EFM Präzisionstechnik automates three Haas VF milling machines with RoboJob Mill-Assist
50% more spindle hours on automated machines
EFM Präzisionstechnik automates three Haas VF milling machines with RoboJob Mill-Assist
EFM Präzisionstechnik in Gangkofen, Germany, machines precision turned and milled parts and assemblies for demanding industries. Since 2018, RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential cells have automated three of its Haas milling machines, delivering 50% more spindle hours than the machines without automation.
Key facts
- Company: EFM Präzisionstechnik GmbH
- Location: Gangkofen, Lower Bavaria, Germany
- Founded: 2005
- Employees: approx. 50
- Industries: Subcontracting, Machine construction, Aerospace
- RoboJob products: Mill-Assist Essential (3×)
- CNC machine brands: Haas
- Automated machines: Haas VF-2SS, Haas VF-2SSYT, Haas VF-4SS
- RoboJob customer since: 2018
- Key results: 50% more spindle hours on automated machines; fast installation; quick changeover between products
A young, fast-growing supplier
Christian Pauli founded EFM in 2005, moved to larger premises after two years and later built the current plant in the Gangkofen business park. Today, around 50 people make turned and milled parts in stainless steel, aluminium and plastics, and assemble them, for sectors such as aerospace, film camera technology, semiconductors, laboratory and medical technology, and food packaging. EFM also trains its own apprentices in its training workshop.
Why automate: large batches, short deadlines
“A few years ago we had already taken the step towards CNC automation. This was necessary to expand our capacity: after all, we regularly have to produce larger batches and this isn’t efficient without automation. Then you have to divide a series over several shifts and even several machines, especially when you’re having to work against a short deadline. When such a large batch has to be finished urgently, we want to be able to do it quickly and efficiently.”
— Christian Pauli, Managing Director, EFM Präzisionstechnik
Why RoboJob: simple programming, a well-oiled team
EFM visited the RoboJob stand at EMO 2017 and was impressed by the simple programming. Having automated milling machines with other suppliers before, EFM was surprised by RoboJob’s approach.
“You can tell that these guys know what they’re doing! It looks like a well-oiled machine. When I compare with other suppliers, it went much faster with RoboJob. These people also have more knowledge of their products, our machine, the interface and so on. These aspects create trust.”
— Christian Pauli
Three Mill-Assists on three Haas machines
In May 2018, the first RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential was installed on one of the two Haas VF-2 machines, a VF-2SS and a VF-2SSYT. Two more followed, on the other VF-2 and a VF-4SS, and those installations went smoothly too. Even a colleague without experience or training can program the robot flawlessly.
- Haas VF-2SS with a Mill-Assist Essential
- Haas VF-2SSYT with a Mill-Assist Essential
- Haas VF-4SS with a Mill-Assist Essential
The result: 50% more spindle hours
“Everything can be programmed very quickly and switching from one product to another is also very fast. Thanks to RoboJob’s solutions, we achieve 50% more spindle hours on the machines with automation as opposed to the machines without automation.”
— Christian Pauli
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did EFM Präzisionstechnik automate with RoboJob?
EFM Präzisionstechnik in Gangkofen, Germany, automated a Haas VF-2SS, a Haas VF-2SSYT and a Haas VF-4SS vertical machining centre with RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential cells. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2018.
Can a Haas VF-2 or VF-4 be automated?
Yes. EFM Präzisionstechnik runs RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential cells on a Haas VF-2SS, a Haas VF-2SSYT and a Haas VF-4SS. See the Haas automation page.
How many more spindle hours does a Mill-Assist deliver?
At EFM Präzisionstechnik, the Haas machines with a RoboJob Mill-Assist achieve 50% more spindle hours than the machines without automation.
Is a RoboJob Mill-Assist easy to program?
Yes. At EFM Präzisionstechnik, even a colleague with no experience or training can program the RoboJob robot flawlessly, and switching from one product to the next is very fast.
Can automation help finish large batches against short deadlines?
Yes. EFM Präzisionstechnik automated to handle large, urgent batches without splitting them over several shifts and machines. In Germany, Friedrich Daniels also uses a RoboJob Mill-Assist to keep a machining centre running.