Stubbe Metaalbewerking automates five Okuma, Mazak and Hermle machines with RoboJob
Automated machines at 80% of capacity, versus 25% without automation
Stubbe Metaalbewerking automates five Okuma, Mazak and Hermle machines with RoboJob
Stubbe Metaalbewerking in Beerse, Belgium, specialises in CNC turning, milling and assembly, from single parts to series. Since 2013, it has steadily expanded its RoboJob automation to five cells on Okuma, Mazak and Hermle machines. The result: automated machines run at almost 80% of their capacity, versus 25% for machines without automation.
Key facts
- Company: Stubbe Metaalbewerking
- Location: Beerse, near Turnhout, Antwerp province, Belgium
- Founded: 1994
- Employees: approx. 20
- Industries: Subcontracting, Machine construction, Pharmaceuticals & Medical
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist (2×), Mill-Assist Essential, Pallet-Load, Tower
- CNC machine brands: Okuma, Mazak, Hermle
- Automated machines: Okuma LB 300 M, Okuma LB 3000, Okuma MU-5000, Mazak VTC-200C II, Hermle C 400
- RoboJob customer since: 2013
- Key results: automated machines at almost 80% of capacity, versus 25% without automation; peaks in production smoothed out
Precision turning and milling since 1994
Pierre Stubbe founded Stubbe Metaalbewerking in 1994 and built it from scratch into a regional supplier of precision turned and milled parts in metal, non-ferrous metals, stainless steel and plastics, as well as assemblies. Customers include general machine building and the food and pharmaceutical industries. Based in the Beerse-Zuid business park near Turnhout, Stubbe Metaalbewerking has many more CNC machines than operators, because it invests heavily in automation.
Why automate: closer to full capacity
“As an entrepreneur, you are constantly facing new challenges. Thanks to RoboJob, we have managed to smoothen the peaks in production. Our effective production is now much closer to the capacity of our machines. Theoretically, our CNC machines can run for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But of course, my employees go home in the evening. Despite that, we now manage to significantly increase the number of spindle hours with the same CNC machines. Our machines with automation run on 80% of their capacity, while for machines without automation this is only 25%.”
— Pierre Stubbe, CEO, Stubbe Metaalbewerking
Five RoboJob systems
Starting in 2013, Stubbe Metaalbewerking automated one machine after another with RoboJob, choosing the right system for each machine: Turn-Assist cells for the lathes, a Mill-Assist Essential for a vertical machining centre, a Pallet-Load for a 5-axis Hermle and a Tower for an Okuma 5-axis machining centre.
- Okuma LB 300 M with a Turn-Assist Essential
- Okuma LB 3000 with a Turn-Assist 250
- Mazak VTC-200C II with a Mill-Assist Essential
- Hermle C 400 with a Pallet-Load
- Okuma MU-5000 with a Tower
The result: 80% versus 25%
With the same CNC machines and without extra night shifts, Stubbe Metaalbewerking significantly increased its spindle hours. Machines with RoboJob automation run at almost 80% of their capacity; machines without automation reach only 25%.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Stubbe Metaalbewerking automate with RoboJob?
Stubbe Metaalbewerking in Beerse, Belgium, runs five RoboJob systems: Turn-Assist cells on an Okuma LB 300 M and an Okuma LB 3000, a Mill-Assist Essential on a Mazak VTC-200C II, a Pallet-Load on a Hermle C 400 and a Tower on an Okuma MU-5000. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2013.
Can Okuma lathes be automated?
Yes. Stubbe Metaalbewerking runs RoboJob Turn-Assist cells on an Okuma LB 300 M and an Okuma LB 3000. HP Valves and KMWE also automate Okuma machines. See all Okuma automation projects.
Can a Hermle C 400 be automated?
Yes. Stubbe Metaalbewerking automated a Hermle C 400 5-axis machining centre with a RoboJob Pallet-Load. KS Metaalwerken and IBAK automate Hermle machines with RoboJob Towers. See the Hermle automation page.
How much does automation raise machine utilisation?
At Stubbe Metaalbewerking, machines with RoboJob automation run at almost 80% of their capacity, while machines without automation reach only 25%, with the same people and without night shifts.
Which RoboJob system suits which CNC machine?
Stubbe Metaalbewerking uses four types: Turn-Assist cells on its Okuma lathes, a Mill-Assist Essential on a Mazak vertical machining centre, a Pallet-Load on a Hermle 5-axis machining centre and a Tower for long unmanned runs on an Okuma MU-5000.