Spindle time maximized:
14 additional production hours daily

Schöbel Hermann CNC-Frästechnik GmbH…

is the preferred choice for many renowned machining companies, particularly for prototypes and series of 1 to 10,000 parts. This reputation has only grown since Johannes Seilbeck and Martin Herzog took over the company from its founder. Recognizing the potential to transform a small gem into something bigger, they saw the value of digital automation.

Before Automation…

Only five employees worked in production, and despite their extensive experience and expertise in the medical technology, mechanical engineering, and consumer industries, they were limited by capacity. The spindle of the 5-axis machining center MIKRON HEM 500 U was only 75% utilized and remained idle for 18 hours a day. The challenge was to double spindle hours without hiring additional staff.

The Solution…

Upon taking over the company, the first robot was introduced—marking the beginning of a technological leap that the previous owner had neither considered feasible nor dared to implement.

The existing MIKRON HEM 500 U machine was in no way prepared for automation. It lacked an automation interface and a door drive, and there were no free media channels on the 4th and 5th axes, which would have been required to operate a pneumatic or hydraulic clamping device. Retrofitting by the original machine manufacturer was not an option due to lead time and costs. SHERPA provided a complete, one-stop solution with the SherpaLoader® M20, equipped with an electric spindle drive, along with an electric door automation and a robot interface. This allowed the existing clamping technology to be seamlessly integrated into the automation, retaining proven machining parameters, making the transition to automation smooth. Automation now begins with batch sizes of just 10 parts, and due to its robust operation, it ends at series of 50,000 parts per year.

Within a year, the effective spindle time increased from 6 to over 20 hours per day. The automation even ran without staff for several weekends. Schöbel is a perfect example that even small companies can automate and significantly enhance their competitiveness.

Johannes Seilbeck, Managing Director:

“The robot has more than doubled revenue of our automated cnc machine. This is both a success and a motivation for us. That’s why we’ve just invested in a new machining center from HERMLE—and another SherpaLoader.”