If it really has to be accurate

Whoever says mold making, says precision. A discipline that requires craftsmanship and reliable, precise machines. Cafmeyer unites the two in its workshop in Kortemark. The company not only puts its eye for detail at the disposal of customers for mold making, but has also built itself a considerable reputation in turning and milling work. When it really has to be precise, even in large or complex pieces.

From blacksmithing to turning and milling. It's a step that a lot of metal companies have taken. It is also the beginning of the story for Cafmeyer of Kortemark, which went one step further. Indeed, since 1980, the family business has been focusing on mold making. "Because there was little competition in the region and because that meticulous pursuit of accuracy particularly fascinated me. It's a discipline of its own because it involves single pieces that, in order to remain profitable, you also have to deliver correctly in one go," recalls Roland Cafmeyer, who took the helm after father and grandfather Jan and Valère. A discipline in which the Kortemark-based Cafmeyer also appeared to excel. Something that had not escaped the Vergalle Group, the investment firm behind Avasco Industries. As Cafmeyer's largest customer, they did not want to let the in-house knowledge and experience go to waste when there appeared to be no successor. Since 2019, the company has belonged to the group.

Belgian first with arrival of large five-axle truck

It was immediately the signal for a major round of investment. Three new machines have already been installed on the shop floor at Cafmeyer. "With each time extensive automation as a starting point," says managing director Jan Van Houtte. "Because it is becoming increasingly difficult to find technically skilled personnel." In June of this year, the provisional icing on the cake followed. With the arrival of the Hermle C-650-U with pallet system, Cafmeyer even signed up for a Belgian first. "Five-axis machining was already in our fingers here, but it is the first five-axis machine of that dimension on the shop floor. It should provide additional capacity. The machine has a reach of 1,050 x 900 x 600 mm and, with a magazine of no less than 130 tools and 15 pallets of workpieces, it can work completely autonomously. The idea is that it can independently run an extra shift at night and on weekends. A high-quality machine is crucial here, because it must be able to maintain the precision that you strive for even after years," summarizes plant manager Frederik Deneire. The operators were closely involved in the purchasing process. "They especially praised its user-friendliness, stability and excellent crash monitoring."

Synergy between companies

That it just added a five-axle unit should come as no surprise. After all, Cafmeyer wants to continue down the path of precision and flawless finishing, even in the most complex pieces. In mold making, but also in subcontracting work for third parties. "The intention is to further build up the share of turnover from milling in the long run," Van Houtte said. "In addition, we want to enter the international market more with our molds. After all, the quality that comes from the machines here should be seen. And being part of a strong and already internationally operating group puts that within reach. There is a strong synergy between the different companies, which makes us all stronger." Meanwhile, the machinery Cafmeyer has accumulated on the shop floor can be called particularly impressive. Wire and zinc EDMs and surface grinders are indispensable in mold making. But in addition, the company can also handle larger milling work up to 3.5 m.

Also precision in more complex and larger work

In any case, with the new Hermle C-650-U, Cafmeyer seems well armed to ensure itself a bright future. "With this machinery we can build more complex molds as well as mill and turn larger pieces, with still our same eye for detail. These are machines on which we can trust that 1 µm is indeed 1 µm. We want to maintain that quality and accuracy in everything we do," says Deneire. To continue growing in the coming years, the company, which today has about fifteen employees, is also looking for additional people. "Both at the machines and at the drawing board. After all, we also sit down with our customer to optimize mold designs. Co-engineering is becoming increasingly important. In addition, we are already looking into how we can expand. The machine floor is now full. So the next step will be finding new premises."