Precision Without Compromise: 5-Axis Mould Making for the World’s Top Car Brands

The Customer

BBG GmbH & Co.KG is a German automotive mould specialist. Their core competency is car sunroof mould making, and they supply moulds to some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen.​

Producing sunroof moulds for premium OEMs demands consistent accuracy across complex 3D contour surfaces. Every mould needs to meet tight dimensional tolerances while maintaining surface finish quality good enough for visible consumer components.

The Challenge

Sunroof moulds involve complex 3D profiles that require simultaneous multi-axis machining. The curved glass and panel interface surfaces must be machined to precise contour tolerances, and any deviation shows up in the finished product.

For a supplier working with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, there is no room for compromise. BBG needed machining capability that could deliver:

• High-speed 5-axis simultaneous machining for complex 3D mould surfaces
• Exceptional thermal stability to maintain accuracy across long cycle times
• Reliable surface finish quality to reduce or eliminate secondary hand-finishing
• Proven performance on hardened steel alloy mould materials

The Solution

BBG chose Vision Wide as their machining partner, initially investing in an NF-3127 double column machining centre in 2012, followed by an FA-3127 5-axis double column machining centre with an 18,000 rpm spindle.The BBG installation features the FA Series with an 18,000 rpm spindle, 0.02 mm thermal compensation, 8,000 mm/min cutting feed rate, and 0.1 mm 3D configuration error.

Why the Vision Wide FA Series?

The FA Series was Vision Wide’s first 5-axis bridge-type CNC milling machining centre, released in 2014. It provides excellent 5-axis simultaneous accuracy performance for mould cutting, high-precision contour finishing, milling, drilling, and tapping.

Key capabilities that matched BBG’s requirements:

• 5-axis dynamic rotation synchronisation accuracy (TCPM) of 0.04 mm
• Spindle vibration lower than 1 mm/sec
• Not affected by spindle thermal variation and environment temperature change, with thermal elongation less than 0.02 mm
• Auto measurement compensation for rotation axis accuracy

What Made the Difference

Double column rigidity. All main structural parts are made of Meehanite grade casting iron, heat treated to eliminate stress, ensuring durable rigidity and persistent accuracy.

German-made 2-axis head. The FA Series features a CYTEC 2-axis continuous head manufactured in Germany, delivering the precision and reliability BBG requires for complex contour mould work.

Thermal compensation system. The FA Series features whole-machine XYZ-axis environment temperature accuracy compensation and unique environment temperature and spindle temperature compensation of the dynamic rotation axis, achieving excellent spindle tool centre point accuracy within 0.035 mm.

Intelligent protection. Standard equipment includes spindle cutting vibration protection, spindle and motor overloading protection, B/C rotating motor overloading protection, and spindle overloading protected by software.

The Results

BBG now operates Vision Wide FA-3127 machines across multiple sites, including facilities in both China and the USA, for 3D mould making applications.

The FA Series enables BBG to:

• Machine complex 3D sunroof mould profiles in a single setup with 5-axis simultaneous capability
• Maintain the tight contour tolerances demanded by premium automotive OEMs
• Reduce hand-finishing time with consistent, high-quality surface finishes
• Achieve reliable, repeatable results across production runs

About Vision Wide

Vision Wide Tech is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer specialising in the design and production of multi-face, 5-axis, compound, and precision machine tools and automation equipment. With two factories and 39 distributors worldwide, Vision Wide delivers comprehensive application solutions from raw materials to high-quality components.Vision Wide operates from its Nantou headquarters and factory (32,396 m² land area) and its Anhui factory (88,595 m² land area), with a combined production capacity of over 390 machines per year.

Available Through QMT Machinery

The Vision Wide FA Series is available in Australia through QMT Machinery. The FA Series is a high-performance double column machining centre designed for precision and rigidity, engineered for demanding applications. It is ideal for industries requiring high material removal rates, such as aerospace, energy, and heavy equipment manufacturing.

To discuss how the Vision Wide FA Series can support your mould making, aerospace, or heavy machining applications, contact QMT Machinery today.

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Ph: +61 03 9587 8788
Email: [email protected]