Van Bussel Metaaltechniek automates a Mazak Integrex i-400S with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250
From three parts to 1,000: one robot cell for every batch
Van Bussel Metaaltechniek automates a Mazak Integrex i-400S with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250
Van Bussel Metaaltechniek in Asten, the Netherlands, is a stainless steel specialist for the food and feed industry. Since 2015, a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 with Pallet-Load and Pallet-Unload options has automated its Mazak Integrex i-400S, handling everything from three parts with long cycle times to orders of 1,000.
Key facts
- Company: Van Bussel Metaaltechniek BV
- Location: Asten, North Brabant, the Netherlands
- Founded: 1979
- Employees: approx. 100
- Industries: Subcontracting, Machine construction
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 250 with Pallet-Load and Pallet-Unload options
- CNC machine brands: Mazak
- Automated machines: Mazak Integrex i-400S
- RoboJob customer since: 2015
- Key results: diameters from 30 to 450 mm and shafts on one cell; batches from 3 to 1,000 parts; used almost every day
From a garage workshop to a stainless steel specialist
In 1979, Ton and Caroline van Bussel started the business in a garage, welding for local farmers and building livestock stalls. Close contact with customers led to stainless steel mixing tanks for feed, the first step into the food industry. Today, Van Bussel Metaaltechniek works around 90% in stainless steel, with about 100 people at three locations in Asten, between Eindhoven and Venlo. Its activities include machine building with in-house engineering, sheet metal work and machining.
Machining becomes a business of its own
The machining division first served in-house engineering, but grew into an independent business unit. In 2014, it moved into its own renovated building, with six Mazak machines. Around 80% of its turning and milling is in stainless steel, and it is known for very short delivery times. As demand from other companies grew, Van Bussel looked at automation to handle the peaks, starting with a Mazak Integrex i-400S.
Why automate: flexibility first
“For us it was important to use automation as widely as possible. By that I mean that the solution would have to be flexible enough to handle very different types of workpieces, ranging from diameters of 30 to 450 mm. Shafts should also be possible. The fact that we run both large and small batches means that the automation must be set up and reset very quickly. […] Finally, Van Bussel is a very transparent and approachable company, and we want to keep that principle in our machinery. It is therefore out of the question to provide huge casings or heavy fences.”
— Van Bussel Metaaltechniek, Asten
Why RoboJob: they understand machining
Van Bussel first saw RoboJob at the Mazak Private Show in 2013 and spoke to several suppliers. RoboJob proved the best match: its standard product was already highly capable, and RoboJob thought in terms of solutions rather than product limits, because it comes from machining itself.
A Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak Integrex i-400S
Van Bussel wanted a robot that can load anything the machine can make. It chose a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak Integrex i-400S that handles shafts as well as round parts, with Pallet-Load and Pallet-Unload options for larger runs and heavier workpieces. RoboJob mapped out every function clearly during the purchase, and the installation went smoothly.
“We could work flexibly with all the building blocks of our RoboJob automation: we could, so to speak ‘play’ with the table, with the various pallets and with the robot as well as with heavier products. With that we continually uncover new possibilities.”
— Van Bussel Metaaltechniek, Asten
The result: used almost every day
“We now use our Turn-Assist almost every day, from three or four pieces with a longer cycle time to exceptional orders of 1000 pieces.”
— Van Bussel Metaaltechniek, Asten
After the first weeks, Van Bussel hardly needed RoboJob’s service department: the cell is so easy to use that the team plans its work independently.
Watch the Van Bussel Metaaltechniek testimonial video below (in Dutch, with Dutch subtitles).
Frequently asked questions
Which machine did Van Bussel Metaaltechniek automate with RoboJob?
Van Bussel Metaaltechniek in Asten, the Netherlands, automated a Mazak Integrex i-400S with a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 with Pallet-Load and Pallet-Unload options. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2015.
Can a Mazak Integrex i-400S be automated?
Yes. Van Bussel Metaaltechniek runs a RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 on a Mazak Integrex i-400S. VM CNC-Zerspanungstechnik automated the same model with a Turn-Assist 250, and AMT Group an Integrex i-400ST with a Racks system. See all Mazak automation projects.
Can one robot cell handle both shafts and large round parts?
Yes. Van Bussel’s RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 loads shafts as well as round parts with diameters from 30 to 450 mm on a Mazak Integrex i-400S.
Can a Turn-Assist be combined with pallet loading?
Yes. Van Bussel’s Turn-Assist 250 has Pallet-Load and Pallet-Unload options, which make it suitable for larger runs and heavier workpieces as well as small batches. See the RoboJob Pallet-Load.
Is one robot cell suitable for both small and large batches?
Yes. Van Bussel uses its RoboJob Turn-Assist almost every day, from three or four parts with a long cycle time to exceptional orders of 1,000 parts, thanks to quick set-up and changeover.