Two solutions consolidated into one: Blaser Swisslube simplifies production at Henke
A specialist in precision individual parts and small series: Henke combines a high degree of vertical integration with the ability to meet a wide variety of customer requirements in a cost-efficient manner.
Henke GmbH Zerspanungstechnik processes a wide variety of materials – from stainless steel and aluminum to cast materials – on 24 machines. For many years, the family-owned business used two different metalworking fluids for this purpose. Handling was labor-intensive, and the stability achieved did not meet expectations. The company was therefore looking for a solution that would simplify production workflows and allow for consistently stable processes. After a one-year test phase, Henke opted for B-Cool Motec 501 from Blaser Swisslube. Today, this metalworking fluid is used across all the machines, bringing noticeable benefits with respect to stability, handling and cost-effectiveness.
Henke GmbH Zerspanungstechnik, based in Lampertheim in southern Hesse, Germany, was founded in 1973. The family-owned business, which employs 21 people, manufactures high-precision individual parts and small series for the standard and special-purpose machine construction industries. It offers services ranging from turning, milling and drilling operations to deep-hole drilling and grinding, and all the way through to ready-to-install delivery, including material procurement and further processing. It has customers from the beverage industry, the measurement and control technology industry, and the energy and water supply industry.
Joint analysis for a custom solution: Close collaboration between Henke and Blaser Swisslube resulted in a metalworking fluid concept that is tailored precisely to production requirements
A single metalworking fluid for a host of applications: Henke’s B-Cool Motec 501 supports the machining of a wide range of materials at Henke – from stainless steel and aluminum to various cast materials.
High demands with respect to flexibility and stability
The main challenge here lies in the sheer diversity of the production tasks. Henke primarily manufactures individual parts and small series with batch sizes of between one and ten units. At the same time, its portfolio ranges from small precision components to workpieces measuring several meters long, made from steel, stainless steel, aluminum and various cast materials. The demands placed on the metalworking fluid are therefore considerable:
Henke Production Manager Alex Steinmetz, who represents the third generation of the family-owned business, explains: “Generally speaking, our orders could not be more varied. We manufacture individual parts and small series for a very wide variety of applications. Which is why we need a metalworking fluid that we can rely on to meet these requirements and deliver a stable performance long-term.”
Henke previously used two different metalworking fluids for its turning and milling operations. This resulted in more work when it came to storage, refilling, and maintaining the equipment. At the same time, it became apparent that the products that were being used did not offer the required level of stability across all areas. Henke therefore sought a solution that would work equally well across the various materials and processing methods. Several of the alternatives tested, however, failed to meet expectations. Above all, the issues of stability, foaming and service life played a central role in the search for the optimal metalworking fluid.
A single solution for production as a whole
Blaser Swisslube first came to Henke’s attention through social media and the CNC community. The company was particularly interested in the Liquid Tool approach. Following initial discussions, the experts from Henke and Blaser Swisslube jointly analyzed the manufacturing requirements. In the end, the final recommendation was: B-Cool Motec 501.
Marcus Benz, Regional Sales Manager Central at Blaser Swisslube, explains: “B-Cool Motec 501 is a mineral oil-based water-miscible metalworking fluid. It was developed for machining applications in the automotive industry and is universally suitable for machining cast iron, steel and stainless steel, as well as soft and hard aluminum alloys. With it, we have simplified things, just as we wanted: instead of two metalworking fluids, we now use a single solution for the entire production process.”
B-Cool Motec 501 was initially tested for around one year on a Hermle processing machine. With the completion of the test phase, it was then time to gradually migrate the entire production process.
Stable processes over many years
In particular, the stability of the metalworking fluid during operation proved to be a major benefit. Where metalworking fluids once needed to be changed on a regular basis, the original fill using the Blaser product has now been operating reliably for more than two and a half years.
For Alex Steinmetz, the decision has paid off: “The most important factor for us was long-term stability. Foaming is virtually no longer an issue, and we only need one metalworking fluid for the entire production process. This simplifies many storage, refilling and handling processes, and delivers additional process reliability.”
Drivings things forward, together: Henke and Blaser Swisslube also plan to optimize existing processes and explore new opportunities for greater efficiency in future. Left to right: Alex Steinmetz, Production Manager at Henke; Kim Schraft, Application Engineer at Blaser Swisslube; and Marcus Benz, Regional Sales Manager Central at Blaser Swisslube.
24 machines, numerous materials, maximum flexibility: Henke manufactures individual parts and small series for a wide variety of applications and sectors.
A “Liquid Tool”
Blaser Swisslube application engineer Kim Schraft emphasizes: “What matters is not just the performance of the metalworking fluid, but how well it suits each manufacturing process. At Henke, we have come up with a solution that reliably supports a wide variety of materials and machining processes. This results in stable processes and a significantly lower workload for employees in their daily work.”
Henke is also already using the Liquidtool AutoPilot. The system supports metalworking fluid management through automatic filling, concentration control, and measurement and documentation of important parameters. This helps to permanently ensure that the same process stability is achieved in day-to-day work.
A collaborative project with a bright future
Henke is planning to continue its collaboration with Blaser Swisslube going forward. The company is continuously investing in new machinery and developing new manufacturing processes. Working together, existing processes are to be further optimized and additional improvements realized.
Looking ahead to future projects, Marcus Benz anticipates further potential: “Henke couples the flexibility of a family-owned business with demanding technological standards. This combination creates the best conditions for jointly implementing further improvements in manufacturing.”
