Being first is rarely reason enough to buy a machine. At UV Tooling, the first ARBURG TREND installed in South Africa has earned its place on the production floor for more practical reasons: repeatability, reduced waste, energy efficiency and greater flexibility.
For operations director Ruedi Vogeli, the investment fits a strategy that has guided the business since his father Ulrich founded it in 1986 – specialise, invest in technology and avoid commodity manufacturing.
Being first is rarely reason enough to buy a machine. At UV Tooling, the first ARBURG TREND installed in South Africa has earned its place on the production floor for more practical reasons: repeatability, reduced waste, energy efficiency and greater flexibility.
For operations director Ruedi Vogeli, the investment fits a strategy that has guided the business since his father Ulrich founded it in 1986 – specialise, invest in technology and avoid commodity manufacturing.
It is a considerable evolution from the small Parow workshop where UV Tooling started with one milling machine, a spark-erosion machine, a small lathe and a drawing board. Today, the company employs around 120 people across three shifts, supplying local and international customers with precision components for fluid control, electronics, aerospace applications and bulk packaging.
That diversity places a premium on process stability, particularly for applications such as IBC components where tolerances are tight.
‘Repeatability was probably the biggest consideration for us,’ says Ruedi. ‘When you are running expensive materials, every bit of scrap affects the bottom line. You have to make every part count.’
The all-electric ARBURG TREND is designed around energy-efficient production, lower operating costs and straightforward operation. Available in four sizes from 500 to 1 800kN, the range combines the GESTICA lite control system with simplified set-up and maintenance. The platform is also designed for automation and future integration, including MULTILIFT robotics.
The differentiating factor
The TREND is already showing an impact, with UV Tooling reporting a significant reduction in waste. Ruedi is reluctant to put a definitive figure on the return at this early stage, but the machine’s stability has been immediately noticeable.
‘It has been an incredibly stable platform so far,’ he says.
The installation also reflects a relationship with ARBURG and its South African representative, Hestico, stretching back decades. For Hestico Cape Town branch manager Lukas Prinsloo, the machine demonstrates ARBURG’s response to customer demand for proven technology in a more accessible package.
‘The TREND was born out of customer feedback,’ says Lukas. ‘It is about giving manufacturers the reliability and technology they expect from ARBURG, but in a machine that is simpler, more flexible and quicker to put into production.’
That flexibility is particularly relevant in a manufacturing environment where long equipment lead times can force capacity decisions months before demand is clear. The TREND’s standardised concept and shorter availability can allow manufacturers to respond more quickly when opportunities arise.
Its compact footprint also makes better use of production space, while accessibility for maintenance and the ability to retrofit additional functions support a more incremental approach to investment.
For UV Tooling, future-proofing extends beyond hardware. The company is working towards greater digital integration, with production data, quality systems and process monitoring becoming increasingly important.
‘We take the view that every new machine needs to be ready for the fourth, fifth or sixth revolution,’ says Ruedi. ‘You have to build towards that rather than trying to do everything at once.’
That approach reflects the wider challenge facing South African manufacturers. Competitiveness is no longer simply about buying faster equipment. Manufacturers must manage energy, labour, material costs and skills while producing to international standards.
Automation and digitalisation can help, but Ruedi stresses that technology does not eliminate the need for capable people. It should make processes less dependent on individual skill levels while still being operated by people who understand the technology.
Ed’s note: ARBURG is represented and distributed in South Africa by Hestico.
