We work with Vollmer today, and tomorrow - only with Vollmer
31-12-2021 |
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Yaroslav Lazarchuk, "If the company's approach to customers is evaluated by |
The company "Intex+" has been present on the market of Ukraine for more than 30 years. All these years, it produces a diverse range of woodworking tools: circular saws of almost all standard sizes, milling cutters with interchangeable knives, wide band saws and cutting plates. Equipping production with Vollmer high-tech equipment played a rather important role in the development and establishment of the enterprise as the leader of the country's tool market
The beginning was not easy
Our enterprise was organized in the terrible nineties after the collapse of the Union. We started with the production of tools, in particular circular saws for woodworking, using still old Soviet technical processes, which involved sharpening saws on universal machines. They tried to improve something, to automate, but since the equipment was antediluvian, the effect of the innovations was small. However, at the same time, they were moving forward.
Therefore, when we were able to reach a certain level, we realized that if we do not take some radical steps in the modernization of our machine park, we will remain where we were then: far, far behind tool manufacturers even in the same Poland or the Baltic States, not to mention about German and French companies.
The acquisition of Vollmer machines is a turning point in the development of "Intex+"
Thanks to a competent approach to the tasks before us and a professional knowledge of information, the head of the sales department for Eastern Europe, Eduard Degraaf from the Vollmer company, helped us find the optimal solution. He offered to purchase already used Vollmer equipment from a company in Germany. We saw it in action, consulted. Yes, it was not new, but it was functional and had the necessary functionality. At that time, it was the only opportunity for us to purchase equipment of this level. Soon, the first machines arrived at our production site.
Vollmer is a global brand
To this day, I do not see an alternative to it. Then we immediately bought four machines with two robots (Vollmer Typ CHD 250R, Vollmer Typ CHF 210R, Vollmer Typ ENF — 500) plus two machines for sharpening the teeth of disk cutters. All the software was included with the delivery, by the way, there was nothing archi-complex in it. For about two weeks, we were trained at Vollmer's European office. In addition, we were consulted in detail and demonstrated the operation of the machines at the company where we purchased them. All this allowed us to fully automate the process of sharpening circular saws. That is, from this moment on, the quality of the tool produced by us no longer depends on the qualification of the machine operator.
To date, the equipment purchased at that time has worked for about twenty years. During this time, there were no significant breakdowns, only current scheduled preventive repairs, replacement of consumables, etc. And all alone. Our specialists know the equipment very well and service it themselves.
Later, inspired by the positive experience of operating machines of this brand, we bought several more Vollmer machines - already in Ukraine. Then another new machine was purchased in Germany — Vollmer CPF200 for sharpening the teeth of circular saws on the side surface. Naturally, the efficiency of equipment operation is affected by readjustments. The higher the serial number of products, the fewer there are. But since our specialists have mastered this type of equipment very well, they do not spend a lot of time on this procedure. We process single samples and small series of tools on non-robotic machines.
What to say? The equipment is great! Our operators and technologists have only positive feedback about it. Until February 24, when there were many orders, we operated it in two and even three shifts.
Oil cooling system to improve quality
In accordance with our development strategy, the need to purchase more advanced equipment to improve the quality of manufactured products has already arrived today. In particular, sharpening machines with an oil cooling system, since we still use water-mixable ZOR.
The fact is that the effectiveness of oil cooling is undeniable and has been the absolute standard in Europe for many years. It allows to increase the quality and stability of the tool. At the same time, equipment wear is reduced. Of course, any cooling system has the right to life, but the oil cooling system is the most appropriate for sharpening operations. We understand that this is not an easy way forward, but there is no way without it. The situation in the country does not allow us to do this yet. But we are getting there. There is no special secret here: steady movement forward is a common strategy of all enterprises that strive to work efficiently and develop.
The service is great!
Vollmer always goes to meet its customer with any questions and, what is quite important, they keep spare parts in stock even for equipment that has not been produced for a long time, so that old customers can maintain the efficiency of their machines for a long time.
We choose "OMD DIAMONDS"
In mechanical engineering, the quality of manufactured products is influenced not only by the class of equipment, but also by the tool. We have come a long way in choosing its suppliers. Despite the fact that we previously used diamond tools of American and European brands, today we decided on the products of the company "OMD DIAMONDS" - our domestic manufacturer, an official partner of the Poltava diamond tool plant. For us, as well as for any metalworking enterprise, when choosing a diamond tool, two parameters are important, first of all: the roughness of the surface of the product after processing with it and its cost per unit of the product, and more specifically, for the sharpening of one tooth.
It is according to these characteristics that we are satisfied with the tool of the "OMD DIAMONDS" company, whose director is a high-level professional Oleg Demyanko.
It is a customer-oriented company. Before offering their tool, here they find out in detail all the problems and tasks of the consumer, constantly improve the design of the produced tool, develop new connections.
We take our hats off to them
We have mastered the entire technical process of production of band saws with widths from 80 mm to 200 mm. We purchase rolled steel for them in Germany from the Risse+Wilke group of companies. On the TRUMPF laser complex, we cut the teeth of the specified configuration and pitch in the tape. Then they are rolled, steeled and sharpened. For sharpening, we purchased several more Vollmer machines. Despite the constant loading in two or three shifts, there have been no problems with them until now.
By the way, we were helped to develop and implement the technical process by the specialists of the French company Forézienne — a world-famous manufacturer of band saws. We take off our hats to them and thank them for their help.
We bought the equipment for the first stage from them, and then purchased the machines ourselves. Today, band saws "Intex+" meet the highest quality standards, while their price is lower than that of the proposed analogues.
We invite often, they rarely come
According to the European tradition, we often invite our potential and existing customers to visit our company. They come, it is true, infrequently, but the one who accepts the invitation is often very surprised. Some see the production of circular saws of this level for the first time: "It turns out that this is possible in Ukraine!"
During the thirty or so short years of our company's existence, as they say, I felt firsthand the absolute indifference of the previous government to the Ukrainian manufacturer. I am not a politician, so I do not seek to criticize any of the previous leaders. But thanks to Zelenskyi, we were able to get cheap "5-7-9" loans and purchase new equipment, which allowed us to take another step forward. For the first time, the state, although not completely, turned its face to the needs of producers. It's nice.
