Program and produce parts faster and easier with the right software

Digitalization and automation are crucial links in today's supply industry. For example, Mervers (Zwijndrecht) invested in the TopSolid'Cam software package about a year ago. This allows it to draw simple and more complex machine parts faster and more accurately and to control the machines on the shop floor. The leading manufacturer and distributor of agitators and supplier of machine parts did not take this decision lightly. He compared different programs and screened the software houses.

Mervers was founded in 1945 as a subcontractor for the port industry, but over the years the management continued to expand the business. Since Bruno Segers took over the company in 1994, he has continued to invest continuously. Thus, the position on the world market for proprietary agitators and in the Benelux as distributor of the well-known Chemineer brand was strengthened. The company also built a reputation as an innovative supply company for the Belgian manufacturing industry. 

"We strongly believe in digitization and automation to improve our production processes and grow further. For the production of agitators, we already had our own software and calculation sheets for some time," says senior applications engineer Niels Segers. "Together with our operators, we were now looking for a suitable CAM software package to further optimize the production of machine parts. The program had to allow us to read and edit customer drawings faster, as well as simplify the production of more complex parts."

Choice of package and software house

The Mervers team proceeded very thoroughly. After studying the available solutions, they invited several software partners. During these talks, the operators asked very specific questions regarding the functionalities. Several companies already working with the software packages were asked about their experiences. Then the software houses were screened with a view to continuity in the future. In the end, they chose TopSolid'Cam. The operators worked closely with TOPSOLID Belgium's specialists to fine-tune the software down to the smallest details, and received thorough training during commissioning.

"Initially, the CAM package was used to program and produce some standard parts. We have been working with TopSolid'Cam for about a year now, and our operators are also starting to work out more complex parts with the software. After all, by using the software, they start trying more and more things. If they run into a problem, they can contact TOPSOLID Belgium with their questions," says Niels Segers. "Thanks to this investment, we save a lot of time in preparation and production. We combine our operators' years of experience in milling operations with an intelligent software that supports them. For example, suggestions are made as to how a workpiece can be milled. This allows us to increase efficiency and productivity while improving the quality of our products. We are therefore very satisfied with TopSolid'Cam and the specialized support."