SOVAIC automates a Mazak Integrex 400-IV S and a Mazak CV5-500 with RoboJob
Machined plastic parts: more output, less damage, better ergonomics
SOVAIC automates a Mazak Integrex 400-IV S and a Mazak CV5-500 with RoboJob
SOVAIC in Abbeville, France, machines technical plastic parts, from prototypes to large series. As batches grew smaller and more varied, SOVAIC automated with RoboJob: a Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak Integrex 400-IV S and a Pallet-Load on a Mazak CV5-500. The result: more output, less damage to plastic parts and better ergonomics for the operators.
Key facts
- Company: SOVAIC
- Location: Abbeville, Somme, France
- Founded: 1964
- Employees: approx. 40
- Industries: Plastic parts, Subcontracting
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 250, Pallet-Load
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak Integrex 400-IV S, Mazak CV5-500
- RoboJob customer since: 2018
- Key results: installed and operators trained in less than a week; more output; less damage to plastic parts; better ergonomics
Plastics specialists since 1964
SOVAIC has specialised in plastic materials since 1964, and in 1994 it added machining. Today, it trades in plastic materials and manufactures technical industrial parts in a very wide range of thermoplastics, from prototyping to mass production. SOVAIC regularly invests in its machine park, including in automation.
Why automate: more variety, smaller batches
“As a company, we have to evolve according to the needs of our customers. We notice that we’re making more and more different components for our customers, but in increasingly smaller numbers. It then becomes of key importance to be able to adjust our machines quickly, but the output of each machine too is becoming increasingly important. The spindle is idle during the changeover, and we have to avoid that as much as possible. That’s why we decided to automate our machinery.”
— SOVAIC, Abbeville
Why RoboJob: easy and quick to set up
Through its machine supplier, Degomme-Boccard, SOVAIC came into contact with RoboJob.
“We got to know their products and were highly impressed with the operation of their robots. This is always extremely easy and quick to set up. This is key for us, as we have to be able to switch quickly from one series to the other. In addition, we can somewhat relieve the physical work of our operators and improve their ergonomic working conditions.”
— SOVAIC, Abbeville
An older Mazak, automated in less than a week
SOVAIC first automated its Mazak Integrex 400-IV S with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250. Although the machine was a little older, it already had an automatic door and a robot interface, so the installation went smoothly: in less than a week, the robot was running and the operators were trained. SOVAIC later added a RoboJob Pallet-Load on a Mazak CV5-500.
- Mazak Integrex 400-IV S with a Turn-Assist 250
- Mazak CV5-500 with a Pallet-Load
The result: more output, less damage
“Since then, the Turn-Assist has been fully integrated into the machine park and into our processes. The operators like to work with it and use it as much as possible, both during the day, at night and during the weekend. We notice that we’ve not only increased the output on the Integrex but we’ve improved the ergonomics for our operators. We also have less damage to our components because they’re unloaded by the robot. Since we work with plastic, it’s not easy to avoid damage, but using the Turn-Assist we succeed perfectly.”
— SOVAIC, Abbeville
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did SOVAIC automate with RoboJob?
SOVAIC in Abbeville, France, runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak Integrex 400-IV S and a RoboJob Pallet-Load on a Mazak CV5-500. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2018.
Can machining of plastic parts be automated?
Yes. SOVAIC machines technical parts in a wide range of thermoplastics and automated two Mazak machines with RoboJob. Bopla also automates the machining of plastic enclosures. See CNC automation for plastic parts machining.
Can an older CNC machine be automated?
Yes. SOVAIC’s Mazak Integrex 400-IV S was a little older, but already had an automatic door and a robot interface, so the RoboJob Turn-Assist was running in less than a week. Where these are missing, RoboJob can retrofit them, as at Jehle CNC.
Can a Mazak CV5-500 be automated?
Yes. SOVAIC runs a RoboJob Pallet-Load on a Mazak CV5-500. Kammerer MedTec and Depoortere do the same. See all Mazak automation projects.
Does a robot reduce damage to sensitive parts?
Yes. Plastic parts are easily damaged. At SOVAIC, unloading by the RoboJob Turn-Assist has reduced damage to components, while also improving the ergonomics for its operators.