Eye for precision in metal and plastic

Rough diamonds abound in Belgium. Diametal is one of them, a company whose eye for precision makes the difference in fine mechanical work. With a lot of know-how about the manufacturability of pieces, but also a machine park that has been built up in such a way as to offer customers a particularly wide range of possibilities. For all turning work, Diametal looks to Mazak. The accuracy of the machines, the user-friendly control and the excellent technical support always prove decisive.

For more than five centuries, Antwerp may call itself the diamond capital of the world. It led to a flourishing diamond industry around Herentals, where a lot of polishing work was done. In that niche Diametal found its origin, with the production of tools for polishing diamonds. Manual work that began to move more and more eastward since the 1970s. 

"In the early 1970s, we changed our sights from shoulder to shoulder and started manufacturing and repairing machine parts. It was a matter of adapting to survive," says business owner Jan Reijnaers. The eye for precision that Diametal demands remained. Diametal resolutely opted for fine mechanical precision work. "Because there really was a future for it, also in Belgium. When it comes to components with crucial dimensions, companies like to choose a local partner."

Flexibility trumps

Diametal's customers are extremely diverse and come knocking on the door in Herentals for turning, milling, wire EDM and surface grinding in metals and plastics. Machine builders who want small series of complex parts. Maintenance technicians who want their parts repaired quickly. But also R&D engineers who count on Diametal's expertise to help engineer and build their prototypes and new products. 

"Flexibility is the key word in our business. You have to add value to your customers by giving them the service and support in what they are looking for. We always go to great lengths to help our customers. People remember that." To that end, Reijnaers counts on the know-how of his 25 employees, both at the computer and at the machines. In addition, he can count on a carefully composed machine park. Diversity trumps opportunity.

Excellent technical support

When Reijnaers took over the company in 2005, Mazak was already represented on the shop floor. "Our programmers/setters just love working with it because the control is extremely user-friendly and at the same time you can get a lot out of it," he says. Even the most recent Smooth control retains the basic features of older Fusion and Matrix controls, so they feel right at home with it." For Reijnaers, the fact that many Mazak machines have since been added has everything to do with the excellent value for money and technical support. "If something happens, you want to be back up and running as quickly as possible. We can't afford delays. From Mazak we can rely on spare parts arriving on time and technicians having the right luggage. We have two machine suppliers who excel in this, Mazak being one of them. Moreover, they are also completely up to speed with all technical developments."

Accurate, even with large pieces

The most recent acquisition is the Integrex e-1600V/10. "Being able to combine turning and milling in one fixture is really the new trend. The Integrex excels in this, can work five-axis simultaneously and gives us the ability to machine pieces up to two meters in diameter. Larger pieces, but with the accuracy expected of us. The tolerances are really good on this machine." It was also equipped with a pallet change system. "As far as automation goes, I held off the boat for a long time. But the employees I have running here are too high quality to let them do repetitive work. All change is difficult, but the production manager pulled the cart with me. The operators can now program and operate the robot themselves. Every machine added now is at least prepared for automation." 

With the Integrex e-1600V/10, the automation solution was implemented from delivery. "Thanks to the pallet changer, the machine does not have to stand still throughout the day. The pieces are already stretched and prepared ready, so it can get back to work immediately. Productivity at its best."