Partners in precision and perfection
Once HERMLE – always HERMLE. Wolfgang Müller capitalises on CNC machining centres from Gosheim in his small family operation MBM-Schnaittenbach. The second C 12 U has just been added, to significantly increase capacity. The next step will be getting started in automation.
MBM-Schnaittenbach is characterised by short paths and the resulting fast response times. MBM stands for Müller Metal Machining (Metallbearbeitung Müller). With headquarters in Oberpfalz, Bavaria, it specialises in parts about the size of a fist for special machine construction, electrical engineering, the semiconductor industry and medical technology. "Out customers come from the Amberg-Sulzbach region", explains the founder, Managing Director and proprietor Wolfgang Müller. "Punctual delivery of workpieces is our key selling point, and given the physical proximity of our customers, we can do that with no problem", adds his wife Martina, who is responsible for commercial processing of orders, but also works in production.
To be able to deliver quickly, the company has various materials in storage, mainly aluminium, stainless steel and tool steel. "We manufacture in batch sizes of 1 and up, so many different workpieces in small quantities", explains Wolfgang Müller. One great advantage of the family business is flexibility: "On occasion I have supplied our customers with the desired component within two hours", he adds to drive home the point.
Usually in use around the clock
In special machine construction, MBM has repeatedly manufactured components in small quantities for a manufacturer of production systems for masks. However, in 2020 – at the beginning of the Corona pandemic – the customer suddenly needed eight times the quantity, to be able to meet demand. "That exceeded our capacity and could not be done with our existing machining centres", recalls Wolfgang Müller. He got HERMLE on board to clarify how quickly a new machining centre would be available. "Manfred Pantel from the sales field service at HERMLE and our direct contact person went to work for us – exactly one week after we called him, we were able to place the first C 250 in operation, he recollects. The 3-axis machining centre offers a large working area in comparison to its installation area and was perfectly suited for the task. Another advantage of the machine: The C 250 can be transported complete without disassembly and set up without a foundation.
Manfred Pantel adds: "The request went to the Management Board. This was because the only machine that could be delivered that quickly was in the teaching workshop of our apprentices." Given the urgency and the scope of the project, approval was quick in coming. "It was very important for HERMLE to help out in getting a handle on the pandemic", emphasises the sales expert.
In the weeks that followed, Wolfgang Müller grew beyond his limits again and again – 16 to 20-hour days became the rule. "We were under enormous time pressure to manufacture the parts on time. After just under two months it was done and we were able to make our delivery to the machine manufacturer exactly on time", he reports proudly.
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Martina and Wolfgang Müller are an experienced team. -
Wolfgang Müller programs an order on his new C 12 U, which he has been using for a few months. -
The C 250 3-axis machining centre offers space for cubic parts up to 1100 kilogrammes. -
MBM-Schnaittenbach manufactures various workpieces for special machine construction on the Hermle machines.
From the garage to the open countryside
In 2009 Wolfgang Müller made himself independent in his father's double garage. The goal was to set up his own contract manufacturing business. During his training and later as a foreman and production manager, he got to know some of the machining companies in the region. "Having my own company allows me to implement my own ideas. I can respond quickly to market requirements and technological developments", he explains.
The first acquisition of MBM-Schnaittenbach was a HERMLE UWF 851 with year of construction 1991. I bought the tool milling machine used at the time and it is still running impeccably", says the expert in praise of the machine. It is only used sporadically, because most of our workpieces now run on the C 250 3-axis machining centre and the two C 12 U 5-axis machining centres. "I still use the UWF to manufacture large parts that don't fit in the installation space of the other systems. The dimensional accuracy is still immaculate", exclaims Wolfgang Müller. He did arrange for a complete overhaul of the machine a few years ago. "I like it very much that HERMLE offers prime service for old machines as well and replacement parts are still available."
Martina Müller confirms: "We always receive support very quickly whenever there is a problem with a machine. That's just great." Particularly for a small company like MBM, he points out, it is extremely important for the machining centre not to be down a long time. "We produce in tightly connected processes and cannot fall back on other systems if there is a long-term failure", summarises Managing Director Müller.
Further growth
MBM mills exclusively on machines from Gosheim. "I became familiar with this machining centre and learnt to appreciate it with my old employer. So there was no question in my mind, I only wanted to manufacture on HERMLE." The company therefore expanded the machine park in 2018 with the first C 12 U. It was a perfect match for the wide range of parts and convinced Wolfgang Müller with its high accuracy and compactness. "Our motto is "Precision and perfection" – with HERMLE machines I can easily achieve the required dimensional accuracy."
The second C 12 U has been in operation for several months now. "Our quantities have grown and we were no longer able to handle the workload with one machine", explains Müller. The new acquisition is identical in design to its twin – the only difference between the machining centres is in the control unit. "That was my first contact with the Heidenhain TNC7", emphasises the Managing Director. "The HERMLE fitter who set up the machine gave me a few tricks and tips. The rest was learning by doing." Manfred Pantel adds: "The change from the TNC 640 control unit to the TNC7 involves only a small amount of effort for an accomplished professional like Wolfgang Müller." Thanks to the C 12 U, MBM now manufactures about 30 more than previously. "Now I don't have to work as many hours – just twelve hours a day instead of 16", says the entrepreneur with a wink.
To further improve his work-life balance, he is currently considering automation. "We will be manufacturing numerous series for a new customer, and the RS 05-2 robot system would be ideal for this for small pallets and parts", reasons Wolfgang Müller. So he is already considering how to fit an additional machining centre with connected robotics in the hall.
