Bopla automates a Datron M8 Cube and a Haas VF-2SS with RoboJob
More unmanned hours, sharper prices, more orders
Bopla automates a Datron M8 Cube and a Haas VF-2SS with RoboJob
Bopla in Bünde, Germany, develops and produces electronic enclosures in plastic and aluminium. Since 2018, RoboJob has automated two of its machining centres: a Mill-Assist Essential on a Datron M8 Cube, the first Datron machine RoboJob ever automated, and a Racks system on a Haas VF-2SS. The result: many unmanned hours, sharper prices and more orders.
Key facts
- Company: Bopla Gehäuse Systeme GmbH
- Location: Bünde, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Founded: 1970
- Employees: approx. 240 (Bünde)
- Industries: Machine construction, Subcontracting, Plastic parts
- RoboJob products: Mill-Assist Essential, Racks (predecessor of Pallet-Load)
- CNC machine brands: Datron, Haas
- Automated machines: Datron M8 Cube, Haas VF-2SS
- RoboJob customer since: 2018
- Key results: first Datron machine automated by RoboJob; installation in one week; many unmanned hours; sharper prices and more orders
Electronic enclosures from East Westphalia
For more than 55 years, Bopla has developed and produced standard and customer-specific electronic enclosures in plastic and aluminium, as well as input units such as touchscreens and membrane keypads. Its enclosures are used in measurement and control technology, machine building and medical technology, among others. Part of the Swiss Phoenix Mecano group since 1977, Bopla employs more than 240 people at its headquarters in Bünde, just north of Bielefeld.
Why automate: as many spindle hours as possible
“It is our business philosophy to get as much return from every machine as possible. The spindle has to run for as many hours as possible, preferably 24hrs a day. However, working in 2 or 3 shifts is very expensive, so we started looking at the possibilities of automation.”
— Bopla, Bünde
At other locations, colleagues had tried to build their own solution around an industrial robot. It took them half a year, and switching between products remained difficult without a lot of robot knowledge. So Bopla looked for an existing standard solution with user-friendly programming, and came to RoboJob through Hoffmann and Mazak.
A first for Datron
In June 2018, the first RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential was installed on an existing Datron M8 Cube. The machine had an interface, but in a very closed software version. For both RoboJob and Datron, it was the first time a Datron machine was equipped with a robot. After a few weeks, every question was answered, and the robot has run flawlessly ever since.
A Racks system on a new Haas VF-2SS
A second system followed on a new Haas VF-2SS: a RoboJob Racks system, the predecessor of today’s Pallet-Load. This installation went much more smoothly and was completed in one week.
- Datron M8 Cube with a Mill-Assist Essential
- Haas VF-2SS with a Racks system (predecessor of Pallet-Load)
“In our production we have to produce a lot of different products with our machines, and therefore switching from one product to another is very important. Using RoboJob automation, that goes extremely quickly, not only thanks to the software, but also thanks to the flexible table. You can configure that table quickly and easily, so that you can place both small and large pieces on it.”
— Bopla, Bünde
The result: more capacity, sharper prices
Bopla’s goal was to significantly increase production capacity, and it succeeded. The automated machines run many unmanned hours, and the operator of a robot cell also runs a second machine. Installation now takes a week, and operators are trained and working with the robot right away.
“Because we now get more hours out of the machine, we are also able to sharpen our prices in the market and we’re receiving more orders. Mission accomplished!”
— Bopla, Bünde
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Bopla automate with RoboJob?
Bopla in Bünde, Germany, automated a Datron M8 Cube with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential and a Haas VF-2SS with a RoboJob Racks system, the predecessor of Pallet-Load. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2018.
Can a Datron machining centre be automated?
Yes. Bopla’s Datron M8 Cube was the first Datron machine ever automated by RoboJob, with a Mill-Assist Essential. Despite a closed software interface, the cell has run flawlessly since the first few weeks. See the Datron automation page.
Can a Haas VF-2SS be automated?
Yes. Bopla automated a new Haas VF-2SS with a RoboJob Racks system, the predecessor of the Pallet-Load, installed in one week. EFM Präzisionstechnik runs Mill-Assist cells on two Haas VF-2 machines and a VF-4. See the Haas automation page.
Should you build your own robot cell or buy a standard solution?
At other Bopla locations, colleagues spent half a year building their own cell around an industrial robot, and switching products remained difficult. Bopla chose RoboJob’s standard solution for its user-friendly programming: installation now takes one week, and operators are trained right away.
Which manufacturers of plastic parts use RoboJob?
RoboJob automates CNC machining of plastic parts at companies such as Bopla in Bünde, which machines enclosures in plastic and aluminium, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials and JM Cauwet. See CNC automation for plastic parts.