4/ 2006 Supplement of Czech Business and Trade CZECH Machine Tools and CZECH Forming Machine Machines Tools CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES

CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES Traditional Branch Supplement of: Czech Business and Trade 07-08/2006 of Industry Is CONTENTS: INTRODUCTION Showing Marked 3 Traditional Branch of Industry Is Showing Marked Recovery ANALYSIS 4 Machine Tools and Forming Machines – the Foundation of Czech Industry 6 Gauge and Tool-making Sector Benefits from CR’s Membership of EU Recovery 6 Czech Woodworking Machines Score Success in Russia 8 State Programmes for Support of Small and Medium-sized Businesses WE ARE INTRODUCING Ladislav Ondřej, Department of Heavy Industry, 10 JUNKER – Synonym for Grinding Machines Ministry of Industry and Trade, CZECH TOP e-mail: [email protected], www.mpo.cz 12 TAJMAC-ZPS, a.s. – European Machine Tool Builder 14 New Equipment for Conventional Technologies 16 TOSHULIN Machining Centres Are Heading for Industrially Advanced Markets 18 High Technical Standard of ŠKODA Machine Tools The manufacturing industry has a long tradition in the 20 TOS VARNSDORF – Traditional Czech Manufacturer of Machine Tools Czech Republic. One of its main supporting pillars is the 21 System of Educating Specialists in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines manufacture and repair of machinery and equipment, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT class 29 according to the NACE branch classification of 22 Support to Manufacturing Machine Development from EU Research and Development Support Programmes economic activities. This branch covers a very wide range 23 Research into Machine Tools in the CR Continues Successfully of manufacture and servicing of equipment, indispensable EXPORTS for any investment in production technology. It is divided 24 Success of Czech Forming Machines Worldwide into seven sectors, from the construction of turbines to SURVEY machine tools and arms production and the manufacture 26 Poll of Successful Firms Operating in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines of household appliances. INFORMATION 30 Exhibitions and Trade Fairs in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines in the Development of Czech Engineering Czech Republic (2nd half of 2006) In 2005, revenue from the sale of own products and 30 Important Contacts services in comparable prices in this branch rose by PRESENTATION OF COMPANIES: 14.1 % on a year-on-year basis. Efforts to save wage 2 PRODECO, a.s. costs and investment in more advanced technologies on 9 TRATEC – CS s.r.o. the one hand and the implementation of measures 17 TOSHULIN, a.s. ensuing from the National Action Programme of 19 MODIKOV, s.r.o. 25 ALTA, a.s. Employment on the other hand led to the stabilisation of 31 MORAVIA STEEL a.s. the number of workers in the branch. Employing some 32 TOS VARNSDORF, a.s. 12.8 % of the country’s entire workforce, the average BMD, a.s., HESTEGO s.r.o., HOMMEL – CS s.r.o., Intos spol. s r.o., KOVOSVIT MAS, a.s., LIEBEZEIT number of workers employed in general engineering in HYDRAULIK, s.r.o., MESING, spol. s r.o., MGM, s.r.o., PSP Pohony a.s., TAJMAC-ZPS, a.s., ŽĎAS, a.s. 2005 has given this sector an important position within Cover photo by courtesy of TOS VARNSDORF, a.s. the Czech Republic’s manufacturing industry as a whole. Average monthly wages rose by 5.5 % and productivity MK ČR E 6379 of labour increased by 13.4 %. This bi-monthly magazine is published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech In recent years, exports in this branch have continued Republic in cooperation with the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic six times a year in English, German, French, Spanish, and Russian, as a supplement to the to grow considerably. From the foreign trade point of economic bi-monthly issued in English (Czech Business and Trade), German (Wirtschaft view the export recovery of the branch began in 2003. und Handel in der Tschechischen Republik), French (Industrie et commerce tchèques), In 2005, the branch’s balance of trade showed a high Spanish (Empresas y negocios en la República Checa), and Russian (óe¯cÍafl Úop„o‚Îfl Ë Ôe‰ÔËÌËÏaÚeθcÚ‚o). surplus amounting to approx. EUR 1.7 billion, up 245 % Managing Editor: Jana Vápeníková against 2004. In 2005, the most favourable balance was Editor: Naďa Vávrová displayed by products in NACE category 29.12 – Pumps Graphic Design: Helena Dvořáková, Miloslav Bucvan and compressors, parts, wiring – amounting to approx. Address: PP Agency, s.r.o., Myslíkova 25 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic EUR 7.7 million, and NACE 29.23 – Cooling, ventilating, Phone: +420 221 406 623, 221 406 626 air-conditioning equipment – EUR 5.4 million. The most Fax: +420 224 934 383 marked change from trade deficit in 2004 to a surplus in E-mail: [email protected] www.ppagency.cz 2005 occurred in NACE 29.4 – Machine tools, presses www.mpo.cz/cbt etc. Deadline: 31/05/2006 The trends displayed by the individual sectors of this Attitudes expressed by the authors of articles in this magazine are not necessarily branch reveal the growing competitive strength of consistent with the viewpoint of the Publisher. Czech general engineering. PP Agency Company with the ISO 9001 certified quality management system for publishing services

3 | ANALYSIS

Machine Tools and Forming Machines – the Foundation of Czech Industry

Jiří Kapounek, Economist, Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Engineering Techniques, e-mail: [email protected], www.sst.cz

Engineering is without doubt one of the Table 1 – Production and exports most important fields of human activity. Its EUR millions development influences the development Produc- Produc- Ratio Exports Exports Ratio of all other branches of any given tion tion 05/04 05/04 economy. The machine tool and forming 2005 2004 % 2005 2004 % machine sector is part of a large industrial 8456 Physical-chemical machines 0 0 0 2.696 4.526 59.6 whole and a sub-sector of the production 8457 Machining centres 84.539 59.761 141.5 47.871 44.653 107,2 of machines and equipment in the 8458 Lathes 49.611 46.330 107.1 58.535 59.754 98.0 manufacturing industry. Although this 8459 Thread drilling, boring, milling sector is not so large in terms of value, it and tread cutting machines 54.277 43.001 126.2 91.982 64.309 143.0 is the foundation of the entire Czech 8460 Grinding, sharpening, honing industry, its products influencing other and lapping machines 75.722 41.239 183.6 66.025 67.261 98.2 areas within the framework of the 8461 Planing, shaving, broaching national economy. It is the driving force and gearing machines, and saws 17.929 15.581 115.1 21.616 17.615 122.7 behind growing labour productivity and Machine tools Metal Cutting, a source of added value. Although the Total 282.078 205.912 137.0 288.725 258.118 111.9 annual volume of the world production 8462 Forming machines, including and consumption in this sector worth presses 31.460 21.232 148.2 29.546 26.016 113.6 approximately EUR 40 billion accounts for 8463 Other forming machines 0.635 1.627 39.0 3.663 2.758 132.8 less than 1 % of world engineering Metal Forming machines, total 32.095 22.859 140.4 33.209 28.774 115.4 production, it nevertheless plays a decisive Machine tools and forming role in the development of technologies in machines, total 314.173 228.771 137.3 321.934 286.892 112.2 all areas of human activity.

Classification of the manufacture of machinery and equipment welding machines, stone-working a 14.8 % drop in imports. The under NACE 29 machines, spare parts, repair and export/import balance was negative, 29.1. Machines for the production and maintenance of machine tools, manual amounting to EUR 12.3 million. The use of mechanical energy mechanised tools and instruments, output of businesses that are members of 29.2 General purpose machines assembly and installation. In 2005, the the Association was worth EUR 272.2 29.3. Agricultural and forestry machines volume of production in the million, accounting for 86.7 % of the 29.4. Machine tools and forming metalworking sector amounted to EUR total output in the machine tool and machines 314.172 million, up 37.3 % year-on-year, forming machine sector in the Czech 29.5. Special purpose machines with a 12.2 % increase in exports and Republic. 29.6. Arms and ammunition 29.7. Household appliances The production of machine tools and Graph 1 – Production of machine tools and forming machines in the CR forming machines in the Czech Republic in 2001-2005 forms a substantial part of the Production of machine tools and forming machines in the CR country’s production of machinery and (without spare parts, accessories, overhauls) equipment.

Production of Machine Tools and Forming Machines in the CR in 2005

In 2005, the volume of produced machine EUR million tools and forming machines amounted to EUR 739.410 million. Besides metal cutting and metal forming machines, this volume also includes other machines in sub-class 29.4, such as woodworking and Metal forming production Metal cutting production Total production in the CR

| 4 CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES

The year-on-year growth of Table 2 – Imports and consumption output is apparent especially in EUR million the following groups of machine Imports Imports Ratio Consump- Consump- Ratio tools and forming machines: 05/04 tion tion 05/04 Group 8457 – machining centres, up by 2005 2004 % 2005 2004 % 41.5 %. Total machining centre 8456 Physical-chemical machines 38.769 32.469 119.4 36.073 27.943 129.1 production amounted to EUR 84.539 8457 Machining centres 50.393 44.167 114.1 87.060 59.275 146.9 million. The largest volumes in this group 8458 Lathes 57.413 46.765 122.8 48.489 33.341 145.4 were accounted for by numerically 8459 Thread drilling, boring, milling, controlled vertical machining centres, and thread cutting machines 29.899 31.147 96.0 -7.806 9.839 -79.3 amounting to EUR 43.718 million. 8460 Grinding, sharpening, honing, Group 8459 – thread drilling, boring, and lapping machines 29.452 28.326 104.0 39.149 2.304 1699.3 milling and cutting machines, increase of 8461 Planing, shaving, broaching, 26.2 %. Total production of these and gearing machines and saws 14.773 8.312 177.7 11.087 6.278 176.6 machines reached the value of EUR Machine tools, total 220.699 191.186 115.4 214.051 138.979 154.0 54.277 million. The largest volumes in 8462 Forming machines, including this group were accounted for by presses 100.843 186.920 53.9 102.757 182.137 56.4 numerically controlled combined boring 8463 Other forming machines 12.728 14.102 90.3 9.700 12.970 74.8 and milling machines, amounting to EUR Metal forming machines, total 113.571 201.022 56.5 112.457 195.107 57.6 36.009 million. Machine tools and forming Group 8460 – grinding, sharpening, machines, total 334.270 392.208 85.2 326.508 334.087 97.7 honing and lapping machines, with a year-on-year growth of 83.6 %. Total production of grinding machines amounted to EUR 75.722 million. The largest volume of production in this combined boring and milling machines, – physical-chemical machines (up group was accounted for by numerically worth EUR 60.367 million, followed by 19.4 %), and group 8457 – machining controlled roll face grinding machines planning, shaving, broaching and centres (up 14.1 %). All other groups totalling EUR 37.268 million. gearing machines, and saws in group recorded a fall in the imports of machine Group 8461 – planing, shaving, 8461. In 2005, the total exports of these tools and forming machines against broaching, and gearing machines and machines reached a value of EUR 21.616 2004, when total imports displayed saws, growth by 15.1 %. Total million. The largest export items in this a relatively high value of EUR 392.207 production in this group was worth EUR group were other (not circular) saws, million. In 2005, Germany was once 17.929 million. The largest volumes totalling EUR 18.949 million. again the CR’s leading importer for this were accounted for by metal cutting As regards the territorial structure of category of machines. A significant drop power saws, worth EUR 17.049 million. exports, in comparison with 2004, the in imports was recorded in trade with Group 8462 – the production of 2005 volume of machine tool and Japan and Italy, whilst Spain and Taiwan forming machines grew year-on-year by forming machine exports to Russia rose displayed moderate growth. 48.2 %, amounting to EUR 31.460 by EUR 8.088 million, while the export of The manufacture of machine tools and million. The largest volume of these machines to Germany and Slovakia forming machines reached its maximum production was accounted for by other decreased (by EUR 2.827 million and both worldwide and in the Czech presses – rivet, nut, and bolt presses (not EUR 2.588 million, respectively). China Republic in 2000 and 2001. In 2004, numerically controlled) - worth EUR has become the Czech Republic’s fourth after a period of stagnation, and in 12.369 million. largest export destination, with exports response to worldwide recession, this worth EUR 24.993 million. A slight sector gradually began to recover, both Czech Exports of Machine Tools increase in comparison with 2004 was in the world and in the Czech Republic, and Forming Machines in 2005 displayed by the USA, where the volume especially after the CR’s accession to the In 2005, Czech exports of machine tools of exports increased by EUR 1.487 EU. In general, the world economy finds and forming machines amounted to EUR million. itself in a phase of recovery. This is 321.935 million, of which EUR 237.332 directly affecting the global production million were accounted for by the export Czech Imports of Machine Tools of machine tools and forming machines, of machine tools and forming machines and Forming Machines in 2005 which surpassed the 2001 level in 2005 manufactured by members of the Czech imports of machine tools and with an output worth EUR 41.7 million, Association, representing 73.7 % of forming machines in 2005 amounted to thus reaching the world maximum. The total Czech exports. Growth was EUR 334.270 million, which is 14.8 % year 2006 and the coming years look displayed by group 8459 – thread less than in the previous year. The largest promising for the machine tool and drilling, boring, milling, and cutting growth of machine tool and forming forming machine sector, which is machines, up 43.0 % year-on-year. machine imports was recorded in group expected to follow an upward trend, Exports of this group reached a value of 8461 – planing, shaving, broaching, and with year-on-year growth of both EUR 91.982 million. The largest volume gearing machines and saws (up production and exports. of exports in this group was 77.7 %), followed by group 8458 accomplished by numerically controlled – lathes (up 22.8 %), group 8456

5 | ANALYSIS

Gauge and Tool-making Sector Benefits from CR’s Membership of EU

Petr Borovan, Secretary General of the Gauge and Toolmakers’ Association, e-mail: [email protected], www.svnm.cz

The Gauge and Tool-making investment in engineering equipment. Both programme of grants financed from EU Sector in the Czech Republic is partners benefit from sharing know-how funds comprises important elements of a Consolidated Branch. and from the mutually advantageous stimulation. The Innovation programmes This is largely due to the favourable division of labour between the foreign and programmes based on cross-border situation in Czech and European parent firm and the Czech company. In co-operation are considered a considerable engineering and the Czech Republic’s general it can be said that the development help, the use of which will enable the tool- membership of the European Union. The of these businesses is showing signs of making sector, a sector where high value is industry’s ownership structure has been determined implementation of long-term added to input material, to maintain its consolidated and both export contacts and business visions. Another important group position within the European economy. foreign ties of co-operation have been includes enterprises privatised by their own established and stabilised. In 2005, exports management, in the absence of a foreign accounted for 35 % of the turnover, the partner, and consequently with limited average annual per capita turnover in the investment possibilities, managed, Examples of successful gauge and branch amounting to EUR 45 300. however, by people who consider the tool-making companies: The best indicators of productivity, firm’s development to be their mission in NAREX Česká Lípa, a.s. www.narex.cz efficiency and year-on-year growth are life and who are prepared to fight for new PRAMET TOOLS, s.r.o. www.pramet.cz displayed by those firms that have a solid ideas and risk to realise them. YORK s.r.o. www.york.cz and financially strong foreign partner NAREX BYSTŘICE, s.r.o. www.narexby.cz enabling them to profit from the Importance of Support STROJÍRNY POLDI, s.r.o. www.strojpoldi.cz partner’s international trading network and Programmes ZPS-FN, a.s. www.zps-fn.cz from the availability of large sums for For the tool-making sector, too, the

Czech Woodworking Machines Score Success in Russia

Karel Svoboda, Director, Czech Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association, e-mail: [email protected], www.svdsz.cz

The Woodworking Machinery Czech Trade Promotion Agency/ SVDSZ is preparing the participation of Manufacturers’ Association (SVDSZ) CzechTrade, Czech companies presented Czech firms in the LESDREVMASH 2006 associates Czech manufacturing firms, their products at the Wood and Moscow exhibition of woodworking currently numbering 14, as well as the Woodworking Exhibition in Arkhangelsk. machines, Russia’s most important Faculty of Forestry of the Mendel The event was attended by 43 exhibition in this area, which will be held University of Agriculture and Forestry in representatives of woodworking plants in September 2006. The exhibition is Brno. The Association’s chief activities from the Arkhangelsk area. The supported under the framework of the include the holding of exhibitions and presentation scored success with pro-export policy of the Ministry of trade fairs at home and abroad, mediation representatives of regional and local firms. Industry and Trade. Another event is the of foreign ties of co-operation, and News of a possible financing of complete presentation of Czech companies in running an information service in the area technologies by ALTA of Brno Ekaterinburg and Sankt Petersburg at the of production programmes and (www.alta.cz) was very favourably TEHNODREV exhibition at the end of marketing. received. Currently, work is in progress on 2006, which is being prepared by the several technological projects in the area Association in cooperation with Czech Products Presented of timber waste processing, the delivery of CzechTrade. in Russia complete technologies for sawmills and In spring 2006, with the assistance of the for the production of construction balk.

| 6 ANALYSIS

State Programmes for Support of Small and Medium-sized Businesses

Luděk Hanáček, Manager of EU Projects and Grants Division, Deloitte BPO G&I a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.deloitte.cz

In 2003, the Government of the Czech TANDEM Programme opportunities have opened up for Czech Republic approved programmes of the TANDEM is intended to provide support organisations and institutions to gain Ministry of Industry and Trade in support to projects for industrial research and subsidies for projects in the area of of research and development financed development, the results of which will research and development not only from from the state budget. These include be used in new products, technologies, the state budget of the Czech Republic, IMPULS and TANDEM, programmes and services following further follow-up but also from programmes co-financed launched once again in 2006 as in industrial research and development. from EU Structural Funds. For the new previous years. Both programmes invite Projects under this programme must be 2007-2013 programming period, the research workers and institutions to implemented by special-purpose Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports submit projects, which are to be groups, i.e. project teams, consisting of is preparing the Operational Programme launched in 2007. groups of workers from industrial Research and Development for organisations and researchers who work Innovation, which sets itself three IMPULS Programme in academic, university, public research, priorities. The aim of the first priority – IMPULS focuses on the support of and other institutions. All organisations Enhancing research and development research and development of new involved in the project must have their capacities – is to ensure the continuous materials, industrial products, permanent seat registered in the Czech and lasting generation of new production technologies, information Republic. Every project included in the knowledge in research and development and control products, and technologies. TANDEM programme must ensure the in regions, which is to be used for the It will be open to projects for the transfer of its results from the level of sustainable development of the research and development of basic research to the level of industrial economy and a rapid and efficient manufacturing machines to be built by research and development. State aid for spreading of knowledge at all levels. Czech manufacturers and groups the implementation of a project can The second priority – Development of formed for this purpose. Support will amount to 25-100%, as in the case of co-operation between the public and also go to projects the completion of the IMPULS programme, and projects private sector – sets itself the aim to which is expected within three years of must be completed by 2010. support lasting and efficient co- the granting of funds from the state Also in the TANDEM programme, the operation between public research budget. Their return on investment assessment commissions recommended organisations, universities, and other must not exceed five years following that support is granted to projects in the institutions and enterprises, and in completion. The level of state aid area of manufacturing technologies. doing to ensure that knowledge is granted to the project can amount to Examples of successful projects include transferred from research and 25-100% of recognized costs of the "Research and development of development to the practical users. The project. In recent years, the IMPULS mechatronic elements and systems for last priority of the Operational programme assessment commissions spinning machines" submitted by Rieter Programme is Raising the capacity of recommended several interesting CZ, which was awarded a subsidy of universities for tertiary education, with projects in the area of machine tools approximately EUR 417 000, and the clear aim of increasing the offer and and forming machines for financing. For "Research and development of raising the education level of regions by example, the machine-tool category machines for volume and surface broadening the capacity of universities included a project entitled "Series of SP forming", which was submitted by for tertiary education. The Ministry of 430 machining centres" by KOVOSVIT ŽĎAS and received a subsidy of Education has already published the first MAS, which was granted a subsidy approximately EUR 124 000. draft of the Operational Programme; amounting to EUR 346 000. The project a call to submit projects is expected in "Development of an FVC 160 CNC EU Structural Funds 2007. portal-type machining centre with a tool With the accession of the Czech magazine" by STROJÍRNA TYC was Republic to the European Union, awarded a subsidy of approximately EUR 80 000 and a project by TOS KUŘIM – OS for the development of a portal-type machining centre with adjustable cross rail was granted a subsidy of more at: www.deloitte.cz approximately EUR 148 000.

| 8 WE ARE INTRODUCING

JUNKER – Synonym for Grinding Machines

Jiří Čeněk, Administration Manager, Erwin Junker Grinding Technology Mělník Ltd., e-mail: [email protected], www.junker-group.cz

JUNKER Maschinen was founded by Erwin Junker in Nordrach, Germany, in 1962. From the very beginning, the firm has been developing machines intended for the precision tool industry. Today, it provides complete deliveries of systems for practically all sectors that employ grinding and straightening equipment. Thanks to the development of new designs of machines for the complete machining of demanding parts, such as camshafts and crankshafts that employ modern technologies, the firm found its way into the automotive industry in the early 1990s. The technological lead and advanced design of Junker grinding machines are based on almost a hundred patents. The most important of them is the introduction of the QUICKPOINT technology, high- JUNKER assembly hall in Mělník speed grinding with CBN and diamond charged grinding wheel, the three-point The current holding arrangement of depending on the specialisation. clamping system as well as the JUNKER is represented by organisational Products from the CR mainly include machine’s safety system. Many of the units in Germany, the Czech Republic, the CNC plain grinding machines for external firm’s original technical designs have USA, and China. and internal grinding. Another group are influenced the development of grinding CNC centreless grinders and CNC surface technology as a whole. Erwin Junker Grinding Technology double-wheel grinders. Examples of in the CR advanced technologies include the Saturn The Company’s Current Activities The company came to the Czech Republic machine project, a machine based on CBN The firm’s current strategy focuses on three in 1992, when it privatised three former grinding and the Jumat 3000/50 machine, grinding technologies named according to units of the TOS Hostivař concern. Later, in which employs CBN technology and which their target use: AUTOMOTIVE, TOOLTEC, 1999, another Czech company became won a prize at the 2005 International and METALWORKING. The company’s core part of the JUNKER Group. Engineering Fair in Brno. activity is its AUTOMOTIVE programme, Following privatisation, all manufacturing The company’s long-term strategy is to which is subjected to the strict standards units located in the Czech Republic, build an innovative firm, which is and conditions that govern the automobile a country with a long tradition in grinding expressed, among other things, by a new industry. machine production, were radically concept entitled Evolution2. A new series Company clientele include a large modernised. Today, thanks to their high of products designed on a modular basis number of world firms, among others car technical standard, their output is largely will secure a number of important manufacturers and contractors for the responsible for the dynamic turnover of advantages and higher profitability. The automobile industry, such as Audi, Bosch, the entire Junker Holding. assets of this solution are: a greater Daimler-Chrysler, General Motors, INA, The works in Mělník is now the principal certainty in the planning of the grinding LUK, Scania, Volkswagen Group, and manufacturing works of JUNKER Group. In process, higher output, a reduction in the Volvo. Customers also include tool Čtyřkoly, high-precision spindles are operating costs of training and servicing manufactures and engineering companies manufactured for Junker grinders in and a broadening of the prospects of that employ JUNKER products in all types addition to filtering and exhaustion further use of the equipment. In general, of engineering production from single systems bearing the LTA label. In the BSH the new generation machine concept not piece to mass production. works in Holice, a new assembly hall has only brings good prospects for Junker, but In terms of territorial structure, most of just been opened, a part of which is the first and foremost, it guarantees the JUNKER’s customers are located in Europe, Technological Centre for the innovation of economic future of customers. although the company is currently machines and grinding technology, from expanding its business activities to Asia both the theoretical and practical aspect. and South America. An important project The finalisation of machines is also was recently implemented in China. carried out in other units outside the CR, Photo: Erwin Junker Grinding Technology archives

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TAJMAC-ZPS, a.s. – European Machine Tool Builder

Hana Modlitbová, Advertising, TAJMAC-ZPS, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.tajmac-zps.cz

TAJMAC-ZPS, a joint stock company manufacture of various components. length of up to 2500 mm. The based in Zlín, has a tradition of more The company employs 1 100 people MANURHIN K’MX sliding headstock than a hundred years in engineering who ensure the entire production machines are for the time being the production. Machine tools were first process. most recent acquisition of TAJMAC-ZPS. made under the MAS trademark, in the In 2005, TAJMAC-MTM became the latter half of the 20th century they Current Production Programme majority owner of the MANURHIN were manufactured under the name of The company’s present core programme K’MX trademark, and in 2006 the ZPS, and today they are produced as is the production of multi-spindle production of sliding headstock TAJMAC-ZPS machines. Due to their automatic lathes, sliding headstock machines was launched by TAJMAC-ZPS consistently high quality, they are in machines, vertical machining centres, in Zlín. great demand on the most significant horizontal machining centres, TAJMAC-ZPS has the use of advanced engineering goods markets (Europe, multipurpose machining centres, and know-how and employs the CAD/CAM America, Asia). The company is a part CNC lathes. Pro/ENGINEER system and the of the TAJMAC GROUP, which The production programme of Pro/MECHANIKA finite elements associates following companies: TAJMAC-ZPS is influenced by the method. TAJMAC-MTM, TAJMAC-MSW, ZPS programme of the Italian company In its production base, which Slévárna (Foundry), ZPS Generální TAJMAC-MTM, which acquired ZPS in comprises a modern grey and ductile opravy (Overhauls), TECNIMETAL, June 2000, as an experienced firm on iron foundry, the firm uses top-standard Wickman, MONEO, and MANURHIN the specialised multi-spindle automatic equipment and technologies of leading K’MX. lathe market. By combining original world manufacturers. The workmanship MORI-SAY, Wickman, and TAJMAC of production and assembly workers is Modern Production models made in Zlín, TAJMAC-ZPS has traditionally high, making it possible for Technologies created the best possible foundation for the firm to offer its customers The company’s focus is at present on the production of high-quality multi- comprehensive solutions for the the development, production, and sale spindle automatic lathes and other technological and production cycle. of machine tools, whilst employing the multi-spindle application technologies. most sophisticated technologies. In the area of multi-spindle automatic Awards for TAJMAC-ZPS TAJMAC-ZPS has design departments at lathes the company now ranks among The success of machines built by its disposal with over 70 qualified the world’s top manufacturers, TAJMAC-ZPS and the skill and designers, a specialised foundry with measuring up to companies such as workmanship of the company’s workers capability to produce complex castings Shutte and Gildemeister. has been attested, among other things, of grey and ductile iron (one of the Another TAJMAC-ZPS product range by the awards the company has won at most modern foundries in Europe), vast are the three- and five-axis vertical specialised competitions, specifically the and well equipped machining machining centres designed for heavy award of a Gold Medal for its MCV workshops, a great pattern casting loads at a high quality. The table sizes 1210 vertical machining centre at the capacity, high-quality assembly range from 1200 mm x 510 mm to International Engineering Fair in Brno in workshops, including workshops for 2200 mm x 800 mm, and the machines 2005 and the prestigious award in the precision assembly of high-speed are very suitable for machining heavy a competition held by AV ENGINEERING, spindles, complete electro-assembly of moulds. Optionally, the machines can a.s., where the company’s designers machine tools and their components, be equipped with an automatic pallet won the main prize – the AV AWARDS and a prototype development and changer for two pallets. Another group 2005 for the best project "MCV 1210 testing centre. It also offers the comprises high-quality three- and five- vertical machining centre", and the adjustment of machines to fit the axis horizontal machining centres. workers of the application centre won customer’s workpiece. There is a model with two 400 mm an award in the NC manufacture The production of containers and x 400 mm pallets and highly efficient category for the project "Raising the equipment for export packaging, models with 630 mm x 800 mm pallets. utility value of the H 40 machine based including the company’s own terminal The company’s basic production on the productive blade machining for railway transport, is a matter of programme also includes CNC lathes technology". course. This potential makes it possible and machining centres with a maximum for TAJMAC-ZPS to be self-reliant in the 80 mm diameter of bar stock and shaft

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New Equipment for Conventional Technologies

Viktor Horanský, Head of Marketing Department, ŽĎAS, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.zdas.cz

In mid-2006, the ŽĎAS joint stock company will celebrate 55 years since production was launched within its metallurgical and engineering complex based in Žďár nad Sázavou. From the very beginning, the company’s programme has been divided into two lines of production: the metallurgical part, where it specialises in the manufacture of castings and forgings, and the engineering part, where it focuses on rolling mill equipment, forming machines, and tools. An important step five years ago was the entry of a strategic partner into the firm and the incorporation of ŽĎAS into the Železiarne Podbrezová Group. Železiarne Podbrezová steelworks is one of the most important tube manufacturers in Europe. In addition to ŽĎAS, it has acquired other significant companies, such as ŠKODA TS Plzeň and PRAKO Prakovce. Assembly lines for the production of valves for combustion engines have been supplied to China Top Products Manufactured by and Iran, for instance ŽĎAS, a.s. In the area of open die forging, a number of unique machines and equipment have straightening press and its LKJP crank the company’s engineering segments is been manufactured by ŽĎAS, at the press to Germany. further augmented by the export of more world’s top standards. Integrated forging At present the company is modernising than 50% of its output. Its metallurgical sets have been supplied for instance to the equipment of its hydraulic forming segment is doing even better with Nakamura Iron Works in Japan, BGH presses and forging sets. In this area, deliveries for power plants, as well as Edelstahl Lippendorf in Germany, and ŽĎAS has gained a dominant position on equipment for manufacturers of Wyman and Gordon in Great Britain. In important markets, such as those of components for large transport aircraft. Its co-operation with ŠKODA TS Plzeň, the Japan, Germany, India, and Egypt. partners and customers include important company has also exported a large ŽĎAS manufactures a variety of lines for firms, such as VAGL Linz, Energomash, production plant to Iran. It has also the longitudinal and transversal division of SMS Demag, ŠKODA Power, and Wyman exported, for instance, its CDT 1000 materials for firms processing materials for and Gordon. the manufacture of car These references indicate the distribution bodies. It has acquired of the company’s exports to different excellent references for territories. Nearly 30 % of its total exports its deliveries to US Steel go to the German market. Another 30 % Košice of Slovakia. is divided between Slovakia and the Important deliveries of United Kingdom, and other interesting rolling mill equipment markets include Russia, Spain, Austria, include the delivery of and Italy. the coasting section It goes without saying that deliveries of for the Starý Oskol entire plants, quite often the case in rolling mill in Russia and deliveries made by ŽĎAS, take several an XRK9-100 straight- years to finalise commercially and ening machine to technically and very often significantly Shanghai. influence the structure of actual exports at the time of their execution. High Export Dynamics Assembly lines for the mass production of automobile wheel disks The high productivity of Photo: ŽĎAS archives

| 14 CZECH TOP

TOSHULIN Machining Centres Are Heading for Industrially Advanced Markets

Pavlína Křepelková, Sales Manager, TOSHULIN, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.toshulin.cz

Engineering production is a branch with mm and they are fitted with top- a long tradition in the Czech Republic and standard electronic elements, which, it is one of the main pillars of industrial together with the traditionally high- production. TOSHULIN, a.s. is a leading precision mechanical parts, are world manufacturer of vertical lathes and a guarantee of high output, vertical machining centres with a long reliability, and precision of tradition. The history of the company machining. All these types of dates back to 1949, when the first machines are intended for work in foundation stone was laid for the new demanding and complicated engineering works. industrial applications and are adjusted to the individual Development Is a Prerequisite of requirements of customers. Success on Advanced Markets The machines are supplemented Thanks to the work of its development with a wide range of accessories for laboratories in Hulín and Brno, the use of workpiece manipulation, the modern manufacturing and assembly checking of the tool and the technologies and distribution through the workpiece, ecological guards, and global trading network, TOSHULIN was other facilities. able to focus on industrially advanced markets after 1989. Machines made by Comprehensive Service TOSHULIN, a.s. sell with success on Customers increasingly demand demanding markets, such as that of the investment intensive technological USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, and units with a large number of France. adjustments to meet their specific POWERTURN 3000 turning machining centre The company supplies its machines to needs. TOSHULIN a.s. focuses on the energy, aircraft, space, and transport custom deliveries and provides its Other important activities of the firm, in industry markets, as well as to small customers with comprehensive services, addition to the manufacture of new manufacturers and contractors of large including the offer of machines best machines, include the modernisation and firms. During its existence, the firm has suited to their purposes, the required overhaul of machine tools. The highly delivered more than 13 500 machine technology, its production and assembly, competent execution of the overhauls tools to 60 countries worldwide. Its aim is delivery, installation, and the supply of and modernisation is based on to maintain and promote co-operation after-sale services. The good functioning a combination of the high quality of with Czech and foreign customers alike. of this system relies on systematic mechanical machine parts and the most The most important include, for example, research and the introduction into advanced electronic elements. companies such as Rolls-Royce, SNECMA, development of the latest technological GE Aircraft Engines, as well as many and construction know-how. others.

TOSHULIN Products History of TOSHULIN The company’s core programme is the manufacture of REV, SKL, SKA, • Building the factory 1949 POWERTURN, POWERTURN Y, SKG, SKAT, • Construction of the first vertical lathe 1952 and SKIQ vertical lathes and vertical • Construction of a new SKQ vertical lathe with patented exchange device 1974 machining centres. • First machine with palletisation and C-axis 1986 The different series of machines • Privatisation of the company 1996 produced by TOSHULIN vary in their tool • New POWERTURN vertical lathe generation 1999 exchange systems, the cross section of the slide ram, and the general design of • New generation of SKL machines 2000 the machines. • New generation of heavy duty SKG and POWERTURN machines 2002 The lathes come in types with table • First machine with chuck plate slide along theY-axis 2004 diameters ranging from 800 mm to 7000 • New generation of REV machines 2005 Photo: TOSHULIN archives

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High Technical Standard of ŠKODA Machine Tools

Jindřich Švehla, Marketing, ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL s.r.o., e-mail: [email protected], www.cz-smt.cz

The history of the manufacture of machine machines, there is tools bearing the ŠKODA trademark dates a lighter series of back to 1911. As its production and exports FCW horizontal were growing, the company became milling machines a symbol of high technical standard, with spindles 145 reliability, and perfect workmanship. These and 150 mm in qualities rank ŠKODA among the diameter. The FCW world’s leading manufacturers of machine ŠKODA machines tools. In 1993, the European organisation have linear EMRC awarded ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL guideways. the Euromarket Award 1993 in Horizontal machine appreciation of the outstanding technical workplaces can be standard of its products. ŠKODA MACHINE fitted with TDV rotary TOOL boasts several other important prizes tables with bearing the company has gained at international capacity ranging exhibitions and trade fairs. from 25 to 250 tonnes and with Research and Development – Key various milling and to Position of Global Leader boring heads and The company has a strong research, other accessories. development, and construction-design A new series of potential based on the skills of its creative unit-built ŠKODA workers, which enables it to maintain its heavy-duty lathes lead in the technical standard of its bearing the products. A number of its original solutions traditional ŠKODA SR have been patented. For example, the label has been placed Fly milling device of the ŠKODA SR lathe company was a pioneer in fitting its heavy- on the market. It is duty machine tools with numerically used for machining workpieces with LIMITED. With the arrival of the new controlled systems. The first machines diameters of 1 000 mm to 5 200 mm and strategic partner, ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL using these systems of control aroused weighing between 16 and 250 tonnes. has gained access to Russian markets, as well-deserved interest on the part of All these are modular unit-built machines TELONIA TRADING LIMITED is backed by specialists from all over the world. that make it possible to react promptly to Russian capital, specifically the ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL s.r.o. is currently customers’ needs and allow the Stankolmpex Group. number one on the heavy-duty horizontal construction of special workplaces, for The strong capital background (after its boring and milling machine market. It also example for working rotors for turbo- arrival, the new owner raised the holds a leading position in the area of generators, steam turbines, heavy-duty firm’s registered capital to EUR 15 million) heavy-duty lathes and special-purpose crankshafts and other kinds of heavy and the broad production base allow machines. To maintain and strengthen its workpieces of demanding shape. a substantial increase of production and co- share of the market, it regularly broadens ŠKODA machines are used in workshops operation, which consequently leads to its product range by adding new items to it. that employ highly efficient top-standard a shortening of delivery terms and the technology. New orders placed with reduction of production costs. New Items in the ŠKODA ŠKODA in recent years are worth more MACHINE TOOL Production than EUR 50 million a year. For their wide ŠKODA Products for Export Programme working range, high installed output, and More than 90 % of the company’s output In recent years, ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL precision the machines are used for is exported. The most important outlets are has carried out a complete innovation of its efficient and accurate machining of heavy China, Germany, South Korea, Russia, the key products. The ŠKODA boring machines and large-size workpieces by means of Ukraine, India, Japan, the Netherlands, are represented by a new series of heavy- milling, boring, drilling, and turning. Finland, and Sweden. duty HCW tailstock horizontal boring and The company’s customers include milling machines with a spindle 150-300 New Owner Helps towards the companies such as Siemens, Sandvik, mm in diameter, the company’s core Development of the Company Alstom, Wärtsilä, Doosan, Hyundai, business. All ŠKODA HCW machines have The company’s further development is Daewoo, Mitsubishi Heavy, and Japan Steel hydrostatic guideways. Besides the heavy- guaranteed, among other things, by the Works. duty range of horizontal boring and milling new majority owner, TELONIA TRADING photo: ŠKODA MACHINE TOOL

| 18 CZECH TOP

TOS VARNSDORF – Traditional Czech Manufacturer of Machine Tools

Ladislav Plaňanský, Publicity Dept., TOS VARNSDORF a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.tosvarnsdorf.cz

TOS Varnsdorf was founded in 1903, and European Union. With the emergence of regained its position in Canada and the from the very beginning its core numerically controlled machines, which USA, and it also exports to Central and programme has been the manufacture of the company was one of the first in the Eastern Europe, not to mention French- machine tools. During the entire time of former Czechoslovakia to build, its exports and English-speaking Arab states. its existence, it has never interrupted its to the European Union gradually production and, on the contrary, it has predominated, Germany becoming its Technologically Advanced gradually enlarged not only its product largest customer for decades to come. At Machines range and volume of production, but also that time, TOS Varnsdorf was already The company has always placed special the volume and size of its exports. It considered a synonym of high-quality and emphasis on development and the use of produced its first horizontal boring and advanced products that work reliably far the most advanced technologies, and it milling machine in 1915, and in the beyond the customary service life of continues and will continue to do so in the 1930s this type of machine began to comparable machines. The company was future. Its production programme includes dominate its production programme. In privatised in 1995, and in 1996 it became horizontal milling and boring machines the late 1940s, the company settled into a joint stock company. and machining centres, from the simplest the specialisation in horizontal boring and horizontal boring and milling machines for milling machines. From the very Foreign Trade simple operations to efficient machining beginning, the company has been During the entire time of its existence, the centres, machines for working large and a private manufacturer and exporter of company has always been one of three heavy-duty workpieces, machines for products not only to Europe, but also to largest machine tool makers in the Czech cutting different shapes, and five-axis the American continent and to Asia. After Republic. In its line of business it ranks machining and high-speed cutting 1945, the company exported the major among leading European manufacturers machines. All machines are provided with part of its output to the former Soviet and exports its products to many a wide range of optional equipment. The Union. With time, however, it began countries. Its main customers are company presents its products each year increasingly to export its machines to West businesses in the EU states, with sales to at the most important engineering fairs European countries, later members of the Russia, China and India growing. It has and exhibitions, and it is a regular Gold Medal winner at the Brno International Engineering Fair, always in appreciation of its technologically inspiring and advanced machines (in recent years the company was awarded for its TOStec PRIMA and TOStec OPTIMA machining centres.) The current range of machine tools, together with the development of new generations of machining centres, which will appear in the near future, create a favourable foundation for the development of customer-oriented production that employs the very latest technology to satisfy demands for a full range of operations, from basic metalworking to the most demanding operations in terms of space, weight, material, and shape. Such production will ensure a flexible offer of machines and accessories, as well as a wide range of services. At present, TOS VARNSDORF a.s. is investing in the further development of its own production base and its human potential.

WHQ 13 CNC horizontal milling and boring machine photo: TOS archives VARNSDORF

| 20 CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES

System of Educating Specialists in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines

Stanislav Maňas, Head of the Department of Production Machines and Mechanisms, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, e-mail: [email protected], www.fs.cvut.cz

The Department of Production Machines machines for the manufacture of plastics, planners, designers, in the field of and Mechanisms at the Faculty of die casting machines and automation development, as operation engineers and Mechanical Engineering of the Czech devices, such as industrial manipulators laboratory test engineers. They are also Technical University in Prague trains young and robots. Machine design – in the form very well qualified for work in trade specialists in the area of machine tools of term projects – is based on the use of companies, as businessmen. and forming machines, offering structured computers and much attention is paid to studies in courses for Bachelor’s, the practical aspects of programming Doctoral Study Programme Master’s and Doctor’s degrees. digitally controlled machines. Doctoral studies are the third level of Experimental exercises take place in structured studies. Young graduates – Bachelor Study Programme modern laboratories on both engineers – are given the opportunity to Graduates – Bachelors (Bc.) – are able to conventional and numerically controlled carry out scientific work, to improve their work as designers and testing engineers in machines. Studies are supplemented with theoretical and technical knowledge and industrial laboratories or in the technology visits to companies – important their knowledge of foreign languages. All investment departments of industrial manufacturers of machine tools and this is organised on the basis of an enterprises. They can also find work forming machines. We also organise one individual study plan, prepared by the introducing comprehensive production or two-term stays at universities abroad student and his/her mentor at the automation in non-mechanical (some of our students have been to beginning of studies. At this stage, too, engineering enterprises. England, France, Germany, Austria, the student very often takes advantage of Sweden, the USA, and Australia). Further stays at universities abroad or internships Master Study Programme into their studies, students contribute with significant firms both at home and The Master Study Programme in towards finding solutions to grant abroad. Doctoral studies are completed by "Production Machines and Equipment" projects. The final project and the thesis the doctoral state examination and thesis focuses on the preparation of mechanical are based on assignments from industry, defence. Following a successful thesis engineers for the construction and or alternatively, students may be asked to defence, the graduate is awarded the PhD operation of production machines, find a solution to a certain aspect of the title. Most often, graduates find work in equipment, and systems. Areas covered faculty’s research programme. Graduates, the research and development of mainly include machine tools and forming who have been awarded the title of production machines and equipment. machines, woodworking machines, and Engineer (Ing.), can work as project

21 | RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Support to Manufacturing Machine Development from EU Research and Development Support Programmes

Luděk Hanáček, Manager of EU Projects and Grants Division, Deloitte BPO G&I a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.deloitte.cz

The two principal aims pursued by the Three Projects in the Czech of the two-year project is the Sixth EU Framework Programme for Republic integration of a coordinate measuring Research, Technological Development, In the Czech Republic, applicants for machine into a five-axis machine tool and Demonstration for 2002-2006 support under the Sixth Framework with the aim of reducing investment are the strengthening of the scientific Programme include entities concerned and operating costs in five-axis and technological base of industry with the development of new machine precision machining and raising and raising the international tools. Their projects have been manufacturing productivity. The project competitiveness of the European submitted under priority 4 – is co-ordinated by HEMTECH, a Dutch Union. The programme is one of the Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, firm that has invited eleven teams to main instruments promoting the materials and new production co-operate, two of which are research creation of a European Research Area. technologies, a priority that will be institutions – the Research Centre of Similarly to the previous programme, maintained under the following Manufacturing Technology and the the following Seventh Framework Seventh Priority Programme. One such Fraunhofer Institute. The total costs of Programme for 2007-2013, now under project is that of the Research Centre the project amount to EUR 1.79 preparation, contains a list of thematic of Manufacturing Technology of the million, to which the European priorities with calls for the submission Czech Technical University in Prague. Commission contributes EUR 0.98 of projects. Individual calls specify the The Research Centre, together with million. focus of projects, which correspond to other European research teams, The last project in the area of the different priorities. This means that submitted two projects, which the manufacturing machines is entitled only projects corresponding precisely to European Commission chose to NEXT with KOVOSVIT as the Czech the announced areas may be given finance. The first project, entitled participant. It is a large integrated support. The first calls under the ECOFIT, sets itself the aim of project bringing together 24 Seventh Framework Programme are developing, over the next three years, organisations from the European expected at the end of 2006 with new control systems for lightweight, Union, which specialise in five main submission of projects in the course of highly dynamic machine tools. The areas. The first area is the manufacture 2007. project, co-ordinated by the FATRONIK of "green" machines based on respect of Spain, brings together research for environmental principles, such as Support to the Development of institutions in the area of machine the use of recycled materials in the Manufacturing Machines tools, in this case the Research Centre construction of machines and lower Although the support of the of Manufacturing Technology and the energy consumption in machining. The development of manufacturing University of Stuttgart, as well as second area focuses on autonomous machines is not a specific subject of the machine tool manufacturers, machines and the third is the calls, such projects can be included in specifically KOVOSVIT and N.CORREA, development of high-performance thematic priority 4 – Nanosciences, who will fit the machines with the new manufacturing machines that enable nanotechnologies, materials and new systems. The other companies greater precision of machine-tool production technologies, which will be participating in the project are MIROW, production. The last two areas focus on a part of one of the four programmes AIDO, SEQUOIA, D-ELEKTRON, and innovation in business processes under the Seventh Framework ISG, concerned with development in combined with education and Programme, specifically the Co- areas such as optics, mechatronics, and dissemination in the area of operation programme. Projects are to sensing devices. The costs of the manufacturing technology. The budget be submitted directly to the European project amount to EUR 3.14 million, to of this extensive project spreading over Commission, always by a consortium of which the European Commission four years is EUR 21.75 million, with several research entities from EU contributes EUR 1.8 million. a EUR 14 million contribution from the member states. Projects approved by The second project in the area of European Commission. the appraisal committees will be manufacturing machines involving selected for co-financing from the Czech institutions is the budget of the Framework Programme. HARDPRECISION project. The purpose

| 22 CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES

Research into Machine Tools in the CR Continues Successfully

Jaromír Houša, Head of the Research Centre of Manufacturing Technology, e-mail: [email protected], www.rcmt.cvut.cz

The Research Centre of Manufacturing state aid for another Technology (RCMT) was founded at the five years, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech specifically for Technical University in 2000, when it a project entitled obtained state aid from the Ministry of "Research of Education, Youth, and Sports for the Production Tech- establishment of a new research base for niques and Technol- the manufacturing technology industry in ogy". The content the CR. and focus of the Towards the end of 2004, the project project is based on was successfully completed, comprising new world trends two detached workplaces, one at the and on co-operation Brno University of Technology with the Czech (www.vutbr.cz) and the other at the manufacturing tech- Technical University of Liberec nology industry. The (www.vslib.cz). In addition, an accredited project comprises testing laboratory was set up and a total of 27 provided with the latest measuring research sub- Experimental LM-2 machine with highly dynamic parameters of movable axes equipment for measuring the precision of projects in three machine tools, the temperature and different areas of interest: firstly, the projects under the 6th Framework thermal fields of machines, static and research of highly efficient, high- Programme, namely Ecofit and thermal deformations, the working precision, reliable, and environmentally HardPrecision. Here, the Centre co- precision of the spindles of milling friendly machines and their components, operates for example with the Technical machines and lathes, and machine secondly, the research, measuring, University in Stuttgart, with IPT of vibrations and noise levels. An monitoring, and evaluation of the Aachen, with Hemtech of the experimental machine, the LM-2, was properties of machine tools, and finally Netherlands, with Fatronik – a Spanish built for testing and checking the sub- the research of advanced, efficient, and research institute, and other partners. Co- assemblies of highly dynamic machines. environmentally friendly production operation is underway with UWE Bristol A new way of arranging the control axis machines (especially machine tools). The on a project involving Airbus UK as of NC machines, using the so-called Centre has invited the University of West a significant partner. We also have floating principle, has been theoretically Bohemia in Plzeň to co-operate on this working contacts with Optodyne of the devised and tested experimentally. Several project. USA under the framework of a thesis. other theoretical and experimental The Centre provides well for the further projects have also been carried out in the Current Projects and education of its workers. For this purpose, area of drives. In co-operation with Co-operation with Businesses the Centre obtained a substantial grant industry, two machines, the MCVL 1000 Today the Centre is able to offer the new from the Labour Office of the Capital City Laser machining centre and the FNG 50 results of its research activities, useful for of Prague this year (www.portal.mpsv.cz) CNC Laser tool-making milling machine, application in engineering production. Its under the JPD 3 programme for the have been constructed with built-in floating principle, for instance, has been education of the Centre’s employees, lasers. Furthermore, an automated applied on the H 50 – FLOAT machine entitled Raising the Adaptability of RCMT production system has been introduced at produced by Tajmac–ZPS (www.tajmac- Workers to Changes in Technological the RCMT workplace at the University of zps.cz) and for covering the X and Y axes Conditions. The project, which spans Technology in Brno. Another project of the LM-2 experimental machine in over two years, will provide funds for involved the manufacture of paddle connection with the innovation of the all manner of education. The wheels of different shapes by means of production programme of Hestego. implementation of this project, which five-axis machining. Furthermore, the Centre has provided began on 1 May 2006, will help several machine tool manufacturers with significantly to raise the competitiveness A Project for the Research of new solutions in the area of drives and of the Centre. Production Techniques and five-axis machining. Technology The Centre’s great achievement in 2005 In 2004, the Research Centre obtained was the launching of two European Photo: the archives author’s

23 | EXPORTS

Success of Czech Forming Machines Worldwide

Petr Křižanovský, General Manager, Strojimport, www.strojimport.com, e-mail: [email protected]

Strojimport a.s. Praha is a commercial company which, for 53 years now, has successfully represented on foreign markets both Czech and Slovak manufacturers of machine tools and forming machines with renowned brands such as TOS, MAS, ŠKODA, ZPS, ŽĎAS, ŠMERAL, as well as many others. Supplies for companies such as FORD MOTOR Co., KRUPP, ABB, VOEST ALPINE, PRATT & WHITNEY are among its most important references. The company’s export programme encompasses lathes (all types of universal centre lathes, heavy duty lathes, automatic lathes and CNC numerically controlled turning machines), drilling and boring machines (both CNC and conventional), gear Representative offices of Strojimport a.s worldwide generating machines – gear hobbing and gear shaping machines, milling machines (both CNC and conventional), especially include state-owned a.s. has also located one of its machining centres (both vertical and companies in China and India. representative offices here. Great horizontal), grinding machines (both Strojimport’s representative offices have success has been recorded in particular CNC and conventional), metal and been operating in both of these in supplies of horizontal boring profile forming machines, presses and countries for a number of years now, machines manufactured by TOS forging machines, metal cutting saws, as providing quick and high quality Varnsdorf and in the supply of the well as woodworking and wood commercial services. FUEQ 150 reference machine processing machines. manufactured by TOS Kuřim. Accomplishments of Strojimport Return to Remote Markets The greatest recent commercial – A stable and long-time partner of Although a dominant part of exports accomplishments of Strojimport a.s. Strojimport a.s. is, among others, continues to go to West European include above all: Algeria, where thousands of machines countries, in recent years, Strojimport have been supplied to in the past, a.s. has begun to increasingly penetrate – The reconstruction and modernisation especially lathes manufactured by TOS the markets of more remote countries, of forging sets for smith forging, Trenčín. The TOS trademark remains which are commercially more supplied to Indian state organisations a symbol of quality and reliability here. demanding to cater for. These include approximately 25 years ago. The value At present, there is great interest above all China, India, Algeria, Brazil, of these contracts ranges between EUR above all in our woodworking Venezuela, as well as the countries of 5–10 million. The manufacturer and machines for small and medium-sized the former Eastern bloc, particularly supplier is ŽĎAS. joineries, manufactured by ROJEK and Poland, Hungary, and Russia. HOUFEK. Each year, Strojimport a.s. A necessary prerequisite of business – Supplies of vertical lathes takes part in the FIA international success is the establishment of a large manufactured by ČKD Blansko and trade fair in Algeria. worldwide network of representations, TOSHULIN. which Strojimport a.s. has systematically A strong advantage of Strojimport a.s., worked to put into place during the – Contracts with Russian manufacturers the ownership of which is incorporated entire course of its existence. The of aircraft engines for general repair within the structures of the Ministry of greatest intensity of cooperation is with and for the modernisation of various Finance of the Czech Republic, is its businesses operating in Europe as well machine tools and forming machines. ability to finance fully both the supply of as Central America, where Strojimport goods as well as its manufacture. a.s. has an ownership interest. In Asia, – The processing of the market in Poland the most important business partners is continuing intensively. Strojimport Photo: Strojimport archives

| 24 SURVEY

Poll of Successful Firms Operating in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines

KOVOSVIT MAS, a.s.

Náměstí Tomáše Bati 419, 39 102 Sezimovo Ústí, phone: +420 381 631 111, fax: +420 381 276 372, e-mail: [email protected], www.kovosvit.cz

Turnover (for 2005): approx. CZK 1.2 billion QUICK vertical machining centres and an innovation of the – approx. EUR 40 million MASTURN 54 CNC universal lathe with CNC control. Number of employees: 1 000 Contact person: Mr Miloslav Kafka, e-mail: [email protected] Export: 52 %, e.g. to Germany, Italy, Russia, the Ukraine, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Belgium

KOVOSVIT MAS, a.s. Sezimovo Ústí joint stock company has a tradition of more than sixty years in the development, manufacture, and sale of high-precision and high-quality MAS machine tools. The company is an important exporter within the Czech engineering industry. At present, it supplies customers both in the CR and abroad with a very broad range of machine tools and customer services encompassing a full range of machining, milling, drilling and boring technologies.

At the 2005 Brno International Engineering Fair you were awarded a Gold Medal. For which project? It was the MCU 630V – 5X five-axis vertical machining centre.

Which new products do you have in store for 2006? In 2006, we want to launch a new series of MCV 754 and 1016 MCU 630V – 5X – five-axis vertical machining centre Photo: KOVOSVIT archives

PRAMET TOOLS, s.r.o.

Uničovská 2, 787 53 Šumperk, phone: +420 583 381 111, fax: +420 583 215, e-mail: [email protected], www.pramet.com

Turnover (for 2005): CZK 984 million – EUR 32.3 million You export products via your foreign branches. Where Number of employees: 488 are they located? Contact person: Mr Pavel Večerka, e-mail: [email protected] The company has subsidiaries in Italy, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany, Export: 50 % to more than 300 countries on all the continents. and a regional manager has been appointed to cover the Russian Our largest export territories are those countries where we have Federation. located our branches: Slovakia (10 %), Germany (10.4 %), Poland (8 %), Italy (4.5 %), followed by Russia, Spain, the USA, Taiwan, You place emphasis on your own research and Belarus, and Romania. development. What does this mean for the company in practice? The company is engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of We operate our own development department and each year we cutting and forming tools made of cemented carbide. The tools are put on sale approximately 300 new cutting tools. In the case of intended for industrial use. certain projects we co-operate with Czech universities. We also place Its core programme features machining tools – exchangeable emphasis on further education, and in 2006 we opened a training cutting inserts, VBD cutting tools, VBD turning tools, VBD drills, and testing centre on the company’s grounds, where we present our clamps and metal forming tools and construction elements, such as new products and organise training for employees to instruct them sealing rings and bushings for pump technology, drawing mill tools, on the correct use of the products, on raising productivity, and so on. semi-finished tools for drawing and other uses, hot and cold metal forming tools, pressing tools for powder metallurgy, and special- purpose tools.

| 26 CZECH MACHINE TOOLS AND FORMING MACHINES

TOS KUŘIM-OS, a.s.

Blanenská 257, 664 34 Kuřim, phone: +420 541 101 111, fax: +420 541 103 266, e-mail: [email protected], www.tos-kurim.cz

Number of employees: 700 Can you mention some of your most important Contact person: Mr Lukáš Řepa, e-mail: [email protected] foreign customers? Export: to Austria, Germany, Italy, Finland, Sweden, the Our most important foreign customers include the Volvo Group, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, TRW Group, Siemens, Velan, Paflinger and Belaz, whom we Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Canada, supply with machine tools, complete with technologies. Turkey, India

TOS KUŘIM–OS, a.s. is one of the oldest manufacturers of milling machines, single-purpose machines, and automatic machining lines in the Czech Republic. The factory was founded in 1942 as an affiliation of Zbrojovka Brno. During the 60 years of machine tool production, the company’s employees have acquired experience in research, development, construction, manufacture, and operation of more than 83 000 machine tools, 60 automatic machining lines, and 3 500 single-purpose machines. In 2005, ALTA, a.s., of Brno, became the majority owner of TOS KUŘIM–OS. Machine tools are among ALTA’s chief trading commodities.

Which important companies are your subcontractors? We have relatively many subcontractors, including companies Floor type milling machine with movable FU(Q) 125/150 column such as Siemens, Heidenhain, Fanuc and Bosch-Rexroth, Festo. Photo: TOS KUŘIM archives

INTOS s.r.o.

Tovární 220, 267 53 Žebrák, phone: +420 311 535 111, fax: +420 311 533 236, e-mail: [email protected], www.intos.cz

Turnover (for 2005): CZK 270 million – approx. EUR 9 million company has access to the latest technologies and can offer its Number of employees: 240 customers equally advanced machines as those that have been Contact person: Mr Václav Zavadil, e-mail: [email protected] known on all developed markets for many years. The traditional Export: 85 %, e.g. to Austria, Germany, Hungary, Russia users and potential buyers of machines bearing the INTOS trademark can look forward to far-reaching innovations and new INTOS, spol. s r.o., a limited liability company, is a Czech machine machines every year. tool manufacturer with a tradition dating back more than 130 years. Its current product range can be divided into conventional Which of your foreign customers are the most milling machines represented by the well-known models FN 20, important? FNGJ 30, FNGJ 40, and FNGJ 50. Another important group First of all, I must mention EMCO Maier of Austria, Mexpol WM, comprises numerically controlled milling machines, models FNGP EDE, Maxima, Tos Neva, Protostim of Hungary, and, last but not 40 and FNGP 50, with rectangular control, models FNG 30 CNC least, Strojimport of Poland. E, FNG 40 CNC E, fitted with the Heidenhain control system. Another item in this group is the numerically controlled INTURN 320 lathe with the Heidenhain TNC 4110 Manual Plus control system. Another addition to the production range are the MCX 750 and MCX 1200 vertical machining centres. INTOS is making a far-reaching innovation to its range of conventional lathes to include in its production programme the INTURN 280, INTURN 340, and INTURN 400 modern lathes, available in both the Basic and Digital versions.

In 2004, EMCO, the Austrian supranational concern, became the 100 % owner of Intos. What has this re- organisation brought to the company? Immediately after the acquisition of INTOS, spol. s r.o., by EMCO, an Austrian supranational concern, INTOS experienced a dynamic development. Almost directly after the change of ownership, the Austrian side launched an extensive re-organisation of the Czech company to incorporate it in its supranational structure. Our Numeraically controlled INTURN 320 lathe Photo: INTOS archives

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STROJÍRNA TYC, s.r.o.

Dlouhá 17, 338 05 Mýto, phone: +420 371 750 591, fax: +420 371 750 129, e-mail: [email protected], www.strojirna-tyc.cz

Number of employees: 40 Are you planning to attend the 2006 International Contact person: Mr Jaroslav Tyc, e-mail: [email protected] Engineering Fair to defend the title that you were Export: to Poland, Germany awarded in 2004? We are preparing primarily to present another new machining STROJÍRNA TYC manufactures portal machining centres of the centre, which we want to introduce at the International FVC, FVP and FP range, FPPC gantry type machining centres and Engineering Fair in Brno in 2007. BPP portal horizontal surface grinding machines. In 2005, we worked to develop our FVC portal machining centre. We have Which new items are you preparing for 2006? made five machines since the development was completed. We Our largest FVC portal machining centre (FVC 160 CNC / 4000). have also launched the production of portal milling machines for a German customer.

TRIMILL, a.s.

Louky 304, 764 32 Zlín, phone: +420 577 112 111, fax: +420 577 112, e-mail: [email protected], www.trimill.cz

Turnover: approx. CZK 280 000 – approx. EUR 9 400 further expansion of business activities. In an effort to optimise Number of employees: 70 production costs, supranational corporations are building new Contact person: Ms Veronika Julinová, e-mail: [email protected] production facilities in East European countries, giving rise to the Export: 80 %, mainly to Germany, followed by Slovenia, Finland, establishment of new markets, which our company is trying to the United Kingdom, Italy, and France address.

TRIMILL, a.s. was founded in the first half of 2000. Its core programme is the development, construction, assembly, sale, and servicing of machining centres. The company specialises in particular in the construction and supply of high-speed machining centres for the manufacture of press tools, moulds, fixtures, and dies for the automobile, aircraft, and plastics industries.

What does your company specialise in? Since its founding right up to the present day, TRIMILL, a.s. has focused on the development, construction, assembly, sale, and servicing of machining centres. During the time of its operation on the market, the company has developed and constructed a standardised product range comprising seven basic types of machining centres, such as the vertical and horizontal machines. We specialise in particular in the construction and supply of high-speed machining centres for the manufacture of press tools, moulds, fixtures and dies for the automobile, aircraft, and plastics industries.

Which foreign markets and which products have brought you the greatest success? The markets, which the company TRIMILL, a.s. has addressed and where it has succeeded primarily include the EU states, in particular Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Finland and Belgium. Eastern markets (Poland, Slovakia, Russia, etc.) are among the company’s potential outlets for a possible

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Exhibitions and Trade Fairs in the Area of Machine Tools and Forming Machines in the Czech Republic (2nd half of 2006)

MSV 2006 Machining and Forming in Brno in September 48th International Engineering Fair 18–22 September 2006, Brno Exhibition Centre The 48th International Engineering Fair (MSV) and the 5th Výstaviště Brno, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], International Machine Tools Exhibition (IMT) will take place www.bvv.cz simultaneously in Brno from 18 to 22 September 2006.

IMT 2006 IMT on a Record-Size Area 5th International Fair of Machine Tools and Forming Machines Today, already, the area reserved by exhibitors for the IMT 2006 18–22 September 2006, Brno Exhibition Centre exhibition is 500 sq. m larger than at the previous IMT. Since 1998, Výstaviště Brno, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.bvv.cz when this biennial exhibition was held for the first time together with the MSV, its size has been growing, and 2006 will be no exception. Official Participation of the Czech Republic in International Fifty new firms have registered for the IMT 2006, most of them Fairs and Exhibitions Abroad foreign companies. All the important Czech manufacturers of machine tools and forming machines will be present, and the MOSCOW – LESDREVMASH number of exhibitors from Slovakia, and especially from Spain, is also 11–15 September 2006, Moscow growing. For the very first time, participators will include companies International Fair of Woodworking Machines from Denmark and India. The last IMT exhibition in 2004 was INCHEBA Praha, s.r.o., e-mail: [email protected], www.incheba.cz attended by 489 exhibitors from 25 countries, and the share of foreign exhibitors rose to a record 46.2 %. TORONTO – CMW 26–28 September 2006, Toronto Gold Medals 2005 International Engineering Fair Machine tools and forming machines were also well represented at TERIS, a.s., e-mail: [email protected], www.teris.cz the MSV 2005, four of them winning the prestigious Gold Medal. The main criteria under scrutiny for assessing products competing for SHANGHAI – METALWORKING Gold Medals at the MSV are their novelty, originality of concept and 10–13 October 2006, Shanghai design with proven benefit, the technical and technological International Machine Tool Fair standard, degree of innovation, workmanship of the whole as well EXPOSTYLE, e-mail: [email protected], www.expostyle.cz as attention to detail, design, user comfort, commercial and technical parameters, readiness of the product for launch on the market, ecological aspects, and the general level of its presentation.

Further information is available at: www.bvv.cz/imt Prepared by Jiří Erlebach

Important Contacts

MINISTRIES Ministry of Industry and Trade of the CR www.mpo.cz [email protected] ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Engineering Technique www.sst.cz [email protected] Czech Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association www.svdsz.cz [email protected] The Gauge and Toolmakers’ Association www.svnm.cz [email protected] Machine Tool Society www.fs.cvut.cz [email protected] UNIVERSITIES Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www2.fs.cvut.cz [email protected] Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.fme.vutbr.cz [email protected] Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Machining and Assembly www.kom.vslib.cz [email protected] Technical University Ostrava, Department of Mechanical Engineering www.fs.vsb.cz [email protected] University of West Bohemia in Plzeň, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.fst.zcu.cz [email protected] RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTES Research Centre of Manufacturing Technology, Czech Technical University, Prague www.rcmt.cvut.cz [email protected] Institute of Engineering Technology, Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.vutbr.cz [email protected] Institute of Production Machines, Systems, and Robotics, Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.uvssr.fme.vutbr.cz [email protected]

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