Webtec is a hydraulic valves and test equipment manufacturer. With offices in the UK, US, Hong Kong and Germany, Webtec has machined over 400,000 parts in the last 2 years.
Webtec invested in a the ZOLLER Smile 420 to minimise their tool presetting time. This has allowed them to ensure precise tool measurement and presetting, improve tooling processes and guarantee consistent product results.
ZOLLER UK delivers world-leading precision of tool-setting, inspection, storage and management solutions, adding improved efficiency and value to any manufacturing process.
Project Brief:
Webtec manufacture a variety of bespoke and complex components that requires a range of tooling. They needed to ensure that their tooling was accurate so their components were manufactured right-first-time.
Webtec were looking to update their old tool setting methods to the latest technology and contacted ZOLLER UK to explore their tool management options.
Graeme Johnson, Machine Shop Manager for Webtec said:
“Initially when we were measuring tools, we were entering the data by hand. Our old machines were showing their age, which meant critical tools were getting damaged. We decided to look at a faster, upgraded solution for tool change and we chose the ZOLLER Smile 420.”
The Solution:
Webtec invested in the ZOLLER Smile 420 tool presetter, supplied by ZOLLER UK, to elevate their tool management, optimising production processes, minimising breakdowns, and boosting overall productivity.
The Smile 420’s CNC spindle and auto-focus features are designed for shop-floor environments. It offers robust construction, ergonomic features and seamless data transfers to ensure exceptional accuracy and repeatability.
“The ZOLLER Smile 420 meets our requirements exactly,” said Graeme. “It has allowed us to reduce set up times on all of our jobs, some of them by 75%. We needed a faster and more efficient solution for measuring the tools and ZOLLER provided us with the capability to measure the tools prior to loading them onto the machines so that they could continue to run simultaneously.”
Webtec Quality Inspector, Connor Brokenshire continued:
“The ZOLLER has had an impact on multiple areas. Our set up times and overall productivity have improved. The in-depth look from the ZOLLER Smile 420 has helped us to see any damage to our tooling which we would not have been able to see or feel before. It allows us to make a better call on the condition of a tool before we load it into the machine.”
The Benefits:
Investing in a tool presetting solution from ZOLLER UK has allowed Webtec to enhance the accuracy of their tooling and upgrade their old machines to the latest technology. Webtec is now able to ensure speed, accuracy and consistency in order to streamline their manufacturing processes.
Graeme explained the benefits of Webtec’s latest investment from ZOLLER UK:
“ZOLLER UK has definitely opened up new possibilities for us. We are able to mount base units onto the ZOLLER Smile 420 tool presetter which allows us to ensure the correct tooling for manufacturing our complex and varied parts. ZOLLER UK has seamlessly integrated into our manufacturing process, sending the measurement data directly to the machine, eliminating any risk of data being inputted incorrectly. The process of measuring tooling offline was new to us but ZOLLER UK took us through the process, providing excellent support and training. Whenever we’ve needed to contact ZOLLER UK for service or support, they’ve been first class.”
Why ZOLLER UK?
ZOLLER UK delivers world-leading precision of tool-setting, inspection, storage and management solutions, adding improved efficiency and value to any manufacturing process.
ZOLLER UK is part of the Carfulan Group who specialise in providing the most advanced manufacturing technologies available, helping customers across their five divisions to achieve optimal performance and end-product excellence.
