URMA automates two Mazak lathes and a Doosan Lynx with RoboJob Turn-Assist
Small batches, set up in minutes
URMA automates two Mazak lathes and a Doosan Lynx with RoboJob Turn-Assist
URMA in Sentheim, in France’s Alsace region, is a subcontractor for precision machining and assembly. As its batches grew smaller, URMA automated with RoboJob: since 2019, three Turn-Assist cells load two Mazak lathes and a Doosan Lynx. Set-up takes just minutes, and production carries on in the evening, at night and at weekends.
Key facts
- Company: URMA Usinage SARL
- Location: Sentheim, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France
- Founded: 1985
- Employees: approx. 10
- Industries: Subcontracting, Automotive, Energy (petrochemical)
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist (3×: Turn-Assist 180, Turn-Assist 270 2×)
- CNC machine brands: Mazak, DN Solutions (Doosan)
- Automated machines: Mazak QTN 250 MSY, Mazak QT 350 MSY, Doosan Lynx 2100 LMS
- RoboJob customer since: 2019
- Key results: installed in four days; set-up in minutes for small batches; production continues in the evening, at night and at weekends
Precision mechanics since 1985
Founded in 1985 and based in Sentheim since 2000, URMA is a family business specialised in precision mechanics: milling, turning, welded assemblies, assembly, painting and surface treatment. It takes its customers from part production and assembly to finished products, for a broad clientele, mainly in the automotive and petrochemical industries.
Why automate: smaller batches, more pleasant work
“URMA SARL is a subcontractor par excellence. We manufacture a range of very diverse mechanical parts. While we produced relatively large series in the past, the size of the latter has decreased significantly over the years. Today we mainly produce small series, a job that is rarely interesting for our operators, so to make their life a bit more pleasant, we decided to take a closer look at the possibilities of automation.”
— URMA, Sentheim
Why RoboJob: simple, like Mazak
URMA first saw RoboJob at a trade fair, on a Mazak Integrex, and was struck by the simplicity of the control software. Having worked with Mazak machines for years, URMA recognised the same philosophy: simple and intuitive. That Mazak works with RoboJob gave URMA extra confidence.
Three Turn-Assist cells
In January 2019, URMA automated its Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250 MSY with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 270, installed and running in just four days. Two more Turn-Assist cells followed:
- Mazak QTN 250 MSY with a Turn-Assist 270
- Mazak QT 350 MSY with a Turn-Assist 270
- Doosan Lynx 2100 LMS with a Turn-Assist 180
The result: small batches, fast
“The implementation of our robot has led to a significant improvement in the continuity of our production. After all, a robot does not need breaks. We use it two or three times a day for small batches. Because setting up and adjusting our robot only takes a few minutes, it’s almost immediately put back into operation. The operator can then perform other tasks. Consequently, the much faster execution of our small batches has had a positive effect on our profit.”
— URMA, Sentheim
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did URMA automate with RoboJob?
URMA in Sentheim, France, runs three RoboJob Turn-Assist cells: Turn-Assist 270 cells on a Mazak QTN 250 MSY and a Mazak QT 350 MSY, and a Turn-Assist 180 on a Doosan Lynx 2100 LMS. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2019.
Can a Doosan Lynx lathe be automated?
Yes. URMA runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 180 on a Doosan Lynx 2100 LMS. Buyse Metal Works Group and GN Rope Fittings automate Doosan Puma lathes. See all DN Solutions automation projects.
Can a Mazak Quick Turn 250 MSY be automated?
Yes. URMA automated a Mazak QTN 250 MSY with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 270, installed and running in four days. POK and NEXTec+ Fertigungstechnik each automate three QTN 250 lathes. See all Mazak automation projects.
Is a robot cell worthwhile for small batches?
Yes. URMA mainly produces small series and uses its RoboJob cells two or three times a day. Setting up the robot takes only a few minutes, so small batches run much faster, which has had a positive effect on profit.
Which French subcontractors use RoboJob Turn-Assist?
In France, RoboJob Turn-Assist cells run at subcontractors such as URMA in Alsace, POK, Puget Production Mécanique and Boton-Merlet.