KR – Tools cannot complain about a lack of orders at present. In the coming months, the contract manufacturer from Bojkovic in the Czech Republic will therefore be preparing for the future. The first step will be two 3-axis machining centers, but there is also interest in a 5-axis machine. HURCO is the partner on this journey.
FKR – Tools has a clear roadmap for its investments in the coming months: “We have signed a contract with HURCO for two new TAKUMI machines,” reports Radim Kuchař, owner of KR – Tools. “One of the 3-axis machines will arrive this year, the second at the beginning of 2023. “These machines will fill the last remaining spaces in our production hall,” he reveals. Plans are currently underway for a new production hall, which would also provide space for another 5-axis machine. “Why change suppliers when you’re satisfied with something?” says Kuchař, explaining his loyalty to HURCO. He is referring to a TAKUMI U 600, which KR – Tools has been working with since 2021. “High-quality and precise,” is how the owner describes the machine. He therefore wants to continue working with Zenit, the Czech dealer in the TAKUMI network, who has provided professional support to the contract manufacturer for everything related to the 5-axis machining center.
More and more work
In 2003, Kuchař founded his company KR – Tools in Bojkovice in the Zlínský district in southeastern Czech Republic. “We started with four employees.” The contract manufacturer quickly developed into a sought-after supplier of precision machine components and modules, “although we still don’t do large series production,” Kuchař explains. “Our series consist of up to 20 parts.” Work in this segment quickly increased. At the same time, the number of employees increased, currently standing at 35 in production. “What we cannot manufacture ourselves due to time constraints, we outsource to cooperating companies.” In order to reduce outsourcing, the machine park is being expanded piece by piece. One of the cornerstones is now the Takumi U 600, which was purchased and installed via Zenit.
Clear priorities
The booming orders continue to come from various industries, but primarily from the packaging industry. “Our largest customers are manufacturers of aerosol cans, for whom we produce spare parts for production equipment. This accounts for approximately 75 to 80% of our production. Another 10% of the components go to the automotive industry. The rest are prototypes for electric motors, such as rotors and stators. From time to time, we also manufacture components for the aircraft industry or spare parts for agricultural machinery, such as gears and pulleys.“ Across the entire spectrum, the priorities in production are quality, accuracy, speed, and adherence to deadlines. ”Even a delay of just a few days can cause massive problems for the customer.”
Increasingly self-sufficient
Over the years, Bojkovic has become increasingly self-sufficient in handling its range of orders. “Other companies have always supported us, but with the gradual expansion of our machine park, we are increasingly taking matters into our own hands. Today, we use CNC lathes, milling machines, and grinding machines, employ laser technology for part marking, and utilize CNC measurement technology. As a certified company, measurement reports are an integral part of our part delivery, as they prove that the parts meet the high quality requirements.” As far as milling is concerned, Kuchař continues, they used to only work with three axes. In 2021, when purchasing a laser device, the Czech TAKUMI representative Zenit drew their attention to the U 600 with Heidenhain control. KR – Tools had already been considering the purchase of a 5-axis machine for some time. This was followed by a tender in which several suppliers participated. “Not least because of the good financing and delivery conditions, we ultimately decided in favor of TAKUMI.”
Everything works as expected
Today, the TAKUMI U 600 with 10 kW spindle power and up to 15,000 rpm is used to machine cast iron, steel, zinc, duralumin, and even bronze. Designed for medium-sized parts, the U 600 manufactures prototypes, among other things. “To do this, we scan the geometry of a part, develop a 3D computer model, and then mill the required shape using five axes,” reports Kuchař. “The machining center fully meets our expectations. And it does so with absolute high quality and precision. With daily operating times of 12 hours, manufacturing tolerances are usually around 10 µm. Depending on the customer, it can be a little less or a little more.“ Everyone in Bojkovice is satisfied. Very satisfied, in fact: ”With the TAKUMI U 600, we have first-class technology at our disposal that continues to run flawlessly to this day. Should something unexpected happen, our contact with the service center guarantees that faults will be rectified within 24 hours of being reported. And if a spare part is not in stock, we can rely on international courier and shipping companies. Everything works as we expected.” So why change?
