TN Vaerktoejsslibning, Denmark’s second-largest precision-tooling company, is using the Numroto programming system for tool grinding throughout its entire production facility. The software has been developed by CNC system manufacturer
NUM, which has a UK subsidiary, NUM (UK) Ltd in Coventry.
One of the prime business advantages of TN Vaerktoejsslibning’s, which was founded by Torben Nielsen in 1987 — coincidentally, the same year that Numroto was launched — is that it handles every aspect of manufacturing and can therefore track the movement of individual tools from initial order through to delivery. Using multiple CNC grinding machines, the company produces a comprehensive range of standard ‘TN-brand’ end mills, step drills and form cutters, many tailored to customer specification. The company also undertakes in-house tool polishing and coating.
Every aspect of tool manufacturing at TN Vaerktoejsslibning is extensively automated. The main production hall is equipped with 15 five-axis CNC grinding centres, as well as cylindrical grinding machines — all are controlled by Numroto software and networked to help simplify production management and software maintenance.
Furthermore, each machine has a dedicated programming station, to enable part programs to be created while grinding is taking place; the company is also expanding its multi-user programming facility, which currently has capacity for seven users.
Mr Nielsen, who is still at the helm of the company, said: “We try to make work as interesting and satisfying as possible for our staff, and by standardising on Numroto for the bulk of our CNC machining operations, we benefit immensely from our employees sharing a common pool of expertise and knowledge about tool production technologies and processes; and while many of our more specialist tools are only required in small batch sizes — sometimes just two or three — we aim to supply these to customers within the same nine-day timeframe as our standard tools.
“To help meet this goal, our operators need fast, simple, and unambiguous machine control facilities, which in turn demand very flexible, accurate and reliable software — and a modern user interface. The programming and machining of special tools, which constitute most of our production output, is usually carried out during the day by skilled operators. Larger standard tools are processed at night using robotic part loaders and unmanned machining centres, but with a high degree of feedback — such as in-process measurement and run-out compensation — to ensure consistent product quality.
“Our experience with Numroto has been fantastic. The software is perfect for grinding both simple and highly complex tools and is extremely reliable. It is very easy to work with and the simulation is very precise. In a period of just over 21 years, there have been very few tools that we have been unable to create.”