POK automates three Mazak QTN 250 lathes with RoboJob Turn-Assist 180
Automation no bigger than a pallet, installed in four days per machine
POK automates three Mazak QTN 250 lathes with RoboJob Turn-Assist 180
POK in Nogent-sur-Seine, France’s leading manufacturer of firefighting equipment, automated three Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 lathes with RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 cells. With no more floor space available than a pallet, POK chose the most compact automation on the market, and became RoboJob’s first customer in France.
Key facts
- Company: POK SAS
- Location: Nogent-sur-Seine, Aube, Grand Est, France
- Founded: 1976
- Employees: approx. 90
- Industries: Machine construction, Defense
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 180 (3×)
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 MY, Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250-II M (2×)
- RoboJob customer since: 2015
- Key results: first RoboJob customer in France; three cells installed in four days each on machines in production; fast changeover between series
France’s leading firefighting equipment maker
Founded in 1976 by Bruno Grandpierre and based in Nogent-sur-Seine since 1990, POK designs, manufactures and sells firefighting equipment: hand-held and monitor nozzles, foam equipment, couplings, hose reels and more, with a catalogue of over 4,500 references. Around 60% of its sales go abroad. A family business, POK is driven by a passion for innovation, in its products and in its production.
“Innovation is very important to our business: not only when it comes to our products, but also in the field of production. At POK, we do not have machines that are older than 15 years. This allows us to continue our innovations to further increase the technical level of our products and to ensure top quality of our products, which is highly appreciated by our customers.”
— POK, Nogent-sur-Seine
Why automate: let people do what they do best
POK’s biggest challenge is attracting skilled operators. Its philosophy is to use people for their talent and creativity, so automation had to take over the physical and repetitive tasks. In 2014, POK began its search, found RoboJob through Google and, after two meetings, visited RoboJob in Heist-op-den-Berg. The order for three systems was signed the same day.
No bigger than a pallet
“RoboJob convinced us with two arguments, about which we are still satisfied: the compactness and system programming. In our workshop, we are very limited in terms of available surface. In fact, the automation cannot be larger than a pallet. With the Turn-Assist 180, RoboJob offers the most compact automation in the market. With their safety system in place, there is no need to build a cage around the installation. In addition, programming time and set-up are very limited, which allows us to change from one series to the next in no time.”
— POK, Nogent-sur-Seine
Three Turn-Assists on three Mazak QTN 250 lathes
The first RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 was installed on a Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 MY in November 2015. The other two followed in February 2016 on two Quick Turn Nexus 250-II M lathes. Each installation took four days, without delays or problems, on machines that stayed in production.
- Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 MY with a Turn-Assist 180
- Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250-II M with a Turn-Assist 180
- Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250-II M with a Turn-Assist 180
The result: from concern to enthusiasm
When the robots were announced, operators wondered whether they would be replaced. After installation, training and a quick start-up, that concern turned into enthusiasm: the robot proved to be an aid, intuitive and quick to program, taking over the most monotonous part of their job.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did POK automate with RoboJob?
POK in Nogent-sur-Seine, France, automated three Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 lathes, one QTN 250 MY and two QTN 250-II M, with RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 cells. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2015.
Can a Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 be automated?
Yes. POK runs RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 cells on three Mazak QTN 250 lathes. NEXTec+ Fertigungstechnik also automates three QTN 250 lathes, and Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials one. See all Mazak automation projects.
How compact can lathe automation be?
Very compact. At POK, the automation could take up no more floor space than a pallet. The RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 fits that footprint, and its safety system means no cage is needed around the cell.
Can a robot cell be installed while the machine stays in production?
Yes. At POK, each of the three RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 cells was installed in four days, without delays or problems, on Mazak lathes that remained in production.
Which French manufacturers use RoboJob automation?
POK in Nogent-sur-Seine was RoboJob’s first customer in France, in 2015. Other French references include Seco Tools in Bouxwiller, Meca Technic and FMO.