Faster, better, more sustainable: new laser cutting machine scores

At Het Veer they like to produce everything as much as possible under one roof and thus bring the entire production chain around medium voltage as one integrated story. Within the group, Femaco is responsible for sheet metal working. It has relied on Mazak cutting technology for 35 years. For the first time there, they are now tasting the speed of a fiber laser source, so that one machine can now do the work of two.

Femaco is part of Het Veer. A group of companies that grew organically from the Deba installation company that Rik Vandoorne founded in '79. "Over the years we have gone further and further in vertical integration. As a result, today Het Veer can produce everything involved in medium voltage installations under one roof. From components to panel building and automation, and even the concrete enclosures that house high-voltage cabinets," says Het Veer CEO Sophie Vandoorne. 

The name of the holding company also has a nice bit of company history attached to it. After all, in days gone by, the family provided a ferry on the banks of the Lys. "An idea that continues to live on. Even today, we still want to be bridge builders and bring people closer together, regardless of the sector, by offering the right technical solutions and finishing to perfection for our customers."

Speed and flexibility 

Sheet metal working within Het Veer is done by Femaco. "Most of the turnover today still comes from within the group. The intention is to continue to grow externally in the coming years. By opting for our own machinery with sufficient capacity instead of cooperating with suppliers, we give ourselves every opportunity to make that happen. The lightning bolt in our logo represents the speed with which we help customers. In addition, we are creating internal flexibility for our R&D team to make quick work of prototypes." In addition to sheet metal working machines, Femaco has a welding shop and a lathe and milling machine to finish specific pieces on. 

From CO2 to fiber, from two to one

Until recently, cutting was done with a CO2 laser cutting machine. "Outdated, but enormously stable until the last gasp," says production manager Hans Clauwaert. Reason enough to choose the same supplier again, because the previous four laser cutting machines from Mazak also proved their services excellently. But this time with fiber source. "We are mainly in the thin segment: 2, 3 and 4 mm are the most common sheet thicknesses that pass through here. The gain in speed we can grab with a fiber laser is so great that we now have enough on one machine to take over the work of two older installations." 

It became the Nexus 3015 with 4 kW of power. "Not even the fastest Mazak laser cutting machine yet, but one that excels in flexibility and ergonomics. We can switch more easily between series. All the steps to take such as nozzle cleaning and calibration are done automatically, so changeover times are limited. And thanks to the side door, we easily add one more piece for R&D. Just what we needed," says Clauwaert. 

Double tower with seventeen cassettes

The machine arrived in October 2021. The speed obviously stands out, but in addition, Clauwaert notes lower energy and maintenance costs. "Because of the much higher cutting rate, we don't even have to fully utilize the capacity yet, because the control system is designed to allow us to continue working unmanned after working hours." 

The old FMS also had to make way for a brand new automation solution. There came, in function of the height of the building, a double tower with a total of seventeen cassettes. "The intention was to have the machine well in hand before the automation came. But it was delayed and was finished in June of last year. Fortunately, we could count on Mazak as a partner. They did not rest until the installation was completely delivered to our satisfaction. That's what you want from a partner. A partner we have worked with for 35 years, by the way."

Sustainable solutions

Again, at Femaco, they are absolutely wild about the results. "The machine cuts to much tighter tolerances. That means we now have less rejects and better, continuous quality, which in turn pays off when assembling the cut pieces. Finishing is becoming increasingly important anyway. Each piece is therefore given a unique code on the laser for perfect traceability. But we can also finish them with our flatbed printer to personalize them for customers. An extra that is increasingly in demand. And something we can enjoy ourselves. The Mazak and the tower are in our company colors," concludes Vandoorne. ■