From left to right: David Catoni, owner Formteknik Värnamo; Magnus Friedland, Johan Nordström; Dennis Martinsson, owner Formteknik Värnamo; Elvir Sijaric, owner Formteknik Värnamo; and Steven Nieberle, head of sales at Universal Machines InternationalSweden-based
Formteknik Värnamo is a specialist in the manufacture of high-pressure die casting tools and the associated components. In addition to its own production, the company also offers contract manufacturing for large components. The requirements for precision and efficiency in production are high, which is why Formteknik Värnamo turned to
Grob a few years ago in search of a powerful and versatile machine.
The first contact between Formteknik Värnamo and Grob came about in 2022. The focus in Formteknik Värnamo’s production was on optimising the machining processes. The parts were to be completed in a single operation wherever possible in order to reduce set-up times and machining steps.
In addition, chip management was to be improved to enable efficient and unmanned production. After a thorough analysis, Formteknik Värnamo opted for Grob’s G550 universal machining centre after just three months, as it offered exactly the combination of high precision, flexibility and reliability that the manufacturer was looking for.
Six months after the successful commissioning, a second Grob machine — a G750 — was purchased to meet the increased demand and to be able to produce larger tools. Dennis Martinsson, one of the owners of Formteknik Värnamo, describing the decision, said: “With the machines, we have found a solution to produce our parts in a single operation. The training and service are excellent and we can leave the machines running unattended without any problems.”
By purchasing the Grob machines, Formteknik Värnamo was able to optimise its production processes and achieve significant improvements. The machining time was reduced from 50-60hr down to 2-3hr. Elvir Sijaric, also an owner of Formteknik Värnamo, said: “We have doubled our capacity and drastically reduced the machining time. It used to take us around 40hr to drill holes, but now the same process only takes 20min.” Thanks to this enormous time saving, the company has been able to significantly increase its production capacity not only increasing its capacity utilisation, but also improving its overall competitiveness.
High dynamics and stability The G550 and G750 offer a wide range of applications and are ideal for both series and small series production. They are characterised by high dynamics and stability as well as short chip-to-chip times. Another decisive advantage lies in the design of the machines: their horizontal spindles allow the chips to fall directly downwards, meaning that the machines can be operated without constant supervision. With the G750, Formteknik Värnamo can now also produce larger tools and react quickly to new customer requirements.
Pictured right: The Grob G550 at Formteknik VärnamoIn addition to the high quality of the machines, Formteknik Värnamo also appreciates Grob’s first-class customer service. In particular, the fast response time when servicing is required is a major plus point. Mr Martinsson recalled: “We were able to resume production within just five days after a spindle crash. The training courses were also very good and helped us to make optimum use of the machines.” GROB not only supplied excellent machines, but also comprehensive and reliable customer service.
Another success factor in the implementation of the project was the close cooperation with Grob’s sales agent. Johan Nordström provided Formteknik Värnamo with significant support throughout the entire process. Thanks to the close cooperation between Grob and Johan Nordström, the integration of the machines at Formteknik Värnamo was optimised so that the potential of the new technology could be fully exploited right from the start.
Magnus Friedland from Johan Nordström said: “It is so nice to see how these small companies are growing with the new machines and technology; and it is really nice to see the performance of the machine. The customers are very, very well looked after — with our support, both from our company and from Grob.”
Although no further machine purchases are currently planned, Formteknik Värnamo is certain that if another machine is needed, it will be another Grob. Mr Sijaric concluded: “We would recommend Grob at any time. The machines are reliable, efficient and suitable for companies of all sizes. The close cooperation with Grob and our local partner Nordström has helped us to raise our production to a new level.”
In summary, the investment in the Grob G550 and G750 has been a huge success for Formteknik Värnamo. The company has been able to significantly increase its efficiency and production capacity, while at the same time optimising production quality. The success story shows that Grob is not only the right choice for large OEMs, but also offers small and medium-size companies decisive advantages and the right products for them.