CNC lathe and milling machine help with maintenance of and parts production for blasting machines

When a traditional family manufacturing company is satisfied with its machinery, innovation is usually not considered. But when the younger generation takes its first steps in the firm, often the time has come to invest in more modern machinery. This was no different at Bagumec. The specialist in the maintenance and sale of blasting machines and the production of machine parts with a workshop in Oordegem took the step from conventional machines to CNC machines. In addition to a plasma cutting machine and bending machine, this family business also invested in two ProtoTRAK CNC machine tools: an RLX 555×1750 lathe and an RMX 5000 bed milling machine, both supplied by Crispyn Machines. 

Bagumec has been specializing in the maintenance of throw blasting machines and free blasting halls for surface treatment for over twenty years. The family business produces a range of spare parts for the most diverse range of blasting machines and also keeps them constantly in stock. Finally, customers can go there for the purchase of new blasting machines, mainly of the brands STEM, Contracor and Mec Shot, as well as for the supply and service of screw compressors up to a power of 90 kW. "For a long time, our workshop only contained conventional machines, but when the younger generation joined the company, they were able to convince me to take the step to CNC-controlled machine tools. So first we bought a new plasma cutting machine and a bending machine," says manager Bart De Smet. "The next in line was a lathe, but here we had to consider whether we should opt for a CNC or a teach-in machine. After all, with us it's not so much about large series, but mainly piecework, so we need to be able to switch flexibly."

CNC controlled turning and milling machines

The search for a suitable solution brought them to Crispyn in Maldegem. During a demonstration, they were immediately convinced by Jan Crispyn's technical knowledge, but especially by the quality of the ProtoTRAK CNC machines and their easy programming. They finally chose an RLX 555×1750 lathe, which weighs 4.1 tons and can handle just about any job. This system has a maximum turning diameter of 560 mm for workpieces up to 1,750 mm in length. The main spindle has a variable speed between 30 and 1,800 revolutions per minute and a passage of 104 mm. "The people at Crispyn would teach us how to work with the machine in a few hours. We didn't have to know anything about CNC, just the basics of conventional machining was enough. I did have my reservations about that beforehand. But the machine really was so easy to work with that everything just sort of came naturally. Today, we still sometimes have to search for the execution of certain jobs, but everything works perfectly," De Smet continues. "So when we wanted to invest in a CNC-controlled milling machine, the choice for Crispyn was quickly made. We bought a three-axis RMX 5000 bed milling machine with displacements of 1,524, 596 and 584 mm on the X, Y and Z axes respectively. This machine is equipped with a table of 1,935 by 356 mm for pieces up to 850 kg and has a spindle with a programmable speed of up to 5,000 rpm. Both the lathe and bed milling machine came with a sliding guard and the ProtoTRAK control."

Ready for the future

At Bagumec, they have never regretted the move to CNC with the ProtoTRAK machines. This way they are ready for years of quality maintenance and service as well as the production of parts for blasting machines. "We have left the conventional machine in place. The lathe is still used occasionally for machining pieces over 2 m long. However, we haven't needed the milling machine anymore," De Smet concludes. "We currently have no more space for new machines and everything is also close together, but the move to a location three times the size of this workshop should change that. We are also looking for technically skilled employees. That's no easy task these days, but having modern machinery always makes your business a little more attractive anyway."