously lasered out of the metal sheets in the laser department are processed here. In addition, purchased parts are also further processed into the geometry required for us.
Preproduction III: CNC machining
In the CNC machining of our manufacturing plants for towbars, we machine forged parts such as ball necks and forged centers, but also flange plates. Modern CNC machines are used to machine the raw, forged or laser cut components to achieve the final shape. By turning, milling and drilling, we shape the parts in our manufacturing plants and prepare them for the downstream operations. Machined parts are then further processed internally for painting or heat treatment and other surface treatments or sent to external service providers to ensure optimum corrosion protection. Machined flange plates, on the other hand, go directly to the welding shop where they are welded.
Welding
Our hitch is a safety product, so it is of highest importance that its development and manufacturing meet regulatory, customer-specific as well as high ACPS Automotive requirements. In this regard, we place special emphasis on welding, which is a critical process, and rely on our decades of experience and expertise. MAG welding has established itself as a standard process for the hitch, we use welding robots for this purpose, which guarantee the highest reproducibility and quality, including documentation and evaluation of the manufacturing data.
As a welder in a manufacturing facility, it is of great importance to have a high sense of quality and a strong sense of responsibility. A reliable way of working is equally essential, as each welding process makes a decisive contribution to the high quality and safety of the final product. A welder therefore bears a great responsibility for the quality and success of the entire manufacturing process.
Paint
Coating the component is the next important step after welding. To ensure a long service life and high functionality, we rely on the cathodic dip painting process, which is used for almost all of our products. This method provides effective corrosion protection for our products. Due to the dip coating, the parts receive an homogeneous surface protection.
Ball neck assembly / Pre-assembly
Ball neck assembly plays a decisive role in the manufacturing of towbars and can be carried out with the help of manual to semi-automatic to fully automatic processes in robot cells. This allows us to flexibly adapt to customer requirements and economically serve both large and small series while maintaining quality.
Final assembly
In our manufacturing plants for towbars, final assembly is of central importance. Here, the swivel system (E5, E3, H5D and M5) - final product of the pre-assembly - is mounted to the welded crossbeam - final product of the welding shop - and completed via further assembly steps to the finished final product. At the end of the process, all finished couplings are checked on test rigs to ensure that they work perfectly and meet the high requirements of our customers.
Optimized logistics
for smooth manufacturing flow
The area of warehousing and logistics is an essential part of our manufacturing operations. Ensuring a continuous supply of materials is of highest importance to guarantee manufacturing efficiency and meet immediate customer needs. To achieve this, the company has sufficient storage areas for raw materials, intermediate and finished products. Efficient management of these inventories is ensured by experienced logistics specialists using modern equipment and ERP systems for operational resource planning. This combination of first-class logistics equipment and expertise makes it possible to ensure reliable and efficient material procurement and manufacturing control.
State-of-the-art research and development
at the manufacturing plants
The Research and Development department in Kecskemét, Hungary, and Querétaro, Mexico, is an important area of these two locations. It focuses on the development of towbars, from conception to integration into manufacturing. This includes designing towbars for original and aftermarket applications, maufacturing prototypes, installing them in vehicles, testing and incorporating them into manufacturing. Experienced engineers with modern CAx software develop innovative and high-quality towbars, which are carefully tested to ensure optimal functionality.
