Depoortere automates three Mazak machines with a RoboJob Turn-Assist and two Pallet-Loads
Small runs unmanned, for flax machines and Vlamalin presses
Depoortere automates three Mazak machines with a RoboJob Turn-Assist and two Pallet-Loads
Depoortere in Beveren-Leie, Belgium, has designed and built flax harvesters and scutching lines since 1925, as well as industrial presses under the Vlamalin brand. As a RoboJob customer since 2011, it automates its own parts production on three Mazak machines: a Turn-Assist 250 on a QTN 250 II MY, and Pallet-Loads on an Integrex i-450 HST and a CV5-500.
Key facts
- Company: Depoortere NV (maker of Vlamalin presses)
- Location: Beveren-Leie (Waregem), West Flanders, Belgium
- Founded: 1925
- Employees: approx. 89
- Industries: Agriculture, Machine construction
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 250, Pallet-Load (2×)
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak QTN 250 II MY, Mazak Integrex i-450 HST, Mazak CV5-500
- RoboJob customer since: 2011
- Key results: small runs produced unmanned; easy operation; quick set-up
A century of flax machines and Vlamalin presses
Depoortere is a West Flemish family business that has been active in the flax world for more than 100 years. It designs and manufactures machines for harvesting, processing and scutching flax, as well as industrial presses under the Vlamalin brand, and applies its expertise to other natural fibres such as hemp and kenaf. Its factory in Beveren-Leie has an experienced design office, a modern workshop with an up-to-date machine park and employees with extensive knowledge of natural fibres.
Why RoboJob: a well-engineered system
Depoortere first saw the RoboJob Turn-Assist at a trade fair in Kortrijk. After a visit to RoboJob’s factory in Heist-op-den-Berg, the decision was made.
“I saw first the Turn-Assist System at a trade fair in Kortrijk. Afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking about the concept and following a visit to their factory in Heist-op-den-Berg, we were convinced to go for RoboJob. As a manufacturer of flax machines, we have the control of the engineering of our products and from this experience we knew that the RoboJob’s Turn-Assist was a thoughtfully and well crafted system. In particular the easy operation and quick set-up time allows our operators to now produce small runs man-free.”
— Depoortere, Beveren-Leie
Three RoboJob systems on Mazak machines
To machine parts for its flax machines and Vlamalin presses, Depoortere added two RoboJob Pallet-Load systems on larger Mazak machines after its first Turn-Assist 250.
- Mazak QTN 250 II MY with a Turn-Assist 250
- Mazak Integrex i-450 HST with a Pallet-Load
- Mazak CV5-500 with a Pallet-Load
The result: small runs, unmanned
Thanks to the easy operation and quick set-up of its RoboJob systems, Depoortere’s operators produce small runs without anyone at the machine.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Depoortere automate with RoboJob?
Depoortere in Beveren-Leie, Belgium, runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak QTN 250 II MY, and RoboJob Pallet-Loads on a Mazak Integrex i-450 HST and a Mazak CV5-500. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2011.
Who makes Vlamalin presses?
Vlamalin industrial presses are made by Depoortere in Beveren-Leie, Belgium, a family business that has built flax harvesting, processing and scutching machines since 1925. Depoortere uses RoboJob automation on three Mazak machines to produce parts for its machines.
Can a Mazak CV5-500 be automated?
Yes. Depoortere automated a Mazak CV5-500 5-axis machining centre with a RoboJob Pallet-Load. Kammerer MedTec also runs a Pallet-Load on a CV5-500. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can a large Mazak Integrex be automated?
Yes. Depoortere runs a RoboJob Pallet-Load on a Mazak Integrex i-450 HST. Kocks Manufacturing automates an Integrex i-400 with a Tower, and Van Bussel Metaaltechniek an Integrex i-400S with a Turn-Assist 250.
Can a Mazak Quick Turn 250 be automated?
Yes. Depoortere runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak QTN 250 II MY. POK and URMA also automate QTN 250 lathes.
Which agricultural machinery manufacturers use RoboJob?
RoboJob automates parts production at agricultural machinery manufacturers such as Depoortere and Dewulf in Belgium and Strautmann Hydraulik in Germany. See CNC automation for agricultural machinery.