QPM France runs its Mazak Variaxis J600 every night and weekend with a RoboJob Mill-Assist
Formerly SAS F2B Usinage, automated with RoboJob since 2018
QPM France runs its Mazak Variaxis J600 every night and weekend with a RoboJob Mill-Assist
QPM France, formerly SAS F2B Usinage, is a machining subcontractor in Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf near Dieppe, Normandy. Since 2018, a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential has been loading its Mazak Variaxis J600 five-axis machining centre, which now runs every night and every weekend.
Key facts
- Company: QPM France (Quali Precision Machinery France), formerly SAS F2B Usinage
- Location: Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf, near Dieppe, Normandy, France
- Founded: 2018
- Employees: 6
- Industries: Subcontracting
- RoboJob products: Mill-Assist Essential
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak Variaxis J600 5X
- RoboJob customer since: 2018
- Key results: Variaxis runs every night and every weekend; considerably higher output than the other machines
From F2B Usinage to QPM France
The company started as SAS F2B Usinage, a small subcontractor specialising in one-off parts, with regular small and medium-sized series as well. Today, the business operates as QPM France (Quali Precision Machinery France) from the same industrial estate, ZA de l’Aubinière in Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf, in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy.
One reason to automate: more spindle hours
For F2B Usinage, the reason to automate was simple: more spindle hours from its five-axis machines.
“We have a very simple reason to automate: we wanted to get more spindle hours from our 5-axis machines. After all, more spindle hours also mean a higher return, which is always welcome in a competitive, international market.”
— F2B Usinage, now QPM France
In its search for automation, F2B came into contact with RoboJob through Degomme Boccard, the dealer that supplied its new Mazak.
The solution: a Mill-Assist Essential on a Mazak Variaxis J600
In 2018, RoboJob installed a Mill-Assist Essential M20 together with a new Mazak Variaxis J600 5X five-axis machining centre. The Mill-Assist’s intuitive interface makes it easy to operate, and its Revolving Unit proved especially useful on the five-axis machine.
The robot takes over the physical work of loading and unloading. For the operators, it is like having an assistant at the machine, and they were keen to start working with the new technology.
The result: every night and every weekend
The target was set high from the start: the new Variaxis had to run every night and every weekend. That goal was reached.
“The target was immediately set high: we wanted our new Variaxis to run every night and every weekend. And I now can state that we also succeeded in that. Of course the output of this machine is considerably higher when I compare it to our other machines. Thus - Mission Accomplished!”
— F2B Usinage, now QPM France
Frequently asked questions
Is QPM France the former F2B Usinage?
Yes. QPM France (Quali Precision Machinery France) is the current name of the former SAS F2B Usinage, a machining subcontractor in Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf, Normandy. It has been a RoboJob customer since 2018.
Which machine did QPM France automate with RoboJob?
QPM France, formerly F2B Usinage, automated a Mazak Variaxis J600 5X five-axis machining centre with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential in 2018. The machine runs every night and every weekend.
Can a Mazak Variaxis J600 be automated with a robot?
Yes. RoboJob automated a Mazak Variaxis J600 with a Mill-Assist Essential at QPM France in Normandy and at Biezepol in the Netherlands. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can a five-axis machining centre run unmanned every night and weekend?
Yes. At QPM France, a Mazak Variaxis J600 5X with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential runs every night and every weekend, with considerably higher output than the company’s other machines.
Which French manufacturers use RoboJob Mill-Assist?
In France, RoboJob Mill-Assist runs at QPM France in Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf on a Mazak Variaxis J600, at FMO on a Mazak CV5-500, at Meca Technic on a Quaser and a Hedelius, and at USIDUC.