MöllerWerke are proven specialists for flexible functional components. The products they develop and produce generally have process control, protective or guiding functions. They deploy diverse materials such as plastic, rubber, metal and technical textiles to guarantee that these have flexible properties. In doing so, the company builds on their vast experience and high level of expertise with the use of these materials.
At MöllerWerke site in Bielefeld they permanently develop the materials used for the various applications, thereby guaranteeing a high product quality at all times. Anyone requiring flexible functional components is certainly at the right place when they come to MöllerWerke. Their well-known customers are market leaders in the areas of vehicle engineering and mechanical engineering.
MöllerWerke customers benefit from direct advice on site, their longstanding experience and the expertise of the sales engineers. MöllerWerke offers products with an optimised design, high efficiency, consistent product quality and unlimited service. The company’s in-house materials development using an approved combination of materials enables them to meet virtually any technical requirement.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
MöllerWerke: We develop, produce and market our products for two key areas: first, protection and covering elements for the mechanical engineering and machine building industry. Second, air and fluid guiding / management systems such as bellows, hoses and elbows for commercial vehicles, especially agricultural and construction machinery as well as the railway sector.
E.E: What’s the news for 2020 about new products?
MöllerWerke: In the first sector (protection and covering elements), we have two product highlights. We have developed a product platform to offer large roof-cover systems for large portal milling machines. This platform allows for very smooth and even movements when opening the portal machines which is critical for a secure and long-lasting performance. The second highlight is a self-supporting L-cover system for milling machines. This allows for more space and flexibility when loading or maintaining the machines. Also, guiding elements that are usually required to hold the cover in place can be eliminated, allowing for additional cost-improvements.
In the second sector, we have three product highlights. For the railway sector, we introduced the new product range of air distributors. Therefore, we are now able to offer a hybrid system, consisting of flexible and rigid segments within the air distribution in locomotives, coaches and subways. For the commercial vehicle sector, we are launching a hose with a sideward outflow. Typically, this is achieved by connecting a small hose element to the main hose. This connection however is always the weak spot in the system. We have managed to eliminate this weakness. Another highlight is the manufacturing of 3D printed tools for the hose manufacturing. The key advantage next to costs and speed is that the hose is manufacture according to series condition. Therefore, our customers can verify our hoses very quickly while testing the product performance according to series condition. This is completely new, usually prototype parts and series parts and not 1:1 comparable with regards to their performance because the manufacturing process is different.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
MöllerWerke: All segments are very dynamic. Mechanical engineering is changing a lot because of the close link to the automotive industry. We see a lot of potential for machines that combine multiple processes in one and consequently are more flexible to machine different materials. Railway is a growing field due to the increasing demand of ecological mass transportation. And for large commercial vehicles the field is very demanding as well. Due to the need for increased efficiency, engine manufacturers direct their attention to low fuel consumption and correspondingly high litre-output. At the same time, the regulatory requirements for low engine emissions increase. Both aspects lead to units that are more compact. Maintaining or even increasing power usually leads to highly charged engines. And that drives the demand for hoses and guiding systems that can cope with this power for the long run. All this is very good for us.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
MöllerWerke: For the mechanical engineering and machine building industry the trend is to offer cost-efficient, compact and versatile machines. For railway, the trend is to become more ecological, especially with new power units and weight reduction concepts. And for large commercial vehicles the trends are very similar, with more emphasis to offer the whole range of power units for the different operational area of the customers.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
MöllerWerke: We believe that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is focusing on organizational activities and innovations. Hence the year 2021 is expected to show all this, especially when the large trade fairs will be back.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2020?
MöllerWerke: We already see a reduction in customer orders and therefore, this year will continue to be strained. Nevertheless, we are very happy to have our development and engineering departments fully loaded with projects so that we expect to have a strong position when the markets get back to their full potential.