FMO automates its Mazak CV5-500 with RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential
From press tools for the automotive industry to nuclear parts, machined unmanned at night
FMO automates its Mazak CV5-500 with RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential
FMO, a maker of precision tools for mechanical presses in La Ferté-Macé, Normandy, France, automated its Mazak CV5-500 five-axis machining centre in 2024 with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential and the Fixture Exchange module. The cell loads and unloads both workpieces and HWR fixtures, machines up to five different parts in one cycle, runs unmanned at night, and helped FMO win its first large order from the nuclear industry.
Key facts
- Company: FMO
- Location: La Ferté-Macé, Normandy, France
- Founded: 1992
- Employees: 22
- Industries: Subcontracting, Automotive, Energy
- RoboJob products: Mill-Assist Essential with Fixture Exchange module
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak CV5-500
- RoboJob customer since: 2024
- Key results: workpieces and fixtures loaded automatically, up to five different parts per cycle, unmanned night production, new customer in the nuclear industry
Precision press tools since 1992
FMO has been designing, developing and manufacturing precision tools for mechanical presses in La Ferté-Macé since 1992. With a team of 22 people, the company handles everything from design to final delivery to the customer.
For a long time, the automotive industry was FMO’s main market, with customers such as Renault, PSA and Ford. But FMO did not want to stand still. Managing director Dominic Davout decided to diversify into precision components for other sectors, including the nuclear industry.
A five-axis Mazak with a robot
An important step in that direction was the investment, in 2024, in a five-axis machining centre combined with a robot: a Mazak CV5-500 with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential. The goal was to produce technical parts in somewhat larger volumes, in small to medium series, as well as single pieces.
“Thanks to the automation with RoboJob, we can now machine several different parts in a single cycle. This saves us a huge amount of time and gives us unique flexibility towards our customers.”
— Dominic Davout, Managing Director, FMO
Workpieces and fixtures: up to five different parts at once
FMO’s Mill-Assist Essential is equipped with the Fixture Exchange module, with a gripper matched to HWR fixtures. The robot loads and unloads not only workpieces, but also the HWR fixtures themselves.
FMO deliberately chose a set-up in which the HWR workpiece carrier, rather than the workpiece itself, serves as the reference. This allows the cell to automate up to five different parts at the same time, which significantly reduces lead times and increases production capacity.
One package from RoboJob and Mazak
The collaboration between RoboJob and Mazak was decisive for FMO: the company wanted a total package with a single point of contact. Installation and commissioning went very smoothly, the operators were able to get started with the system quickly, and FMO could count on excellent support whenever a question came up.
The result: a new market, machined unmanned at night
The automation quickly paid off. Thanks to the new cell, FMO acquired a completely new customer from outside the automotive sector: a large order for 3,000 parts for the nuclear industry. FMO even processes this order completely unmanned during the night.
“The switch to automation was an innovative step for our company, but it has given FMO wings. We are looking to the future with confidence and want to roll out this technology to other departments.”
— Dominic Davout
Looking ahead
According to Dominic Davout, RoboJob has not only made FMO more flexible, but also opened the door to new markets such as the agricultural and railway industries. “This is just the beginning for us – we hope that automation will become a permanent feature at FMO!”
Dominic Davout on video
In the video below, managing director Dominic Davout talks about FMO’s experiences with RoboJob. The video also shows the Mill-Assist Essential with Fixture Exchange at work, loading both workpieces and HWR fixtures into the Mazak CV5-500.
Frequently asked questions
Which machine did FMO automate with RoboJob?
FMO in La Ferté-Macé, Normandy, France, automated a Mazak CV5-500 five-axis machining centre in 2024 with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential and the Fixture Exchange module. The cell loads both workpieces and HWR fixtures, machines up to five different parts in one cycle and runs unmanned at night.
Which supplier can automate a Mazak CV5-500?
RoboJob automates the Mazak CV5-500 with its Mill-Assist Essential. FMO in France runs one such cell, and Boers & Co in the Netherlands runs two identical Mill-Assist Essential cells on Mazak CV5 500s. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can a robot load fixtures as well as workpieces into a machining centre?
Yes. With the RoboJob Fixture Exchange module, a Mill-Assist, Tower or Wall can load and unload fixtures as well as workpieces. At FMO, the Mill-Assist Essential handles HWR fixtures on a Mazak CV5-500 and automates up to five different parts at the same time.
Can a five-axis machining centre run unmanned at night?
Yes. FMO machines a large order of 3,000 parts for the nuclear industry completely unmanned during the night, on a Mazak CV5-500 automated with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential.
Which French manufacturers use RoboJob Mill-Assist?
In France, RoboJob Mill-Assist runs at FMO in La Ferté-Macé on a Mazak CV5-500, at Meca Technic in La Haye-Pesnel on a Quaser and a Hedelius, and at manufacturers such as USIDUC.