New machining machines provide efficiency gains

The production at Van Wees Waalwijk is divided into the departments machining, and construction and assembly. The machining department works with conventional and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) turning and milling machines. 'We use the conventional machines mainly for single pieces and overhauling parts,' explains Head of Sales Rene van Heijst. 'The CNC machines are mainly used for the small and medium-sized serial products. The parts produced in the machining department are both for our own mechanical engineering and for third parties.'

The new CNC machines have greatly reduced the number of operations for a machinist. Whereas previously each part had to be removed from the machine after turning in order to perform a milling operation, this is now all done in one machine.

Over the past year, we have invested in training in programming the machines and have also learned the first solid products on the machines. 'Now we know the machines well and have them well under control,' says Rene. 'We now want to enter the market with these machines to bring new products to us. Thanks to these machines, we can now also start producing more complex parts such as 5-plane milling, which we had to say no to before.'

The arrival of the new machines meant that there also had to be investment in the employees. 'Fortunately, our people were open to taking on this new technology and working with it. Of course there was a moment of anxiety at first, especially once the machines came in. But once they were in, they only became more enthusiastic, and still are,' John says.

In the workshop, that enthusiasm can be seen in machinist Tim Rijnen. He proudly shows off the new machine. 'I now work two or three times as fast. I used to have to walk up and down to the old turning and milling machines behind it, but now I can do everything in one machine. We're really super happy with this machine!

One of the clients for whom the machining machines are used is Marel from Boxmeer. For this world leader in chicken processing machines, Van Wees Waalwijk has been producing parts mainly from stainless steel for about 15 years. 'We always try to build a long-term relationship with our customers. Over the years you build up a certain article file, so it's an efficient story for us, but also for Marel cost-wise.'

Quality is of paramount importance at Van Wees Waalwijk. All products leaving the company undergo a meticulous quality control before they go to the customer. 'That is a great strength of our company, combined with delivery reliability,' John says. 'It is one of the reasons why we are "Preferred Supplier" with a multinational company like Marel from Boxmeer.'

According to René, the strength of Van Wees Waalwijk also lies in the combination work they provide. Not only in the turning and milling work, but also in the combination work with pieces that may still need to be welded. That is, if you compare it to a purely machining company, special. They have to outsource that work, whereas we have everything under one roof. On top of that, our guys have extensive experience with their own machine building. There is more than enough knowledge at Van Wees Waalwijk.'

Thanks to the arrival of the new machining machines, Van Wees Waalwijk is ready for the future. Rene: 'This year we exist 115 years and we are entering a new period.' If it is up to both gentlemen, it will be a period full of new investments, allowing the company to continue to distinguish itself in the market.