Efficient Collaboration in the Machine Park: Human, Machine, and Cobot as One Team
Outsourcing an order with different products and formats for processing? With us, your products are in good hands for drilling, sawing, and milling. By producing smartly and optimizing the collaboration between humans, machines, and technology, we offer not only competitive prices but also stable and precise production. Our colleague Erik is happy to give you a look inside our climate-controlled milling facility in Lichtenvoorde.
Smart production isn’t something we’ve only started doing recently, Erik knows this better than anyone. He’s been working with us in Lichtenvoorde for 37 years. Starting as an intern, then as a milling operator, and for several years now as a working team leader in the same department. “In 1988, we were already using pallet change systems, today we still use them, but much more extensively, which allows us to produce 24/7. The drive for improvement is in our DNA. We build and invent a lot ourselves. Our specialists combine their knowledge of technology and process automation to continuously develop better solutions.”
Innovation in house
Innovation is not only about buying new machines, but also about making efficient use of our modern existing machinery. For example, we’ve configured our Matsuura MX330 milling machine for flexible production. It used to be set up for a single product type, but with the addition of a cobot (robot arm), we now process a variety of materials on this machine. This results in higher output, faster production and more competitive pricing.
“A cobot is not a threat to us. It’s an extension of our team,” says Erik. “An extra hand that not only helps us cope with the shortage of skilled workers, but also reduces workload and makes the process more consistent.”
Stable Output with a Cobot
Clamping of various products is done through form-fitting. Each year, the cobot processes tens of thousands of products into a shape that allows for stable clamping. This enables heavier machining, reduces material waste and ensures a stable output.
We also use fixed clamping systems suitable for different sizes of profiles and blocks. “That keeps setup times low and allows us to quickly mill or drill a wide range of products, from small to large and from single units to larger series.”
Precision, Speed and Variety
Whether it’s precision components for safety applications, luxury parts for yacht building or complex products for the automotive, high-tech, instrumentation or medical analytical markets, our clients demand both speed and precision. That’s where we make the difference.
We work in a climate-controlled space with constant temperature and humidity, ensuring that both machining and measuring take place under ideal conditions. We also use smart software to continuously improve. During night and weekend production, we monitor the site remotely via an app. This is how we put Smart Factory into practice.
Collaboration between human and machine
“The best moments are when everything comes together: the right machine, the right software and the right people in the right place. My colleagues are still indispensable. It’s the synergy between humans and machines that enables us to make continuous progress. At 54, I still enjoy working side by side with the younger generation. We complement each other. They bring digital knowledge and I bring craftsmanship and experience. Together we improve one another and our processes. That’s how we make products we can be proud of,” Erik concludes.
