For the fifth time HEDELIUS

S&S Schliess- und Sicherungssysteme GmbH | TILTENTA 11- 2600
Field of application: Metalworking, rail vehicle industry
Company headquarters: Mühlhausen, Germany | Employees: 200

For the fifth time HEDELIUS

With around 200 employees in Mühlhausen, Thuringia, Schliess- und Sicherungssysteme GmbH, or S&S for short, is a medium-sized specialist for system solutions in the rail vehicle industry. Founded in 1948, the company has grown from the tradition of a locomotive repair workshop to become a global supplier of doors, steps, partitions, evacuation and fire protection systems for trams, regional and high-speed trains. A true hidden champion that has now opened its doors to HEDELIUS for the fifth time with the TILTENTA 11-2600.

Quality work from Thuringia is in demand worldwide

The rail vehicle industry accounts for 98 per cent of S&S's business: "Our products are installed on every continent, even at the South Pole," explains Jens Meyer. No wonder, because the Thuringian company's broad portfolio is unrivalled even on a global level: "With a few exceptions, we offer practically everything from a single source," he explains. In order to gain a foothold in the North American market, a sister company, S&S Train Parts LLC, was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 2024. This is because railway projects in the USA require a certain amount of value creation to take place in the country. S&S had already been active in North America via partners since 2016. The new company has significantly professionalised market access.

TILTENTA 9: Precision for large-format components

The breadth of the product portfolio is also reflected in the wide range of component sizes, which are manufactured according to strict specifications. The larger parts include window frames measuring up to 1400 x 1100 mm. A TILTENTA 9-3600 from HEDELIUS was purchased in 2020 precisely for such tasks. The 5-axis machining centre was tailored precisely to the requirements at S&S, including a special vertical rotary table with a vertical three-jaw chuck in the C-axis, which was implemented as a customer-specific special request. An example of how HEDELIUS realises individual requirements in a solution-oriented manner. "You get significantly more out of it than on the old machines," says a satisfied Michael Nonn, head of the chipping department at S&S. "Other machines can't run at 10,000 or 11,000 revolutions continuously. This enables us to use the tools in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications." However, he is not only impressed by the output, but also by the solid construction of the TILTENTA 9-3600: "The machine has a very robust design and is therefore unaffected by malfunctions."

ACURA 65: More series capability through automation

In 2024, S&S made a targeted investment in automated series production and added an ACURA 65 to its machine park. The compact 5-axis machining centre was combined with a BMO Platinum 50 workpiece automation system and a 180-position STANDBY tool magazine. A configuration that is designed for a high variety of parts with consistently high quality and process reliability. "Automation allows us to efficiently figure larger series. The machine runs continuously," explains Michael Nonn, pointing to the glass clamp holders that are currently being produced on the ACURA 65. These are used to fix windows in railway vehicles and are typically produced at S&S in quantities of between 600 and 1000 units per series. In addition, small housing parts, door handles and lock plates are regularly machined on the ACURA 65. These are all components that require high repeat precision, tight tolerances and clean surfaces.

Manual production and flexible retooling

With an X travel path of 700 mm and a rotating/swivelling table mounted on both sides, the ACURA 65 enables precise, highly productive machining of even complex geometries. The connection to the BMO Platinum 50 robot cell enables unmanned production of entire series, while the additional STANDBY MAGAZIN with 180 additional tool positions supports flexible retooling and significantly reduces tooling times. This ensures high machine availability even with changing component types and short delivery times.

TILTENTA 11: Transparency in decision-making

The original plan was to expand the automation solution: In addition to the ACURA 65, a second machine, an ACURA 50, was to be connected to the BMO robot cell. However, as another milling machine had to be replaced at short notice, the priorities shifted in favour of a TILTENTA 11-2600 - now the fifth machine from the Emsland manufacturer to be used in Mühlhausen. The decision was made after intensive internal consultation: In addition to Michael Nonn, his deputy, Klaus Meixenberger, was also involved in the selection process. In addition to the technical parameters, the decisive factor was the very precise geometry specifications for future components. HEDELIUS impressed with its transparent approach: "HEDELIUS created videos of test machining for us. This allowed us to make sure that everything would fit," reports Nonn. Like all models in the series, the new TILTENTA 11-2600 is characterised by a generous work area, the integrated swivel spindle concept and powerful 5-axis complete processing in just one set-up. A real gain in efficiency, especially for complex components such as window frames: "At the moment, for example, we still have to pick up the windows several times. On the TILTENTA 11, one clamping operation is enough," explains Nonn.

Positive experiences create trust

The connection to HEDELIUS at S&S goes back a long way. The first two machining centres, two BC 40s, ran reliably in three-shift operation until a few years ago - for well over 20 years. "When considering the service costs incurred over the life cycle, the two machines performed well in comparison to others," reports Michael Nonn. Positive experiences like these have created trust. Today, S&S particularly appreciates the medium-sized structure of the machine manufacturer: short distances, quick help, communication at eye level. "When we talk on the phone, it's a good working relationship. We can speak openly with each other," says Nonn. The technical support is also impressive: "We always get help quickly."

HEDELIUS machining centres &
The customer's automation solutions.