ClampMAX® Hydraulics Increases Miba’s Bearing Production
Industry Segment: Large Bearing Manufacturing
Customer: Miba Bearing Division, part of global engineering leader Miba AG
Location: McConnelsville, Ohio
Results
• Significant increase in production throughput
• Improved operator safety via integrated light curtain and advanced system monitoring
• Extended tooling life through precision-targeted lubrication
The Challenge
At Miba’s McConnelsville plant, a critical forming machine used to notch engine main bearings (2.25"–8" wide) for locomotives and diesel engines was running too hot, too fast, and under too much stress. The compact hydraulic units in the machine’s lower enclosure were generating excessive heat and jeopardizing production reliability and operator safety. Every idle minute meant rising temperatures and lost throughput.
Miba needed a solution that could:
• Fit a tight spatial footprint
• Manage heat effectively
• Keep operators safe
• Ensure continuous production
The Solution: All World’s Custom Hydraulics
All World delivered a fully custom ClampMAX® Hydraulic Power System built to Miba’s specifications. At its core were Daikin inverter-driven hydraulics, offering low heat output and energy efficiency, perfect for compact spaces.
Key ClampMAX features include ifm efector smart sensors, custom valve stack configurations, and HMI-controlled PLCs, programmed by All World for precise automation of the forming process. The ClampMAX system achieves reliable performance at 8–10 liters/min at 300 psi, all within a compact, serviceable footprint.
Custom Engineering Highlights
• Heat Management: A 30-liter reservoir, three times the standard size, enhances thermal stability. On-demand operation minimizes heat during idle cycles.
• Targeted Lubrication: A precision oil delivery system reduces wear on forming tooling and extended service life.
• Process Control: HMI-based PLC programming enabling exact control of tooling motion to match the required notch-forming sequence.
• Operator Safety: A light curtain and dual palm-button controls create a non-contact safety zone. If triggered, the system shuts down instantly, protecting personnel without slowing production.
• Control Cabinet & Panel Build: Fully custom-built by All World, it is designed for easy access and maintenance, allowing operators and engineers to quickly troubleshoot, adjust, and optimize the hydraulic system.
The Results: Cool, Safe, and Productive
The ClampMAX transformed Miba’s operation. The upgraded system delivered an increase in throughput, along with improved heat control, longer tooling life, and enhanced operator safety. The 30-liter reservoir and on-demand operation effectively reduced thermal load, while custom PLC programming ensured precise process control. Targeted lubrication minimized tool wear, and safety features, including a light curtain and real-time system monitoring, protected operators without affecting cycle times.
Miba was so satisfied with the performance of the first ClampMAX unit (installed in 2023) that they ordered two additional identical systems.
“We delivered not just a functional unit—but a solution the customer could rely on,” said All World Sales Engineer Jim McCullough. “Miba was so impressed they came back for two more identical systems.”
Another standout feature was delivery speed.
“What competitors couldn’t deliver in four to six weeks, we built quickly because we sourced everything internally,” McCullough added.
