In line with the Starrag claim "Engineering precisely what you value", Schmedthenke thus received a machine with all the features they wanted exactly when they needed it. This meant it went into reliable operation four weeks after setup, precisely when the Droop+Rein FOG 2500 was due to be shut down. The machine wasn't pre-assembled at the Starrag factory in Bielefeld, but built from the ground up in Gütersloh and put into operation. The mechanical structure was so accurate that only the smallest of optimisations to the geometry was necessary. "The machine geometry was almost faultless immediately after setup", says Schmedthenke happily. "And with a lot of other manufacturers, the geometry can't really be assessed, because their machines have to be significantly adjusted straight away."The East Westphalia-based company is now using the second machine purely for smoothing. "With an additional drive, we could also use it for roughing", emphasises the qualified engineer. "But because of our two-machine strategy, we've decided to employ a machine just for smoothing. The precision needed in toolmaking can only be achieved by roughing on one machine and smoothing on another."

For quality reasons, the company from Gütersloh does not conduct all of the machining in one clamping operation. During roughing, so much heat is transferred into the component that its geometry changes. Schmedthenke: "If I were to start smoothing immediately, the dimensions would 'run away' from me as the component cooled." 

In order for tools — for example for the outer shell of vehicles — to achieve milled perfection, Schmedthenke allows large components to cool off and "relax" for two to three days after roughing before they move on to smoothing. "It means we have to work quickly today, but it's only if we allow the tool a couple of days' rest that we will achieve the desired level of precision" explains the specialist. "And the benefit of this precision can be seen in the short training period needed for the press."