Fast and quality repairs with the right machine

It caught his eye during the Machineering Network Event at Kortrijk Expo. Luc Taelman immediately realized the added value a lathe with ProtoTRAK control would have in his own workshop. After all, as a specialist in the overhaul of cylinders, it gives Caluflex Services the best of both worlds: more possibilities for more complex machining, without costing programming time. The machine was a welcome upgrade for the Caluflex Services workshop, which now also uses it to make its own parts for high-pressure cleaning systems. Crispyn Machines was responsible for the delivery.

In the south of West Flanders, no one doubts where to turn for hydraulic problems. When Luc Taelman put his passion for technology into his own business in 1993, word-of-mouth advertising did its work very quickly. The building in Moorsele was bursting at the seams after four years. "Even as a child I was fascinated by how machines are put together. Tinkering with things ... nothing more beautiful out there," Taelman says. At first he focused on maintenance work, especially on hydraulic installations, but soon he also took on high-pressure cleaner repairs and the distribution of hydraulic components. In 1997, a new building was built in Lauwe and he started pressing hydraulic flexibles. The beginning of a period of continuous growth that eventually led to his own product: Calujet, custom-made mobile high-pressure installations. "I always wanted to design machines myself. We're really pored over hydraulics here. Knowledge and experience that led us to high-pressure cleaning machines and eventually our own product." 

Deliver stucco work quickly and efficiently

Caluflex Services has since grown into a true family business. Son Joppe and daughter Jana have also joined the ranks. The philosophy of doing everything ourselves with an eye for detail is ingrained in the whole family. In addition, Caluflex Services is proud of its fast service to help customers get back to work as quickly as possible. Two strengths that require a large stock, but especially an extensive machine park that combines sheet metal work and machining under one roof. "With this, we make the pieces for Calujet as well as for maintenance work. Because everything is custom-made, however, there is little profit to be made from a CNC machine for the turning and milling work." So conventional struck the tone in the workshop. Until Taelman discovered the ProtoTRAK control system at the Crispyn Machines booth at a trade show. "The demand for repairs of hydraulic cylinders, pistons, shafts ... keeps increasing. I was looking for a way to finish more complex piecework quickly and efficiently," Taelman said.

Programmed and turned in no time

A cue for the RLX lathe that has been adorning Caluflex's workshop since last year. "With CNC machines, I would quickly spend half a day programming each piece. With ProtoTRAK's simple and Dutch-language dialogue control, even pieces with more complex operations such as rounding or taper thread cutting are now programmed in less than 15 minutes and turned with greater precision than before. Incredible what this machine can do." Although mostly unique pieces land on the new lathe, the system also remembers its programs for small recurring runs. "For us, this machine really is the perfect intermediate step between conventional and CNC machining," Taelman summarizes. The implementation also went particularly smoothly. "Supplier Crispyn, like us, places a high priority on service. A good technician, a good explanation, that was all we needed to be up and running after only half a day. And for every new operation we want to master, we can call on very insightful YouTube videos. Wonderful support," Taelman concludes.