Seco Tools automates two DMG Mori CTX lathes in Bouxwiller with RoboJob
Flexible automation for batches of 10, shafts and flanges alike
Seco Tools automates two DMG Mori CTX lathes in Bouxwiller with RoboJob
Seco Tools Tooling Systems in Bouxwiller, France, makes tool holding systems for the Seco Tools group. Since 2018, RoboJob has automated two DMG Mori CTX lathes there: a Racks system on a CTX gamma 2000 TC and a Pallet-Load on a CTX beta 1250 4A. Seco wanted flexible automation for batches of just 10 parts, and for shafts as well as flanges.
Key facts
- Company: Seco Tools Tooling Systems (part of Seco Tools, Sandvik group)
- Location: Bouxwiller, Alsace, France
- Founded: 1961
- Employees: approx. 155 (Bouxwiller)
- Industries: Tooling
- RoboJob products: Racks (predecessor of Pallet-Load), Pallet-Load
- CNC machine brands: DMG Mori
- Automated machines: DMG Mori CTX gamma 2000 TC, DMG Mori CTX beta 1250 4A
- RoboJob customer since: 2018
- Key results: flexible automation for batches of 10; shafts and flanges on one cell; hours of unattended production
Tool holding systems from Alsace
Seco Tools is one of the world’s largest suppliers of cutting tools and part of Sandvik Machining Solutions. In Bouxwiller, Alsace, Seco Tools Tooling Systems, founded in 1961 as EPB, develops and produces tool holding systems with around 155 people. Like RoboJob, Seco’s mission is to maximise the productivity and profitability of its customers.
Why automate: flexibility for batches of 10
“Automation is obviously nothing new at SECO Tools. We always focus on productivity, not only for our customers, but also in our own production process. […] But on this occasion we were specifically looking for automation that could provide us with more flexibility, certainly for batches of 10 pieces. This led us to RoboJob.”
— Seco Tools, Bouxwiller
Racks: hours of unattended production
Seco discovered RoboJob at a trade fair in Germany, where the Racks system caught its attention. Raw parts are placed in a metal rack, the robot loads them into the machine and places finished parts in another rack. That suits larger series and parts that are hard to stack, and depending on the cycle time, keeps the machine running unattended for hours while the operator tends another machine.
The robot can load workpieces horizontally and vertically, so it handles flanges as well as shafts. Programming is simple, and instead of a cage, a light barrier keeps the cell open, visible and accessible.
Two DMG Mori CTX lathes
The DMG Mori CTX gamma 2000 TC was delivered first, so the team could get to know the machine before RoboJob added the Racks system with a 70 kg robot in November 2018. A second cell followed: a RoboJob Pallet-Load, the successor of the Racks system, on a DMG Mori CTX beta 1250 4A.
- DMG Mori CTX gamma 2000 TC with a Racks system (predecessor of Pallet-Load)
- DMG Mori CTX beta 1250 4A with a Pallet-Load
The result: less dependent on operator availability
“The machines provide more capacity and we are less dependent on the availability of our operators. Despite the fact that we work with multiple shifts in our production area, we also want to be able to produce with fewer people or even without people at all. That is now possible with this solution from RoboJob. This robot works continuously, and everything remains stable. Even heavier pieces do not present a problem.”
— Seco Tools, Bouxwiller
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Seco Tools automate with RoboJob?
Seco Tools Tooling Systems in Bouxwiller, France, automated a DMG Mori CTX gamma 2000 TC with a RoboJob Racks system and a DMG Mori CTX beta 1250 4A with a RoboJob Pallet-Load. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2018.
Can DMG Mori CTX lathes be automated?
Yes. Seco Tools automated two DMG Mori CTX lathes with RoboJob. IBAK runs Turn-Assists on DMG Mori CTX beta lathes, and Weber-Hydraulik a Racks system on a CTX 2500. See all DMG Mori automation projects.
Can one robot cell load both shafts and flanges?
Yes. At Seco Tools, the RoboJob robot loads workpieces horizontally and vertically, so the same cell handles flanges and shafts. Heavier parts are no problem for the 70 kg robot.
What is the difference between RoboJob Racks and Pallet-Load?
The Racks system is the predecessor of the RoboJob Pallet-Load. Seco Tools runs both: a Racks system on a DMG Mori CTX gamma 2000 TC and a Pallet-Load on a CTX beta 1250 4A. VDM also uses a Racks system, on a CMZ lathe.
Can batches of 10 parts be automated?
Yes. Seco Tools chose RoboJob specifically for flexible automation of batches of 10 pieces. Platteau automates batches from 15 parts with RoboJob Towers and aims to go down to two.