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Size makes all the difference

For MAC Maschinen- und Metallbau GmbH (MAC), a company based in Chemnitz, Germany, that has specialised in the machining of castings of over two metres, quality and reliability are two essential properties.

MAC Maschinen- und Metallbau GmbHwas founded by Peter Rottluff back in 1990 and today employs a staff of around 40. Peter heads up the company together with his son, Uwe Rottluff, who as an additional Managing Director of the business is primarily responsible for purchasing. The Rottluffs explain their strategy: “We seek out elements of our market that go beyond what any company can offer and set ourselves apart through the level of quality and reliability we offer.” As a result of its many years of experience, MAC is able to offer customers a comprehensive range of services. But it is the company’s employees that the Rottluffs are particularly proud of; employees with whom they maintain a close relationship: “Many of them have been with us for over 15 and 20 years. They form the foundation for delivering the flexibility and the high level of quality for which we are known.”

The second pillar in the company’s business development strategy is modern CNC production capabilities. The Chemnitz-based company, which is medium in size, has adopted a strategic position in this respect: “Our focus is on milling large castings. That is why we use CNC machines that offer us the scope to precisely machine rough castings of over two metres to within an accuracy of μm.”

The pool of machines in the production hall is clearly dominated by Heckert machinery that is also based in Chemnitz. The close partnership the company shares with this long-standing machine manufacturer is something that MAC holds dear. Peter Rottluff himself even took on service tasks for Heckert machinery during the transitional period in Germany’s history known as “die Wende”. “I was well aware of the high level of quality offered by these machining centres, and being in close physical proximity to suppliers is always an advantage,” the Managing Director notes.

While the Rottluffs initially used a number of the smaller CWK 630 horizontal Heckert centres in their business operations, in 2009 they dared to take the step up to larger dimensions. They invested in a Heckert HEC 1250 P Athletic horizontal machining centre equipped with an additional quill, which can extend to up to 500 mm. The machine, which also features a double pallet changer, offers travel paths of 2,200 mm on the X axis, 1,500 mm on the Y axis and 1,850 mm on the Z axis. The maximum diameter of the workpiece interference circle is 2,400 mm. An NC rotary table accounts for the valuable fourth axis, which, when used with skill, significantly reduces the number of clamping positions required. “Thanks to the HEC 1250 P Athletic, we are able to cover a significantly wider range of products and services,” explains Peter Rottluff. “For example, we can pack all axles for construction machinery into the machine and machine these down to the μm range in a rough or precision process.”

The fact that the company bosses have ordered a second machine after just two years is testament to how impressed the duo are with the Heckert HEC 1250 P. Peter Rottluff explains: “With the HEC centres, Heckert has retained proven features such as the robust, durable construction of the machine, but also brought essential details to the cutting edge of technology.” At the beginning of the year, MAC extended its track of success even further and ordered a HEC 800 horizontal machining centre.

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