Rotary tables for the world FIBRO

ROTARY TABLES FOR THE WORLD

FIBRO is a worldwide leading German manufacturer of rotary tables. In an interview with Cornelia Muller, Dr Thomas Grünewald, director of the business area rotary tables, explained FIBROs corporate philosophy and how it has achieved its prime market position.

FIBRO, short for the names of the former owners, Fischer and Brodbeck, can look back at 50 years of history. The company has two pillars: It is a manufacturer of standard parts for the construction of tools and mould-making. The second pillar is rotary tables, which we look at more closely. The two business units are fairly independent, the first being based in Hassmersheim close to Heidelberg, and the second closer to Stuttgart in Weinsberg. Precision, quality and reliability

Both units share the same motto, as Thomas Grünewald put it: “Precision, quality and reliability are key. They give us our leading market position. For rotary tables this is so crucial, because the tools and workpieces rotate during the process, so everything must be positioned in a way that nothing fails and nothing slips or misses. The rotary table is a precision axis or the heart of the machine, and it is our task to keep it going smoothly, be it for the machining of precision parts, the filling of tooth paste tubes or the welding of wedges.”

FIBRO brought the first rotary table to the market in 1962. Today, it is the strongest brand on the European market. According to company statistics, about 50 per cent of production is exported directly. Another substantial share is first supplied in Germany and then exported in fully assembled machines. The company estimates that approximately 80 per cent of its products

are used outside of Germany, although virtually everything is developed and produced at the two manufacturing sites in Germany.

“We have the broadest product range worldwide,” Thomas Grünewald said. Many of FIBRO’s tables use the so-called Hirth gearing, which is very rigid and precise. It works on a pure index basis, which gives it additional precision – and thus reliability. Other drives used include NC drives, which are controlled continuously, worm drives offering a high torque, direct drive with a torque motor and an electromechanical drive. Apart from the broad variety of drives, FIBRO also sets itself apart with its table diameter capacity: they can be as small as 100 mm or as big as 6 m, and hold as little as only a few grams or as much as 200 tons.

This flexibility and span, which FIBRO can achieve thanks to continuous research and advice of the in-house engineering team, gives it a unique market position. Thomas Grünewald said: “When something has to be positioned on a rotary table, we have the solution. We work closely with our customers and offer individual advice to produce the necessary customised solution.” Economic and ecological sustainability

Experience has proven that FIBRO’s rotary tables are highly reliable and gain precision over the course of the years. Thomas Grünewald said: “Many of our clients have confirmed that they install the new rotary table and then do not have to worry about it at all. At regular service overhauls, all that is needed is the routine replacement of wear parts, for example some seals. The machine as a whole tends to be replaced only due to general changes or improvements or increased requirements in the industry. In recent years we have observed that

higher power is required, or load or speed have increased or the tables are built into machines that must satisfy an even higher demand for precision.”

A recent addition, which FIBRO brought on the market in autumn 2010, is a rotary table for milling machines with a diameter of 4m and a load capacity of 200 tons. Apart from its extraordinary capacity FIBRO have also introduced rolling bearings instead of hydrostatic bearings. The former are significantly more ecologically sustainable, because they do not require any costly oil lubrication or air conditioning to keep the machine and the rotary table down at operating temperature, which in turn is much more energy-efficient.

FIBRO also advocates using direct drives, such as water-cooled torque motors, only when high speed is really crucial, as they produce a large amount of waste heat and consume a lot of electricity. Thanks to its high technological competence it feels confident to suggest the use of alternative drives instead wherever possible.

When asked whether FIBRO protects its products with patents or trademarks, Thomas Grünewald smiled: “They can protect our products only to a certain extent. When you have the necessary technological expertise and can develop the right configuration and structure for a rotary table, this is the most efficient protection in itself. I am sure we have the necessary edge to be far enough ahead with our research and development that our products are copy proof. Permanent innovation is important. If you are complacent in your research, you lose your competitive edge and your credibility on the market.”

This also includes regular customer service, customer proximity and regular onsite training.

Thomas Grünewald concluded: “The latest trends in the industry have shown that more and more mechanical engineering companies focus on the manufacture of the machines as a whole, and delegate the production of complete components to reliable partners. All of the above, innovation, research, training, precision, reliability and responsibility, have helped us to build relationships of mutual trust with our customers. The more consolidated this relationship is the more it is a win-win relationship. We hope to provide it to more and more customers worldwide.” n