A tradition of innovation

Wachsmuth enjoys a global reputation for precision in toolmaking and metal forming. High-grade engineering services, a consistent commitment to perfection and the highest standards of workmanship are its assurance of long-term and successful customer relations.

Its work for customers in wide-ranging sectors all over the world is founded on numerous patents and inventions. Wachsmuth always finds a solution in making the impossible possible.

A tradition of innovation.

The consistent commitment to perfection.

Impressive machines for big tasks

An all-round package that does the job.

So the coffee tastes good …

Mitsubishi Electric EDM system operating unmanned.

Udo Wachsmuth, Managing Director of G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH

The accuracy of the Mitsubishi Electric machines, the attractive price/performance ratio and reliability. An all-round package that does the job.

Form for the food industry

André Kroker, wire-cutter and CAM programmer at G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH

What I like most about the new MV4800 is its surface finish and accuracy.

G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH

Companies in Profile

Name and place of company:
G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH
Germany

Founding year:
1975

Managing Director:
Udo Wachsmuth

Employees:
40

Core business:
Stamping, toolmaking and laser-cutting, from prototypes through to parts produced in series

Contact

G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH
Harpkestr. 16 + 25
58769 Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde / Germany

Tel +49 2352 938450
Fax +49 2352 320194

info@wachsmuth.de
www.wachsmuth-gruppe.de

Profis zeigen Profil: Udo Wachsmuth

Interview

What does Wachsmuth do?

We produce tools for the food, pharmaceutical and automotive industries as well as deep-drawing dies.

What is your bread-and-butter business?

Our bread and butter is tools for the food industry. Deep drawing is still one of our specialities, because there are not many in Germany who do it. In this area we’ve got a strong position on the market. Another important line of business is the production of tools for cutting very thin plastic films.

Has there ever been a project that proved to be a major challenge?

We had a deep-drawing part that proved to be a real headache. But we managed it in the end – because we never give up. In fact we’ve never had a project that’s caused us to throw in the towel. But there have of course been projects where we’ve said “I’ve had enough of this!”, but we’ve always seen them through.

What do customers appreciate most about your work?

Our accuracy – that we produce precision results and deliver on time.

Your company is located on a hill near the Ruhr district. What can you tell us about it?

I like to put it this way: We work in an area where others spend their holidays. Our father set up his own business here in 1975, and that’s how we came to be working in such a tiny place like Wiblingwerde.

Today you’ve got a 40-strong workforce and have installed a specialised machine park. What experience have you gathered in the last few years?

The machines have become more and more accurate and reliable, and speed is constantly increasing. There’s a lot going on in this area.

When you look back at successive generations of machines, what are the most important developments that you have experienced?

The machines have become so much faster and their precision has increased. Like on the MV4800. It’s really good now thanks to its tubular drive.

The MV4800 is a relatively large model – how come you bought this one?

We needed traverses on the X and Y axes – Z wasn’t so important for us. It then turned out that we had a good use for it after all and now want to offer the whole lot as a subcontractor in the marketplace.

You’ve built up your expertise over a period of decades. Can other businesses come to you and make use of it?

All skills and machines that we have here at the company are available to outside customers. The wire-cutting machines from Mitsubishi Electric in particular are available on principle for subcontracted jobs. We’ve got four of them – the FX30-K, FA20S, FA20S Advance and the new MV4800.

Udo Wachsmuth

Managing Director
G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH

Udo Wachsmuth, Managing Director

Profis zeigen Profil: André Kroker

Interview

How long have you been wire-cutting?

Since I was 19 – that’s 33 years ago.

How many different machine types have you so far worked on?

This is the fourth machine type from Mitsubishi Electric that I’ve so far worked on.

How do you find machine operation?

Operation is very intuitive. In the past we’ve had to change from one machine generation to the next. It only took me a few hours to acclimatise.

Do you also run the Mitsubishi Electric wire EDM systems unmanned?

Yes, we see to it that the machines run overnight. It depends of course on the work that you’re asked to do. Basically, we prefer to use the Mitsubishi Electric machines unmanned.

How does automatic threading work?

Usually perfectly. If you stick to the machines’ maintenance intervals, there are never any problems.

You’ve got four Mitsubishi Electric generations at the company. How have you experienced developments from one generation to the next?

There’s steady progress in terms of speed and surface finish. I don’t know if there’s ever going to be a limit.

The MV4800 is a very large model. What was the biggest workpiece that you’ve ever machined on it, and how did it go?

The biggest workpiece measured 1200 x 800 mm and was 110 mm thick. It went pretty well.

Have you ever machined any other unusual workpieces that placed special requirements on the Mitsubishi Electric machines?

For a multi-punch, for example, we had to cut 120 star stamps, with each one taking five to six hours – and that went perfectly.

Have there been any other unusual workpieces?

For the most part we cut tools for the packaging industry. The procedures here are always very similar. These include die plates with a tiny kerf of 3 to 4 µm – we manage that very well.

What’s your assessment of the machining accuracy of large workpieces?

We achieve narrow tolerances – in some cases 2 to 3 μm. And when I work with a technology, I manage that in 5 to 6 cycles.

What materials do you machine most often?

We machine cemented carbides, cold- and hot-work steels, powder steels and stainless steels on all machines.

You’re in charge of four machines. Is that a challenge or can you cope with them?

You can cope with a lot of machines if you know how to organise your work. We’ve got a lot of long-running jobs for which a machine operates continuously for 2 to 3 days. So it’s not a major problem.

Are you the only EDM specialist in your company?

At the moment I am. I’ve got a holiday stand-in who also comes in when things get tight.

André Kroker

Wire-cutter and CAM programmer
G. Wachsmuth & Co. Werkzeugbau GmbH

André Kroker, wire-cutter and CAM programmer

A tradition of innovation