NAP Techniek knows what to do with 'big boys'

Certified Excellence Service Partner replaces high-quality cylinders in RailPro welding installation voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands BV

The welding and milling installations are the driving force behind the Rail Service Center of RailPro, specialist in rail processing. It is therefore crucial that these installations work well and reliably. NAP Techniek (central Netherlands) is largely responsible for this. Our Certified Excellence Service Partner, NAP Techniek, recently completed a major maintenance project, in which six high-quality cylinders were replaced.

RailPro supports managers and contractors in the construction and maintenance of rail infrastructure. Among other things, the company processes rails with different profiles and types of steel, with lengths of up to 360 metres. “RailPro saws the rails to the desired length, grinds the end pieces and ensures solid welds between the rails,” says Dennis Nap. Together with his sister Priscilla, he forms the management of the family business NAP Techniek from Nijkerk, an all-round partner for everything in the field of hydraulics. “Due to the intensity of that process, the rails are then realigned, blasted and coated. The cylinders in the welding machine that we replaced ensure, among other things, the stripping process of the weld layers, and the distribution of the rails, which move through the installation on roller conveyors. Crucial components, and so RailPro expects top quality from us.”

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Jan Jaap Lieuwen, Distribution Manager at Bosch Rexroth, also recognizes the importance of impeccable craftsmanship. “Ultimately, trains full of passengers or goods rush over these rails. Fortunately, NAP Techniek has all the knowledge and expertise in-house to deliver that quality. It is not without reason that they have been Bosch Rexroth CE Service Partner from the very beginning. I consider NAP Techniek to be a fully-fledged extension of our organization.”

In top condition
RailPro has been working with the Bosch Rexroth hydraulic power unit for the welding and milling installation for many years. That power unit dates from 1994, but it is still in operation and even in top condition. How is that possible? “First of all, of course, because of the quality of the power unit,” says Jan Jaap. “But certainly also because of the way it has been handled. The oil and the oil pump, for example, are the lifeblood and heart of a machine. Incorrect oil management is the cause of no less than 80 to 90 percent of all hydraulic malfunctions. I don't like to use vague terms like eternal life, but if you take good care of the oil and the pump, a machine is almost impossible to break. And that is exactly what NAP Techniek does.”

Tough guys
In two weeks (January 2024), NAP Techniek replaced six cylinders in the hydraulic unit in question. “That sounds like a small number, but make no mistake: these are heavy guys,” says Jan Jaap. “You can't just take them out. For example, you have to disconnect them hydraulically and electrically, and that according to a challenging schedule. RailPro wanted to interrupt the production process for as short a time as possible, so the time pressure was high. An extra week of work because something went wrong? That was not an option.”

Maximum quality
Due to the planning, RailPro and NAP Techniek opted for a 'double approach': the old cylinders were replaced by new ones, after which the old ones were overhauled, so that they could later be used as spare parts. During this overhaul, NAP Techniek used seal kits from Bosch Rexroth to replace the seals. "We work with original Bosch Rexroth parts", says Dennis. "That way we know for sure that the cylinders will be in perfect condition again." Jan Jaap uses the term back to original. "That way we can guarantee maximum quality again. Take it from me: these cylinders can last for years again."

Pride as a driving force
Dennis and Priscilla are satisfied with the collaboration with Bosch Rexroth. “Bosch stands for quality,” says Dennis. “You can see that from the fact that the replaced cylinders were already decades old. And we can still order seal kits and consult documentation.” Priscilla adds: “Bosch Rexroth is an A-brand that you encounter worldwide. As far as we are concerned, there is nothing better. We are therefore a proud CE Service Partner. A good collaboration structure by the way: Bosch Rexroth is a large organization, while the market demands short lines and speed, exactly what we are good at. Does a customer urgently need a part for a machine? Then we deliver it today, so that his production can continue to run. And in everything we do, pride is an important driving force. Half work? We will never deliver that.”

Continue cooperation
Bosch Rexroth has an ambitious goal: by 2028, at least 30 percent of our global order intake must come from our partners. Jan Jaap: “We are ready for it, and I have every confidence that NAP Techniek is too. I hope and expect that we will continue our collaboration for many years to come.” Dennis and Priscilla are also in the race. Priscilla: “The collaboration is going well. Of course, you sometimes run into things, but it is about dealing with them properly. We always find a solution with Bosch Rexroth. As far as we are concerned, we will continue on the same path in the coming years.”

The NAP Techniek maintenance project at RailPro ran from 8 to 22 January 2024. At the end of January, RailPro reported that its factories are fully operational again, and all rail processing is possible again according to customer requirements. The project will soon enter a new chapter, when NAP Techniek will replace eight auxiliary cylinders of the RailPro welding installation.