THE COLUMN I SHARE GGG HISTORY
2020 / 05 / 28 Back to event list


This time in the column I SHARE GGG HISTORY we’ve talked to Rimvydas Bendaravičius, the company's chief technologist.
 

How did you choose your profession, Rimvydas? Have you been determined about your choice since childhood?

I always liked numbers and construction. Moreover, my grandfather was a locksmith welder. His direct influence probably helped me to make my choice back in childhood.

Where did you begin your professional career path? When did you join the GGG team, in what position?

My professional path started in Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla (GGG) on the 3rd of December 2007. My first position was an engineer assembly technologist. 
I grew up together with the factory as a specialist and have uninterruptedly spent here almost 13 years.

Today, your position is a chief technologist. You are the main person responsible for the smooth running of equipment and finding solutions for product manufacture. Tell us briefly about your team.

Today, we have 9 people employed in the Technology Department: engineer technologist, mechanical engineer, product engineer, electrical engineer, chemical engineering technologist, information system specialist, and three locksmiths-toolmakers. These specialists are directly responsible for the trouble-free operation of process equipment and systems, new product development and solutions for mass production. They are also tasked with developing permanent technological improvements.

You are an individual who has great responsibility. Many colleagues would say, you are a very precise person. Do you apply the same high standards for others?

These traits have both pros and cons. I strive for perfection and demand this from all employees. I think it's not easy to work with me.

Tell us about technological processes and their improvement in the company. What are the biggest challenges in your work?

All materials used in the manufacturing process are metal. It is strip rolls brass, tombac, steel, and wire spools of lead and steel.
Cups of cartridge cases are made from brass strip. Bullet caps are produced from tombac or from tombac-clad steel strip (depending on cartridge caliber). Bullet lead and steel cores are produced from lead and steel wire.
Equipment operates in the automatic mode: cylindrical cases of the required diameter and length are stretched from the case cups. The cylindrical case is annealed and formed during subsequent operations. This is how we produce a case in the specified shape. Firstly a primers socket, a case neck and a shoulder are formed. Secondly, a fire hole and the marking imprint are cut on the bottom of the case. In the turning operation the curb for cases is drilled, the case is cut off to required length, and the neck of the case is annealed. Finally, in this initial process, a primer is inserted into the case.
Lead and steel cores of the bullets are formed in core forming equipment. The bullet assembly press makes the bullet from the components. It consists of the cap, the lead slug, and the steel core. The case and the cartridge are assembled in a special room. Here, powder is added to the case. Packing and palletizing are performed after visual inspection of the cartridge.
Usually, we do various improvements in the products seeking to reduce the highest risk of failure. Also, it is done by putting newly developed products to mass production, changing technological materials, or in situations when certain equipment parts are no longer produced.

What technological solutions would you like to see in the company in a 5-year perspective?

In a 5-year perspective, I would like to see many changes: the development of equipment, the expansion of technical measurement facilities in the laboratory, the increase of the product range, the doubling of production potential, modernization of smiths' shops, and a bullet line.

You are responsible for preparation of technical documentation. Can you tell us briefly what you need to do to prepare good documents?

Tough question. First of all, document preparation requires a technical person with mathematical accuracy who understands the importance of documents and is able to prepare them. There will never be a good result without theoretical knowledge. The best results are achieved by having strong theoretical knowledge and teaching to apply it in practice. Preparing of a technical document should be described in these steps: the question of the need for a document is raised / preparing an initial version  / document corrections are performed within the service / coordination with other services / reviewing and re-adjusting comments / approval / transferring for registration to workplaces / delivering the document to the workplace / registration of backup copy in the library and e-library/work according to document requirements.

Please take 2 questions you would like to ask a graduate student who wants to join the GGG Technology Department team?

Aren't you afraid of challenges?
Why do you want to choose GGG?

What famous person do you admire? What thoughts would you like to share with him?

I don't have one. I’ve never been fascinated by celebrities or public figures. My wife is the person with whom at this stage of life I can share my thoughts or get advice on different issues.

And finally, if you had to give a short message to a news portal describing the company's activities, how would it sound?

It is good everywhere, but it is best at GGG!