Saxony and Swabia work together to find sharpening solutions 2024-11-05

LB Werkzeugtechnik GmbH (LB Tool Engineering GmbH) supplies cutting tools and technologies for machining wood, metal and plastics to industry and trade. The family-owned company has been a customer of Swabian machine manufacturer VOLLMER since 2022. Since May 2024, the Saxony-based company has been using the VOLLMER VGrind argon grinding machine to manufacture its special and standard carbide tools, in particular to drive growth in the metal sector. 

Roots in Mulda on the edge of the Ore Mountains in eastern Germany

"It was in 1990, the year of German reunification, that my father founded LB Werkzeugtechnik (LB Tool Engineering) and laid the foundations for our successful company history," says Norman Braun, Managing Director of LB Werkzeugtechnik GmbH. "This positive development is ensured by our close integration into the AGEFA Group, our motivated workforce and a solid machine fleet – and this is where we want to break new ground and move into new markets with VOLLMER machines."

LB Werkzeugtechnik has its roots in Mulda – a municipality of just under 3000 inhabitants that belongs to the district of Central Saxony and borders the Czech Republic and the Ore Mountains to the south. It has been two years since the first VOLLMER machine arrived there from Biberach in Swabia, south-western Germany. Since then, LB Werkzeugtechnik has been using the CPF 650 grinding machine in the service sector to machine the sides of carbide-tipped circular saw teeth. The second VOLLMER machine, a VGrind argon, is used almost entirely by the Saxony based company to manufacture special and standard tools such as drills, milling cutters and reamers, which are made of carbide and are suitable for cutting wood, metal, aluminium and plastic.

Manufacturing, service and trade – the company's three main pillars

In addition to manufacturing and repairing tools, trading in products is the third mainstay of LB Werkzeugtechnik – with the product range primarily comprising brands from the AGEFA Group. AGEFA is a manufacturer-independent composite group of wood, plastics and machining specialists from Germany. The AGEFA catalogue from LB Werkzeugtechnik brings together a range of more than 12,000 tools for woodworking alone, including brands such as Kanefusa, Ceratizit, AKE, JSO and Promat.

"We employ 28 people and generate an annual turnover of around EUR 2.5 million, one third of which comes from the retail, service and production business areas," adds Norman Braun. "Our geographical proximity to the Ore Mountains meant that our customers initially came mainly from the woodworking industry, but in future we want to further expand our business with tools for metal and plastic machining, which is why we've also invested in the VOLLMER VGrind argon machine."

Automated production of tools with the VGrind argon

The Saxony-based company's customers are primarily from Germany and include automotive suppliers, mechanical engineering companies, saw mills, furniture manufacturers, DIY stores, steel construction companies, research institutes, toy manufacturers and the AGEFA Group itself. The VOLLMER VGrind argon grinding machine has been installed for a few months in the production hall, which covers more than 1800 square metres and was built by LB Werkzeugtechnik in 2002. Like all VOLLMER machines from the VGrind series, the VGrind argon also has a double-spindle concept that enables precise and efficient machining using two vertically configured spindles. Equipped with an IoT (Internet of Things) gateway, the grinding machine is suitable for digital tool production under Industry 4.0. Grinding wheels can be automatically measured and their wear can be checked using an internal wheel measuring probe. The VGrind argon also has a four-wheel grinding wheel changer as well as an internal pallet loader, and is designed for fully automatic unmanned operation around the clock.

Norman Braun, who was enthusiastic about the VGrind argon from the very first sanding tests, raves, "the combination of impressive sanding results, flexible automation and the intuitive NUMROTO software opens up completely new possibilities for us. Thanks to the training provided by VOLLMER, we were able to benefit from the machine's advantages immediately. The VGrind argon fits in perfectly with our philosophy at LB Werkzeugtechnik – efficiency and fun at work go hand in hand."

Work-life balance is part of the company philosophy

The simple operation and automation of the VGrind argon ensures that no shift or weekend work will be necessary at LB Werkzeugtechnik despite the targeted growth. It is important to the family-owned business to combine high-quality tool manufacture and customer-focussed services with the ambition for the entire team to be motivated and enjoy coming to work. Norman Braun adds that he can also envisage that it might be possible to introduce a four-day week at some point.

Andreas Nitka, Area Sales Manager of the VOLLMER Group, emphasises,"LB Werkzeugtechnik impressively demonstrates how medium-sized companies can increase their competitiveness with our VGrind machines. By combining precision, flexibility and an attractive price-performance ratio, we enable our customers to be successful in the face of global competition without overburdening their employees. The VGrind models are the ideal solution for companies looking for the highest quality combined with high productivity."