The automotive and aerospace industries place the highest demands on quality and reliability. The tools and molds from Schnetz Formenbau must also meet these requirements. "The individual customer orders are very complex, the precision requirements are consistently high and, in addition, short delivery times are becoming increasingly important," says plant manager Bernd Schneider, explaining the day-to-day business. In order to complete each project in the best possible way, the range of services begins with consulting activities during the development phase. "We also benefit from a high level of vertical integration and flexible production."

As good as the economic developments in the target markets are, only consistent rationalization measures ensure long-term competitiveness. "We are also countering increasing price pressure with more productive production," says Waldemar Marx, Deputy Plant Manager. In other words, Schnetz invests in high-performance, efficient machines and utilizes them to the maximum. In 2017, the company found what it was looking for at DMG Mori and installed a DMU 125 MonoBlock for steel machining in addition to a CMX 800 V as a capacity expansion for vertical milling.

Plenty of space for steel

"With its large work area, the MonoBlock covers 80 percent of our steel components," says Waldemar Marx, explaining one of the reasons for the purchase. Travels of 1,335 x 1,250 x 900 mm and a load capacity of 2,500 kg in 5-axis machining are the key factors here. The DMU 125 MonoBlock is therefore also suitable for large and complex molds: "With the C-axis deactivated, we can even load the table with 3,500 kg," adds Bernd Schneider.

Further decision criteria were the high dynamics and precision of the DMU 125 MonoBlock. Marx explains: "The more precisely the machine mills, the less reworking is required." This also contributes to productivity due to the shorter overall process. The reliability of the machine also plays an important role in terms of high capacity utilization. The DMG Mori technology cycle MPC 2.0, the Machine Protection Control, is therefore an essential equipment feature, says Bernd Schneider: "Thanks to the vibration monitoring and rapid machine shutdown in the event of a crash, we can avoid tool breakages and thus increase machine availability."

In the event of damage, the high machine availability naturally also depends on the service. "If necessary, DMG Mori's service technicians are quickly on the spot and spare parts are also delivered within 24 hours." With its technical features and ease of operation, the DMU 125 MonoBlock quickly proved to be the ideal addition to Schnetz Formenbau's machine park. "It expands our capacities and is optimally designed for steel processing," says Bernd Schneider, assessing the investment.

Into the future with modern production

With its large work area, the DMU 125 monoBlock covers 80 percent of the steel components in Schnetz Formenbau's day-to-day production. (Pictures: DMG Mori)

The ratio between the overall package and the purchase price is absolutely fair. Thanks to the positive business development, he expects further growth: "We have almost doubled our workforce since the takeover by HFM and we will also expand our production area sooner or later." This will also be accompanied by further acquisitions in production. "As we will then also be investing in modern production, DMG Mori will once again be on the shortlist." cs

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