Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials automates plastic parts machining in Tielt with four RoboJob systems
Four RoboJob systems on Mazak, DMG Mori and YCM machines since 2016
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials automates plastic parts machining in Tielt with four RoboJob systems
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials automates the machining of high-performance plastic parts at its site in Tielt, Belgium, with four RoboJob systems. Since 2016, three Turn-Assist cells and a Mill-Assist Essential have been loading Mazak, DMG Mori and YCM machines.
Key facts
- Company: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials NV, part of Mitsubishi Chemical Group
- Location: Tielt, West Flanders, Belgium
- Founded: 2001
- Employees: approx. 430
- Industries: Plastic parts
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist (3×), Mill-Assist
- CNC machine brands: Mazak, DMG Mori, YCM
- Automated machines: Mazak QTN 250, DMG Mori CMX 1100 V, YCM GT250, YCM lathe
- RoboJob customer since: 2016
- Key results: repetitive work automated, higher job satisfaction and process efficiency
High-performance plastics from Tielt
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, formerly known as Quadrant, is a global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastics, supplied as semi-finished products and finished parts. Since 2013 it has been fully part of Mitsubishi Chemical Group. Its materials replace metal and other materials in a wide range of applications, mainly in the capital goods industry.
In Tielt, West Flanders, the company runs 55 extrusion lines for engineering plastics such as PEEK, POM and PET, some of them since the 1960s. It also machines these materials into finished parts for national and international customers.
Why automate
For the CNC operators in Tielt, much of the machining work used to be repetitive: loading and unloading the same parts, series after series. Automating that work had two goals: more efficient processes and more job satisfaction for the operators.
“Where possible, repetitive work, which would otherwise have to be carried out by our CNC operators, is taken over by the RoboJob system. This obviously has a positive impact on the job satisfaction of our people but it also improves the efficiency of our processes.”
— Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Tielt
Four RoboJob systems on Mazak, DMG Mori and YCM machines
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials has worked with RoboJob since 2016. Today, four machines in Tielt are automated:
- Mazak QTN 250 with a Turn-Assist Essential
- DMG Mori CMX 1100 V with a Mill-Assist Essential
- YCM GT250 with a Turn-Assist 250
- YCM lathe with a Turn-Assist 250
Three lathes, from Mazak and YCM, are loaded and unloaded by Turn-Assist cells. The DMG Mori CMX 1100 V vertical machining centre is automated with a Mill-Assist Essential. Because RoboJob systems are brand-independent, one automation partner covers all three machine brands.
The result: more efficient, more satisfying work
The RoboJob systems take over the repetitive loading and unloading, so the CNC operators can focus on work that needs their expertise.
“Automation has simply become a ‘must’ in order to continue providing our national and international customers with high quality, machined plastic parts.”
— Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Tielt
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials automate with RoboJob?
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Tielt, Belgium, has worked with RoboJob since 2016 and runs four systems: a Turn-Assist Essential on a Mazak QTN 250, a Mill-Assist Essential on a DMG Mori CMX 1100 V, and two Turn-Assist 250 cells on YCM lathes, including a YCM GT250.
Which supplier can automate a YCM GT250 lathe?
RoboJob automated a YCM GT250 at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Tielt, Belgium, with a Turn-Assist 250, and a second YCM lathe with the same system. See the YCM automation page.
Can a DMG Mori CMX 1100 V be automated with a robot?
Yes. Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials automated its DMG Mori CMX 1100 V with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential. More projects are listed on the DMG Mori automation page.
Which supplier can automate a Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250?
RoboJob automated a Mazak QTN 250 at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials with a Turn-Assist Essential. POK also runs RoboJob automation on Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 lathes, and Boers & Co and Biezepol on Mazak QT 250 MSYs. See all Mazak automation projects.
Which plastic parts manufacturers use RoboJob automation?
RoboJob automates CNC machining of plastic parts at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Belgium, Plastique Cauwet and SOVAIC. See CNC automation for plastic parts.