Simplicity and ease of use, from single pieces to series

Metafox specializes in the industrial supply of simple to complex tubular products. Expertise it uses to make hospitality and street furniture, but which it also puts at the service of other companies. The company from Ardooie tries to produce as much as possible under one roof. Smart and automated. The tool shop has also recently taken this route. There, the XYZ TMC was introduced with ProtoTRAK control. A three-in-one machine to apply the most efficient production method for each piece.

The tool shop has long been the domain of manager Geert Truyaert. For a while yet, because soon a well-deserved retirement beckons. "The biggest change here within production was the replacement of the punching machines with tube lasers. With these, we could now completely finish pieces in one setup." A landslide for the tool shop, which henceforth had to focus not on punching dies, but primarily on welding jigs. 

In addition, control calibers and specific tooling are designed and produced. "We can do both digital design and physical production in-house. And that is a huge advantage," Truyaert assures. Until recently, this was done purely with conventional turning and milling. "Because we start from scratch for every piece. When a customer comes knocking with a new product, we build the welding mold exactly to those specifications."

More opportunities for more complex work

Yet here, too, automation could not be avoided. "We saw the complexity increasing all the time. For certain pieces, we were turning hand wheels more than actually machining. So we were inquiring for a machine that could give us a little more capability, to also get more challenging work done quickly." Truyaert had done his homework and knew very well what he wanted. "My experience with CNC controls dates back thirty years. So on the wish list was a machine in which simplicity and user-friendliness take precedence, so that it pays to work with it even for single pieces. The ProtoTRAK control was able to meet this entirely."

Conventional or controlled - it's all possible

Decisive in the decision: the presence of handwheels. "No other supplier could offer that. That way we can also still work conventionally with the same machine for simple pieces or quick manual adjustments." In addition, Truyaert had a very good feeling about supplier Crispyn Machines. "A company that breathes machining technology. You notice that right away. For the slightest problem you can call them and you are already helped out of a jam on the phone. In a very friendly but at the same time extremely professional way."

Finish in one go thanks to tool magazine

Metafox chose the new TMC from XYZ. "Just because occasionally some repetitive work does pass. For example, we also do some drilling work for production pieces. These are series of 400 pieces. We have already done the post calculation. We had already recouped the clamping jig after the first series. And what's more, the quality is a bit higher. They are already ogling at our newcomer here from production," Truyaert says with a wink. A second asset of the TMC turned out to be the presence of a tool magazine. "So that we can make several operations at once. Speed may not prevail here, but it is an absolute necessity to be able to finish pieces in one go. To accuracy and to efficiency."

Save time

The arrival of the new machine immediately ushered in a new élan. For it was given a place in the new workshop. "Due to the many changes in production, we were no longer optimally positioned. When this space became available, I immediately saw the added value, right next to the welding department and with a two large gates for the supply of materials. A logical flow that saved us time. The new machine of Crispyn fits perfectly in that picture," concludes Truyaert.