The Czech company already has a M35 MILLTURN and is using its advanced features and unique technologies to shorten workflows. We spoke with production director Libor Babak, who gave us an insight into the company‘s production processes and future plans. He was eagerly anticipating our questions, his answers to which we‘re delighted to share with you now:

Mr. Babak, you‘ve been with Jihlavan for some time now. Would you like to tell us a bit about the company?

The company was founded around 70 years ago. The modern, industrial culture that it embodied enabled us to carve out an important niche for ourselves in the market. We are a traditional manufacturer of hydraulic elements and precision components for the aerospace sector, mobile technologies and general applications. Since it was founded, Jihlavan has installed its hydraulic technology in more than 10,000 aircraft. Something of which we‘re very proud.

And something you should be proud of. Would you say that the manufacture of hydraulic components is the single core strength of the company?

No, I don‘t think you can say that, as another of our core strengths is the development of hydraulic equipment, especially actuators, which are used extensively in the aviation industry and vehicle control systems. This technological expertise means we can produce hydraulic components designed specifically to the requirements of major European and American customers. As you see, the manufacture of hydraulic components that we‘ve developed in-house or produced in response to customer requests is just one of our core strengths.

Where else will one come across Jihlavan products?

As I said earlier, we are above all active in the field of hydraulic drive gears, landing doors and overall control of the hydraulic systems of aircraft. For example, components that we‘ve developed and produced can be found in civil aircraft such as the L-410 Turbolet, L-39 Albatros and L-159 ALCA. In addition, we‘ve manufactured actuators and hydraulic systems to the precise specifications and requirements of the Airbus A-350 and A-400, CASA and Cirrus.

You work mainly with companies that have extremely stringent quality requirements. What were the other parameters that made you buy the multi-function machine?

Our production numbers are actually quite low, but we‘re still turning them out. The consistent quality of the products was one of the main factors behind our decision to buy a complete machining centre. Moreover, the machining  operations, such as turning, milling and grinding, are part and parcel of our production. We‘ve seen in recent years that the use of a multi-function machine is the most rational choice in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Have any of your existing machines or processes been replaced since you purchased a M30 MILLTURN complete machining centre?

None of our existing machines or processes has been replaced. The main reason for our decision to purchase our first MILLTURN was that new components were being designed in our R&D centre. The manufacture of these parts using conventional technologies was extremely difficult and inefficient, so we decided to invest in a complete machining centre.

Your company initially invested in an M35 MILLTURN and has now gone on to buy an M30 MILLTURN. What lay behind these decisions?

If one examines the commercial and technical factors closely, it soon becomes apparent that there are several comparable complete machining centres to the M30 MILLTURN on the market. However, there were some critical  actors behind our decision to opt for the M30 MILLTURN. These factors in our case were firstly its outstanding ability to produce accurate and high-quality milling and machining results. Secondly, we‘d purchased an M35 MILLTURN   few years ago and had had very satisfactory experiences in terms of both technology and customer service. In purchasing a second machine, we had to ensure that they were both totally compatible with regard to  software, tools and spare parts. The machines are installed in our production line in such a way that operator training can be carried out quickly and easily. We‘ve found that this significantly reduces any possible operator errors.

What technological options and benefits does a MILLTURN offer?

Well, here I have to emphasis the unique technology that we‘re using in conjunction with the M35 MILLTURN. This technology is specially adapted for the manufacturing of continuously rolled threads in piston rods. None of the  specialist companies in the Czech Republic, Germany or Spain was able to carry out the complicated machining on the hard and solid material used in the piston rod. The M35 MILLTURN allows us to carry out this machining  operation very easily. The special head is itself clamped in a prismatic tool holder supplied to us by WFL Millturn Technologies GmbH & Co. KG. Even under high loads, this tool has shown itself to be extremely robust and rigid, which enables us to use non-standard tools without too much trouble.

Back then, after the first machine was delivered, did you experience any production-related difficulties during the changeover?

We‘d carried out all sorts of calculations and drawn up a list of our expectations before we purchased the machine. The yield was greater than expected just 4 months after the machine went into operation. This naturally had a positive impact on the commercial expectations placed on the machine as well as the anticipated return on investment. And thanks to the prompt response of WFL Millturn Technologies, neither was the reliability of the machine jeopardised when we had two minor defects. They had no effect on the planned start of the production with the machine.

Which software do you use to code the programs for your MILLTURN?

We use a package called SURFCAM to produce our programs. The postprocessor has been programmed internally. We also use a Distributed Numerical Control (DNC) network to communicate with the machine.

The Jihlavan success story goes back almost 70 years. What plans do you have for the years ahead?

Jihlavan has always placed a great deal of emphasis on traditions. To compete  successfully in the future, we will be concentrating on optimising our current processes, particularly with regard to run times and the technology of the machines. To ensure this happens, we will continue to replace traditional CNC technologies with more efficient and automated machines.

Automation and digitisation are hot topics with regard to Industry 4.0. Have you already decided on and taken some action to prepare for Industry 4.0?

We are currently in the preparatory phase of implementing our planned Industry 4.0 measures. The bulk of our development and technology department is focussing on the creation and production of innovative technical systems for the next generation of Czech aircraft. These technologies will soon be ready, so starting with their implementation in 2019 is a realistic proposition.

We look forward to sharing these exciting developments with you and thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us.