Cam operated machines as of day one – english
The golden age of automatic lathes manufacturers probably lies in the middle of last century when three Swiss companies shared the market and were selling cam autos by tens of thousands. In the 1960s, small structures specialized in overhauling those machines have appeared. 50 years later, that trade is flourishing and offers interesting prospects. Meeting with Mr. Carlos Cancer, CEO of Seuret SA, overhaul specialist since 1964.
Seuret SA is part of the Humard Automation SA Group since 2011. For the fiftieth anniversary of the company in 2014, it will be offered a new location in Delémont in an ultra-modern plant (under construction) and can rely on a new CEO with a broad experience in the areas of sales and management in industrial companies references in the field.
A visit to Seuret SA awakes the love of beautiful mechanical wonders.
A complete complementary offer
Dec’Humard, the NC automatic lathe presented in our September 2013 issue (available for download, see at the end of the article) counts on the key competences of Seuret SA in relation to all machining and high precision assembly operations. Mr. Cancer says: “The Dec’Humard relies on three essential points, the basic concept developed in collaboration with Elwin SA, a watchmaking subcontractor looking for perfection, the force and the industrial rigor of Humard SA and microtechnological skills of Seuret SA”. This machine is intended primarily for companies at the forefront of the watch market. They are also looking for cam autos for the production of parts in larger series. They find the answers within our group”.
Cam operated machines in 2014? A solution for the future!
If some high precision turners have chosen to work only with NC machines and put old cam machines out of their workshops, others have an exact opposite approach and wish to add overhauled cam machines to their NC production areas. A priori three assets as stated here below are contradicting three elements commonly heard on the market and we will see with Mr. Cancer that cam machines are highly needed in 2014.
1 – There are qualified operators
“The job of high precision turner has changed and we see that several institutions and companies train cam-controlled machines specialists. Their skills are highly valuated and that also means that in term of remuneration, the job is very interesting” says Mr. Cancer. Moreover, looking at Seuret SA’s staff, we can discover many young enthusiasts who continue the tradition.
2 – Cam machines are accurate
“The requirements both in terms of geometric and dimensional accuracies and surface finishes have largely increased, notably in the watchmaking field, and a machine overhauled by Seuret SA perfectly meets all these requirements” explains the director. Active in overhaul for 50 years the company has accumulated and documented know-how that is probably unique in the world. This allows the company to offer machines of exemplary quality and precision.
3 – Overhauls brings good return
“Complete overhaul costs are not negligible, but they remain largely lower than the acquisition of new machines. And once overhauled, these machines offer the opportunity to produce at very high speed for decades” adds Mr. Cancer.
Many services offered
The core business of Seuret SA is the overhaul of mechanical machines, mainly cam controlled single spindle automatic lathes, but also other types as gear cutting machines for example. Mr. Cancer says: “We have great known-how in this field and we have already overhauled hundreds of machines. Today, we consider diversifying into other types of machines that require the same skills”. And if the director does not say more about it, it is quite easy to imagine other kind of mechanical machines, for example multispindle lathes. In addition to overhauls, the company offers breakdown services for cam machines and also proposes an efficient spare parts department.
Humard Automation SA uses the skills in microtechnology of Seuret SA to
build the Dec’Humard. With this machine that completes its overhaul service,
the group offers complementary products; cam-controlled and NC to cover all
needs in very high precision machining in small diameter.
To offer a new life to machines
A machine that leaves the Seuret workshops is like new, painting is new, beds and slides are scrapped and assembled within a few microns tolerances… they are as in day one. Mr. Cancer tells us: “Machines are upgraded to match the precision and quality standards demanded by today’s most demanding markets, for example watchmaking. Our customers tell us that we offer the best overhauled machines on the market”. In conclusion the Director adds: “In addition to their numerical control lathes, today many companies are inclined to use this means of production, which offers very high speed and very competitive prices. We’re here to help them in Switzerland and in Europe”.
Seuret SA in Delémont!
We wanted to know what are the reasons and the consequences for customers of the future move. Mr. Cancer says: “At the level of quality of our products and services, nothing will change. We are recognized to provide a first class delivery and we will continue. But this will be done in much more suitable premises and better conditions for our employees. Due to the closeness with Humard Automation SA, we will be able to better benefit from synergies between the various activities of the group”. A priori it is not intended to significantly increase the delivery capacity in the short term, the CEO is very clear: “We’ve analyzed the market and of course have clear ideas for the future, there is great potential, but we do not want to grow at any price”.
Source: Eurotec No 393 (02/2014)
