M-Plus automates two Mazak Integrex machines and a Mazak MTV 515 with RoboJob
Precision machining of superalloys, automated for small batches
M-Plus automates two Mazak Integrex machines and a Mazak MTV 515 with RoboJob
M-Plus, formerly known as Mecaplus, in Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont, France, specialises in precision machining of superalloys and hard metals. For accurate work in small batches, the company turned to RoboJob in 2016. Today, two Turn-Assist 250 cells load Mazak Integrex lathes and a Mill-Assist Essential loads a Mazak MTV 515.
Key facts
- Company: M-Plus (formerly Mecaplus)
- Location: Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont, Territoire de Belfort, France
- Founded: 1987
- Employees: approx. 65
- Industries: Subcontracting, Energy, Aerospace
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 250 (2×), Mill-Assist Essential
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak Integrex i-100S, Mazak Integrex i-100ST, Mazak MTV 515
- RoboJob customer since: 2016
- Key results: installed in a few days; return far better than the business plan; robots used day and night
Superalloy machining in the Energy Valley
Founded in 1987 as Mecaplus, M-Plus machines superalloys and hard metals such as Inconel, Hastelloy, Stellite, Nimonic and titanium, as well as stainless and carbon steel, aluminium, copper and bronze. With 3- to 5-axis lathes, 3- to 6-axis machining centres, wire EDM and grinding, it produces complex components in small and medium batches, mainly for the energy and aerospace sectors. M-Plus is ISO 9001 and AS/EN 9100 certified and is located in the heart of France’s Energy Valley.
Why RoboJob: automation for accurate, small-batch work
“Automation is nothing new for Mecaplus. We’ve been investing in the automation of our machine park for over 10 years, with bar feeders, pallet solutions and larger cells. However, for the really accurate work we were unable to find a suitable solution to meet our needs until recently. And certainly not for the smaller quantities. But with the advent of RoboJob, there’s been a change. Our Mazak seller also managed to introduce RoboJob to us and we became convinced of their solutions in no time at all.”
— M-Plus (formerly Mecaplus), Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont
A fast start, led by the operator
The first RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 was installed on a Mazak Integrex i-100S in August 2016, in just a few days. The operator of this machine was made responsible for the project: involved in the purchase, he trained his colleagues and took the lead.
“We had drawn up a business plan beforehand, estimating the return on our Turn-Assist investment. This has quickly turned out to be far too pessimistic because the Turn-Assist was even more user-friendly and faster than we could have imagined. If you can work with a Mazatrol control, RoboJob automation is child’s play.”
— M-Plus (formerly Mecaplus), Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont
Three RoboJob systems on Mazak machines
After comparing the market again, the company found that nobody could match RoboJob’s standard automation, and expanded to three systems, including a Mill-Assist Essential.
- Mazak Integrex i-100S with a Turn-Assist 250
- Mazak Integrex i-100ST with a Turn-Assist 250
- Mazak MTV 515 with a Mill-Assist Essential
The result: day and night
M-Plus first planned to use its robots at night, but uses them more and more during the day too, freeing up the operators to use their time more efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did M-Plus automate with RoboJob?
M-Plus, formerly Mecaplus, in Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont, France, runs RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 cells on a Mazak Integrex i-100S and a Mazak Integrex i-100ST, and a Mill-Assist Essential on a Mazak MTV 515. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2016.
Is M-Plus the same company as Mecaplus?
Yes. Mecaplus, founded in 1987 in Lachapelle-sous-Rougemont, now continues as M-Plus at the same site. Its RoboJob cells, first installed under the Mecaplus name, are still in use.
Can a Mazak Integrex i-100 be automated?
Yes. M-Plus runs RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 cells on a Mazak Integrex i-100S and an i-100ST. Puget Production Mécanique automates an Integrex i-100ST with a Turn-Assist 270. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can precision machining of superalloys be automated?
Yes. M-Plus machines Inconel, Hastelloy, Stellite, Nimonic and titanium in small and medium batches. With RoboJob, it found an automation solution for this accurate work, even for smaller quantities. See CNC automation for aerospace manufacturing.
How quickly does a RoboJob cell pay back?
At M-Plus, faster than planned. Its business plan for the first Turn-Assist quickly proved far too pessimistic, because the cell was even more user-friendly and faster than expected. For operators who know Mazatrol, RoboJob automation is child’s play.