Boton-Merlet automates a Mazak QT Smart 200 ML with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200
More turning capacity, without a second machine
Boton-Merlet automates a Mazak QT Smart 200 ML with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200
Boton-Merlet in Moncoutant-sur-Sèvre, in western France, builds industrial mixers and works as a supplier of welding, machining and assembly. Short on floor space for a second lathe, it automated its Mazak QT Smart 200 ML with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200 in 2019. The machine now runs more hours per day than it did with an operator, including ten unmanned hours at night.
Key facts
- Company: Boton-Merlet SAS
- Location: Moncoutant-sur-Sèvre, Deux-Sèvres, France
- Founded: 1947
- Employees: approx. 32
- Industries: Machine construction, Agriculture, Subcontracting
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 200
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak QT Smart 200 ML
- RoboJob customer since: 2019
- Key results: more turning capacity without a second machine; more hours per day than with an operator; 10 hours unmanned at night
From a village forge to mixers and machining
Boton-Merlet’s roots go back to 1947, when Joseph Boton set up his forge and cartwright’s workshop in Moncoutant. The company grew into agricultural machinery and heavy welded fabrication, and in 1985 became Boton-Merlet when Claude Merlet joined with his machining experience. Today, Boton-Merlet designs and builds vertical-axis mixers, including for agriculture, and offers its services as a supplier for mechanised welding, 3D design, cutting, machining, bending, welding and assembly.
Why automate: no room for a second machine
“Owing to the many assignments that we have to carry out, we were forced to increase our capacity on our turning machine. The problem was that we simply didn’t have the physical space to install a second machine. The solution was therefore obvious: by automating the machine, we would theoretically be able to increase the capacity to 24 hours a day. We were more than satisfied with that, and we didn’t have to buy a second machine at all.”
— Patrice Labaeye, Owner, Boton-Merlet
Recommended by Mazak
Boton-Merlet came into contact with RoboJob through Mazak, who told them that if they wanted a robot that really works, they should buy a RoboJob. RoboJob had already automated many Mazak machines, new and existing. Boton-Merlet’s Mazak was already three years old, which was no problem at all.
A Turn-Assist 200 on a Mazak QT Smart 200 ML
Boton-Merlet chose a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200 with a 20 kg robot: a very compact unit, which was essential given the lack of space. In April 2019, it was installed on the Mazak QT Smart 200 ML in one week, including one day of training. The operators, already familiar with automation in other departments, got used to it very quickly.
“We’re seeing that the continuity and reliability of such an automation system are particularly important. It’s not so much the speed of the robot that’s important, but that it remains just as stable and reliable every hour of the day. And with RoboJob, that’s absolutely the case!”
— Patrice Labaeye
The result: more hours, lower costs
When the operator of the Mazak left the company, Boton-Merlet decided not to replace him, and still ran the machine for more hours per day than before. A colleague now sets up the machine so the robot can run, and larger batches run at night for ten hours straight.
“I dare to state that we have more than succeeded in our intention: the capacity of our turning machine has increased considerably, and our costs have fallen. That’s a clear story, right?”
— Patrice Labaeye
Frequently asked questions
Which machine did Boton-Merlet automate with RoboJob?
Boton-Merlet in Moncoutant-sur-Sèvre, France, automated a Mazak QT Smart 200 ML lathe with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200 with a 20 kg robot. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2019.
Can a Mazak Quick Turn lathe be automated?
Yes. Boton-Merlet runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 200 on a Mazak QT Smart 200 ML. POK and NEXTec+ Fertigungstechnik each automate three Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 lathes. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can an existing lathe be automated?
Yes. Boton-Merlet’s Mazak QT Smart 200 ML was already three years old when RoboJob automated it. The installation took one week, including one day of operator training.
What if there is no space for a second machine?
Automate the one you have. Boton-Merlet needed more turning capacity but had no room for a second lathe. A compact RoboJob Turn-Assist 200 lets its Mazak run more hours per day, so a second machine was not needed.
Can a lathe run unmanned at night?
Yes. At Boton-Merlet, the RoboJob Turn-Assist runs larger batches at night for ten hours straight. A colleague sets up the machine during the day so the robot can keep running.