FROM SHEET METAL WORKER TO TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER - DIVERSIFICATION SAFES SUCCESS.

mech-tron GmbH & Co. KG | RS 605 K20
Field of application: Contract manufacturing | Company headquarters: Roding, Germany | Employees: 150

Sheet metal processing is the core business of the 150-strong medium-sized company mech-tron from Roding. In order to meet the constantly growing customer requirements, one of the leading manufacturers of housing for electronics and embedded equipment has also grown in other technology areas, particularly in milling.

The success story began when the company was founded in October 2000 with CNC punching, laser and bending technology. Seventeen years later, the company generates a turnover of 14 million euros and has a broad range of technologies installed. "We started out with the manufacturer of mechanical components for the electrical industry. These have become increasingly complex over time. Today, we have 18 technologies under one roof," explains mech-tron Managing Director Wolfgang Sterkel and continues: "Today, our customers expect us to be able to offer everything from a single source." mech-tron's customers are international manufacturers of industrial computers, automation technology and industrial robots. Sheet metal processing of 0.5 to 3 mm thick parts is still the core business for the medium-sized company, but the other divisions have increasingly established themselves and have become enormously important for the strategic orientation. "The competitive pressure in our industry is very high. The technology package that we can offer sets us apart from others. Hardly anyone else can offer that," says Sterkel. The technology mix is impressive. In addition to punching, bending and laser cutting, the company also welds, mills, washes, phosphates, powder coats, paints, prints and assembles. In total, the company has mastered eighteen different technologies and work steps, all of which are interlinked.

Core expertise in milling.

Milling has become one of the most important technologies in the company. The company processes around 800 tonnes of material per year, 10 to 15 percent of which is chipped. The chipping range has developed into a real core competence. "At some point, customers requested further processing steps in addition to sheet metal processing. They wanted us to insert threads and drill holes into simple cooling brackets and heat sinks made from aluminium profiles. That's how we got into milling," explains Robert Strasser, Head of the Milling Department. Of course, it's not quite that simple. A milling machine must be able to be utilised by customer orders. However, the long-term potential of a milling machine as a supplement to punching, bending and cutting was quickly recognised at mech-tron. The MC 40 3-axis machining centre from HEDELIUS was therefore purchased early on. "It was important for us to be able to meet customer requirements," explains Managing Director Sterkel and continues: "Initially, we only did simple milling operations: thread cutting, drilling, chamfering. Over time, the requirements here have also grown. Today, customers also ask for pure milling work."

More than ten years of experience with HEDELIUS.

The fact that the purchase of the MC 40 over ten years ago was the right and important step can also be seen from the fact that today at mech-tron GmbH & Co KG alone, twenty employees work in two shifts on ten milling machines. In addition to the MC 40, a 3-axis machining centre C 60 2000 and a 5-axis machining centre RS 605 K20 from HEDELIUS are also in use. The RS 605 K20 has a fixed machine table with 1330 mm X travel path and a rotating/swivelling table with Ø 520 x 440 mm. The machines are mainly used to produce single parts and small series, with workpiece weights ranging from 0.5 kg to 35 kg and a wide variety of workpiece sizes. Most of the components are made of aluminium, although stainless steel, mild steel and non-ferrous metals are occasionally used. "We decided in favour of the RS 605 K20 because it allows all sides of a workpiece to be processed on one machine without having to reclamp. This has significantly reduced tooling times," says department head Strasser, explaining the decision in favour of the 5-axis milling machine from HEDELIUS. However, other factors were also decisive. Machining can take anywhere from one minute to over four hours per component. "At the end of the late shift, we set up a component with a long lead time and when it is finished at night, the machine goes into energy-saving mode until the early shift," says Robert Strasser. Managing Director Sterkel adds: "We have to carry out an annual energy audit and prove that we are reducing energy consumption and saving energy. That's why the Eco-Mode from HEDELIUS was also a deciding factor in favour of the RS 605."

Increased efficiency thanks to excellent surface quality.

With the 5-axis machining centre, mech-tron has even more advantages in mind. "With a modern 5-axis machining centre, we also offer our customers state-of-the-art technology. We always want to offer our customers the latest possibilities in all ranges," explains Wolfgang Sterkel. In addition to the machining centre, the company recently invested in a fibre laser. The new machines provide employees with an attractive workplace. "Our employees are very satisfied with the 5-axis milling machine, they enjoy working on it," says Strasser, Head of the Milling Department. The machining centre has also increased efficiency in production. "The surfaces of the workpieces are so good that they can be painted directly, there is no need for post-processing," says Managing Director Sterkel with satisfaction. Spindle running times have also been increased and set-up processes optimised.

Robust and durable machining centres.

The MC 40 and C60 from HEDELIUS have now been in use at mech-tron for over ten years, but both are still running perfectly. "The longevity of the machines is very similar to that of a press brake. They are not overly sensitive machines, they are very robust," says Managing Director Sterkel, convinced of the North German machining centres. This also means that downtimes are very short. Strasser adds: "We have the three machines serviced by a service technician over the course of a week. This means that the service technician only has to travel to and from the site once. The HEDELIUS service staff are highly trained and always friendly." For mech-tron GmbH & Co KG, milling has become an important pillar alongside other technologies in order to remain competitive in the fiercely contested sheet metal processing industry. This diversification is one of the medium-sized company's recipes for success.

In accordance with the demand from the market, we have tried to optimise our machining centres and adjust them to the requirements of our customers. Discover our CNC machining centres with a similar size and improved performance parameters.