A "passion for new ideas" has made Windmöller & Hölscher a global market leader. The company — which is a manufacturer of systems for producing and processing flexible packaging based in Westphalia — also expects a high level of passion and innovation from its machine tool suppliers. The Starrag Group is proud therefore that the Westphalian "packaging artist" has once again opted for their machine tool.
"It’s like being at a luxury watchmaking firm", says an astonished Ralf Baumgarten, a photographer who has made his name with illustrated books about watchmakers and their creations. He spontaneously takes a photograph of Heinz Schantin. The specialist from Windmöller & Hölscher KG (W&H) from Lengerich is using a large magnifying glass to examine the surface of a part for an extrusion line, on which extremely thin plastic films will later be created. W&H adopts this type of quality control in advance of the conventional 3D image processing. However, the final checks on these machine parts involve the use of precise, high-tech measuring centres.
And the demands on production technology are equally high. "The machine tools at W&H are a central component of our production chain", states Matthias Richter, Head of Maintenance. "We exclusively manufacture complex components that require a very high level of accuracy and knowledge of manufacturing." Most of the machine tools run around the clock in 3-shift operation, to ensure a good supply of parts for the assembly of W&H machines. So when it comes to new investments, reliability, maximum technical availability and fast, excellent service are crucial deciding factors.
As an example, the business is very satisfied with the portal machining centre from Droop+Rein, which W&H brought into operation in 2008 to enhance two portal milling machines from another manufacturer. "On these machines, we primarily produce large frame parts for our whole range of machines", says Richter. "These components play an important role for us, as they make a significant contribution to the high quality of our printing machines, processing machines and film winders."
Just as important a role is played by the core components for blown-film extrusion lines, which are partially made from chrome-nickel heat-treated steel forged especially for W&H, or from grey iron and cast aluminium turned parts. Every part is unique in batch size 1. In order to ensure productive machining, W&H relies on complete processing and quick tool handling. To keep up with growing demand, the Westphalian firm recently opted for a new Contumat VCE 2400/200 MC vertical turning lathe from Dörries Scharmann in Mönchengladbach, a subsidiary of the Swiss Starrag Group.
In customers' hands: Dörries CONTUMAT 2400/200 MC vertical turning lathe from the Starrag Group
The "packaging artist" from Lengerich
Just how much more productive this machine is in comparison to its predecessor is impossible to say exactly, because of the changes in design and equipment. Another bonus is the increase in flexibility, which is indicated by the suffix ‘MC’ (Machining Centre) on the type designation. Because this is actually a vertical machining centre, designed to be multi-functional thanks to its additional 30 kW drilling and milling drive (3,000 min-1). It was demonstrated very impressively by machine operator Andreas Gräler, through the precise, powerful and low-vibration machining of a machine part with a 650-mm-long solid drill (diameter: 113 mm). This is one of many examples that demonstrate the extreme versatility of the Contumat. Baune comments: "We’re only just discovering everything we can do with the Contumat. We have been able to machine pieces which we hadn’t previously expected to."
That is an indication of how precisely the machines are designed to match customers’ requirements. Richter: "In fact, machine tools from the Starrag Group can be configured precisely in accordance with customer requirements." Proof that the new marketing message "Engineering precisely what you value" has been a reality for some time
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