Make better use of production times with optimally coordinated automation

The decisive step for this radical change was the acquisition of an EROWA Robot Dynamic 500 intended to serve a total of four CNC production machines. In this decision, a long-standing partner of the company played an important role: “Our investement was motivated by the necessity of putting our production time to better use,” explains Paulo Tavares.
“In addition, and with all the changes we’re experiencing in our sector, the relationships and partnerships we’ve got with our suppliers sometimes help us to see more clearly and further ahead. In the case of the EROWA robot cells, we relied on a supplier which is a partner for life: Graphite Technologies, which has been the representative of EROWA products in Portugal for 20 years. With their well-founded knowledge of the mold market, Graphite Technologies was the bridge to the success of our investment, since I’m able to  rely on the recommendations made by Hilario Costa, who has been cooperating with us on all EROWA projects,” says Paulo Tavares.

But when it came to implementing the project, the COVID pandemic was at its peak – and Aurimoldes recorded the largest drop in orders in the company's history. “I can't say it was easy to continue with the installation of our new Erowa robot during this time,” says Paulo Tavares. “But we saw it as an opportunity for better learning and training. We restructured the factory floor, reorganized our work teams, trained employees, and rethought the planning of our projects. We did all this because we had more time than we would have had at a normal production pace.”

Aurimoldes' main products are molds for parts in high-pressure and low-pressure injection molding, as well as molds for plastic injection molding and for Zamak, a harder and more resistant zinc alloy. One of its specialities is magnesium thixomoulding, which can be used to produce thin, lightweight and very stable parts from magnesium alloys at low cost. Its target markets are primarily the automotive industry, but also sectors such as hydraulic equipment, electrical equipment, packaging and gas. “We produce many molds for parts in the automotive sector, such as rearview mirrors, roof racks, and chassis components. We are involved in both ready-made projects, where our molds are used in robot-assisted and fully autonomous cells, and development projects, where we have to produce prototype molds.”
The company is based in Gafanha da Encarnação. Located about 60 km south of Porto, the town belongs to Aveiro, one of Portugal's most important industrial locations. Aurimoldes was founded there in 1997 and has grown rapidly.

Today, the company employs around 40 people, whose age structure ideally combines extensive experience with youthful dynamism. Aurimoldes employees benefit from a philosophy that focuses on improving working conditions and training team members. “We want to promote and improve the skills of our employees by encouraging continuous training and providing appropriate opportunities,” says Paulo Tavares. “This also includes the active participation and responsibility of all employees in the quality management system and the growth of the company. The goal is to strengthen and consolidate a holistic and coherent vision of the organization.”

Versatility, adaptability, and precision are the key elements in the development of Aurimoldes' projects, explains Paulo Tavares, adding: “The ability to find quick and innovative solutions enables greater efficiency and competitiveness in terms of prices and delivery times, and this has taken us to the forefront of mold making.” Initially focused on the domestic market, the company soon turned its attention to international contexts. “Currently, our commercial strategy follows an increasingly globalized market vision,” Paulo Tavares continues. “Over the last ten years, we have developed into a primarily export-oriented company.” However, international markets are highly competitive. “There is a lot of work migrating from Europe to the East, so our market has to contend with very low prices and it is very challenging to keep up, especially if you want to maintain the quality of your processes and services without compromising. Automation therefore seems to be the only way forward.”