Punching machine brings cartload of new technical capabilities

The latest showpiece is the TruPunch 1000 from TRUMPF. With this punching machine supplied by V.A.C. MACHINES from Bruges, OptimaT is once again closing new opportunities to provide customers with a total solution that includes not only punching but also bending, welding, powder coating, assembly, electrical engineering ... 

'Optimal satisfaction' is the mission OptimaT pursues in all its activities. In Lichtervelde, the customization company has a business area of 60,000 m² to realize that ambition. Managing director Hein Moerman: "Our roots are in Torhout, where our old name Tordale still has many connotations. Here in Lichtervelde, however, we had all the space at our disposal to grow into the 540-employee strong team we are today." The metal department is the starting point for many of the products OptimaT finishes to perfection for its customers. The focus there is on sheet metal fabrication and welding with quality and technicality as keywords in production. "Anyone who comes by here is always amazed at what we can do," Moerman says proudly. "Making products out of nothing is our strength. Cutting, powder coating, assembly and even mounting the complete electronics, we want to completely relieve customers so they can focus on their R&D and sales."

Creating added value

The machinery clearly testifies to that approach. Each investment is carefully weighed to create as much added value on the shop floor as possible. The latest addition is TRUMPF's TruPunch 1000 punching machine. "For most, sheet metal working today starts with a laser cutting machine. The punching machine is too often forgotten, yet it has undeniable strengths. We put them side by side. Pro and con. The many extra operations that the punching machine can add to the cutting work such as wire rolling, making throughs, folding small tabs and marking pieces proved decisive." Speaking is Andy Vandekerckhove, prevention consultant and head of technical services at OptimaT. The new punching machine replaces the old one, which lasted more than ten years. Back then it was also a TRUMPF, but purchased second-hand. "Technology has certainly not stood still. The quality, speed and flexibility we are now getting in its place are phenomenal. But even the old punching machine is still running in production. Surely that says something about reliability," Vandekerckhove said. 

Burr-free cut

The new TruPunch 1000 came to Lichtervelde with the necessary options. Options that had only one aspect in mind: setting the bar as high as possible in terms of quality. Vandekerckhove: "A punching machine today is a multifunctional processing center for sheets. Marking and engraving, deburring, rolling, piercing, tapping ... it is all possible up to thicknesses of 8 mm. Although for our applications, 5 mm is sufficient. We have a total of 20 tool stations on our machine that give us a wide range of possibilities for finishing according to the customer's wishes. Moreover, the quality of the cut should no longer be inferior to that of a laser. The new punching machine punches the pieces almost burr-free, which makes post-processing unnecessary. Even under a magnifying glass, you would still have difficulty distinguishing them from laser-cut materials." With the introduction of the Deltadrive on the TruPunch 1000, OptimaT is also making huge gains in speed. "The extra power and cadence that the TruPunch 3000 and 5000 still offered was not even needed. With this choice, we are already taking a big step in efficiency and capacity."

Full partners

For Moerman, OptimaT was at a tipping point for this investment. "She was needed to demonstrate even more technical diversity in what we can handle. The punching machine is never the end station here, but the starting point. It was not about how many operations we could save, but how many people we can put to work in the next steps. The machine will allow us to compete for more orders. It will undoubtedly boost our order book. With that growth in mind, we are also investing in a new 6,000-square-meter warehouse this year. That will create additional pallet spaces, but above all it will free up space in production to expand further. After all, customers are increasingly asking for stock management so that they can have products delivered on demand." The new punching machine will thus play an important role in helping shape the growth of OptimaT's metal department. Moerman is also particularly pleased with the service that comes with the machine. "What we have seen and experienced from V.A.C. MACHINES was reason to remain loyal to the brand. For example, we had the opportunity to visit TRUMPF headquarters just before the first lockdown. There our eyes were opened about the possibilities of modern sheet metal working. The best proof that we were treated as a full customer, even though we only had one machine from them," Moerman concludes.