Series production started for major BMW order
In April 2023, the newly installed piston line started with the first series batch of pistons for the new GS models of BMW-Motorrad. Production at the new site is being steadily ramped up in order to be able to represent an annual quantity of over 100,000 pistons as early as 2024.
The project was started more than two years ago, after the proposed overall technical package was convincing and KÖNIG was awarded the contract for this major order. Particularly noteworthy is the innovative technical design, which is characterized in particular by the use of a high-strength piston pin material – which is otherwise mainly used in aviation applications. This is facilitating to meet the high strength requirements of the newly developed GS engine.
A new era has also been ushered in in terms of production technology: An automated production line with an investment volume of over 6 million euros is setting new standards. For example, the number of processing machines and thus the number of clamping positions could be significantly reduced with the help of the new automated production concept. The tolerance restrictions, which can thus be reliably represented, were gratefully accepted by the customer development team. This also open new standards for future piston developments.
With the new GS piston production line, KÖNIG is establishing a new standard in the production of series high-performance pistons.