Heemskerk Fijnmechanica
Heemskerk Fijnmechanica from Waddinxveen (the Netherlands) has been synonymous with progress for decades. While many companies were still hesitant, Heemskerk resolutely opted for new technologies: from CNC and CAD/CAM to robots and cobots. Today, no fewer than 60 machines and 24 robots are running in their two production halls. But what is the real driving force behind 24/7 production? Three RoboJob Towers.
Heemskerk Fijnmechanica
Heemskerk Fijnmechanica from Waddinxveen (the Netherlands) has been synonymous with progress for decades. While many companies were still hesitant, Heemskerk resolutely opted for new technologies: from CNC and CAD/CAM to robots and cobots. Today, no fewer than 60 machines and 24 robots are running in their two production halls. But what is the real driving force behind 24/7 production? Three RoboJob Towers.
From doubt to conviction
During the coronavirus pandemic, manager Lucien Heemskerk was introduced to the RoboJob Tower. ‘Honestly? At first, I thought it would be too expensive,’ he says. "Until we had the opportunity to install a demo model. From the moment that Tower started running alongside our Nakamura lathe, I was sold. The return on investment, the flexibility, the compact footprint: everything was just right. I can fit so much into one square metre, and I can literally automate everything with it."
What started with one Tower quickly grew into a substantial investment in the future. A second Tower followed in 2023, and today the third is also in full operation. Each time, the combination with Nakamura machines was chosen.
The ultimate cell: 24/7 production without worries
Lucien calls the most recent Tower installation his ‘ultimate cell’: three turrets, three Y-axes and fully powered. Everything is finished in one go, with automated supply and removal. Where multiple handling operations were previously required, the entire process is now fully automated.
The result? Non-stop production, day and night. ‘Today, we are really getting the most out of our spindles,’ says Lucien. ‘And that's without compromise: less downtime, more efficiency and maximum flexibility.’
‘Today, we are really getting the most out of our spindles. And that's without compromise: less downtime, more efficiency and maximum flexibility.’
Long-term partnership
For Heemskerk Fijnmechanica, automation is not just about technology, but also about collaboration. ‘You build something together with your partner. RoboJob understands our needs and thinks along with us. That trust gives us the confidence to take the step again and again.’
Why the Tower makes the difference
The advantages of the RoboJob Tower are crystal clear at Heemskerk:
- 24/7 production without human intervention
- Compact footprint with enormous storage capacity
- Unprecedented versatility, deployable for a wide range of series and materials
- Fully integrated with high-end Nakamura lathes
- Maximum return from existing machines
The future assured
What began years ago as a bold choice for robots is now the key to the success of Heemskerk Fijnmechanica. With three RoboJob Towers, the family business remains true to its philosophy: always looking ahead and embracing new technology.
Lucien sums it up: ‘Automation is no longer an extra trump card, it is a necessity. Thanks to RoboJob, we now run our production 24/7. That is exactly what the future holds.’
Thanks to Metaalvak and Valerie Couplez for the interview.