Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle : C 32 U | RS 1 robot system | SAM Precision B.V. | The C 32 U was our good luck

Theo Zegers (on left), Managing Director of SAM Precision B.V., and Myrle Zegers ( on right), HR & Organisation Manager at SAM Precision, with the machine crew.

Managing Director Theo Zegers describes the fact that SAM Precision ordered a new 5-axis machining centre from Hermle at the beginning of 2021 as a stroke of luck. Because the demand for precision machining rose unpredictably shortly afterwards. By letting the new C 32 Uwith RS 1robot system work autonomously overnight and at weekends, he can respond more flexibly and quickly to customer wishes.

In the Netherlands, the semiconductor industry is booming and therefore also filling the order books of the machining subcontractors. SAM Precision B.V. is one of them. Since the company was founded in 1985, SAM Precision B.V. has developed into a specialist for the high-tech machining of precision components, especially those made of difficult-to-machine metals, such as titanium and surgical steel. "We actually only have customers who are constantly growing. And we have also grown healthily," says company founder Theo Zegers. Initially, he milled for the luxury food industry. Later, medical technology, optics and the semiconductor industry, which has dominated since the beginning of 2021, were added. He sees the current situation with mixed feelings: "I have not seen such industry growth and capacity utilisation in the past 35 years. Actually, it's happening too fast."

For SAM Precision, this means having to offer ever shorter machining times and greater flexibility. In addition, there are the high demands which, despite the different sectors, have a lot in common: The parts are complex, must be manufactured with precision and be back at the customer's within two weeks - in Eindhoven, Belgium and Germany. The machining technicians literally wear velvet gloves when handling the finished components because every invisible fingerprint on the surface will result in a complaint. In general, the finished components should be handled as little as possible. According to Zegers, the milling machine must produce all parts so perfectly that no reworking is required - except for cleaning with compressed air to quickly remove residue from the cooling lubricant or any chips which may have become stuck.

"If we deliver good results, we get follow-up orders," is how Zegers sums it up. And this is what SAM Precision gets. In order not to jeopardise the delivery reliability, Zegers turned to Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG. "With 28 employees, we are a very small company. We simply don't have the staff for a multi-shift operation. In order to still be productive even during ghost shifts, I wanted to invest in an automated 5-axis machining centre," says Zegers. He has put his trust in Hermle for more than 25 years, even if he has been on the "wrong track" in the meantime, as the Managing Director puts it. But he knows what he can expect from the Gosheim-based machine manufacturer: a high level of service readiness, know-how about all systems as well as reliable and extremely precise milling machines. The fact that Hermle develops and offers its own automation solutions is another advantage: "Availability is very important for us because our milling centres have to run 24 hours a day. If there is a problem with the machine or the automation, we have a contact person who takes care of it quickly and competently."