Case Study for Hermle and BLOMIX

BLOMIX blow moulds are used worldwide. The Dutch company meets the challenge of delivering the highest quality while remaining flexible and economical with the help of automated 5-axis machining centres from Hermle.

 Luke Beenders, Managing Director of BLOMIX B.V believes plastics suffer from an unjustifiably poor image.

“The material can be processed fully and is recyclable.”

BLOMIX designers, engineers, manufacturers maintain moulds for extrusion blow moulding in the southern Dutch town of Brunssum. They are used to crate products with volumes ranging from 20mm to 500litres – although precision, not the size is the real challenge here. Since a blow mould consists of several parts. IF they are not machined precisely, unwanted seams or burrs are visible on the finished blow moulded products.

“For the perfect 3D contour, we manufacture with tolerances in the range of a few microns,” Beenders explains.

Although this might sound very simple it is technically very difficult to achieve: The moulds spend up to 15 hours on the machine in jus tone setup. To prevent thermal conductivity causing any negative impacts during the long milling periods, a nine-metre-high ceiling and adiabatic cooling help to keep temperatures fluctuations to a minimum down on the BLOMIX shop floor.Additional peace of mind is provided by the Dutch company’s machinery: Three automated 5-axis machining centres from Hermle AG. The youngest member of the team is a C 650 U with HS flex heavy automation. Thanks to their rigid design and integrated electrical heat compensation, the milling centres from Gosheimare precise and offer long term precisions can investment that pause for itself.“The outstanding precision of Hermle missing centers helps to cut installationtime. The individual components fit together much better, thus reducing thetime spend reworking.” Beenders claims.

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Impressive concept

Yet another reason for choosing Hermle was the reliable automation solution. “This is the only way we can remain competitive,” TheManaging Director explains. That the machine and automation come from the same source increases easy to use and technical availability. “If problems arise, it’s clear who’s responsible. In addition, the team a Hermle responds very quickly when we need its help.” Introduction of the HS Flex heavy system in March 2020 therefore came at just the right time for BLOMIX. “We’re one of the first companies inEurope to use the system and it’s going very well,” Beenders adds.

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All Hermle machining centers, including the automation are controlled and managed by the Hermle Automation Control System (HCAS). Beendersis delighted with the integrated operating concept. “In our case, flexibility doesn’t just mean we can easily swap parts between the three Hermle machines, it also means operations are proficient on each machine.” They can thus optimize machine utilization thereby ensuring greater capacity.

Room for improvement is important at the company which works in a project based manner.

“We don’t utilizes the machines to maximum effect as this allows us to respond more spontaneously to request from customers. Nevertheless, there has to be a pay-back: The Managing Director explains.

During the day works complete the complex tasks, perform tests and prepare the unmanned shifts. At night and on weekends, the 5-axis machining centers ideally run autonomously. “It’s virtually a mechanical sport”

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