Flexible production in focus

Flexibility is a top priority for the Claassen group. Based in Saterland, Lower Saxony, the group recently began operating two new compact cells from CLOOS for the welding of small components which combine efficient production with excellent welding results.

Up to 100 tons of steel are processed by the Claassen group every day. The traditional supplier company has enjoyed remarkable growth since its founding by Thomas Claassen in 1999. In addition to Maschinen- und Metallbau Claassen GmbH, the Group also includes the metalworking and welding company Thoclatec GmbH in which the Group's entire welding operations are concentrated and also Syntegra GmbH which was launched in 2007 and primarily employs disabled people. In total, the Group has around 200 employees and the name Maschinen- und Metallbau Claassen is well known throughout the region for its high-quality metal plate solutions. "From conceptual planning through to professional production and assembly of individual prototypes, small and large series production with complex components, we offer our customers everything from a single source," says Thomas Claassen, founder and CEO of the Claassen group. "The trend today is increasingly towards more complex components.” By positioning itself broadly across a range of industry sectors, such as engineering, agricultural engineering, shipbuilding, wind energy, materials handling, crane construction and many more, Claassen wants to remain flexible and thus avoid dependence on any single industry. Whether steel, stainless steel, aluminium, plastic, copper or brass, the company manufactures plates and moulded parts in lengths of up to 12 m, diameters of up to 410 mm, plate thicknesses of up to 300 mm and individual weights of up to 10 tonnes. "Our customers very much appreciate our flexibility and short delivery times", says the CEO. Many are long-standing regular customers, however the components required change frequently. Therefore, the company not only handles manufacturing but also supports customers in developing their components into serial products.

Compact robot cell for small components

Since spring 2016 Thoclatec has been using two new QIROX QR-CC-4.1 compact cells from CLOOS to weld small components. The robot cells each have a 2-station workpiece positioner that is capable of vertical transition and rotation. Whilst the robot welds at one station, the other station can be loaded again. This accelerates the entire process enormously.