Small Dimensions, Maximum Precision with FANUC CNC Technology
ABOUT Zorn Maschinenbau:
Founded in Berlin in 1951 with just 10 employees, ZORN initially manufactured lamps and light pointers. The company today employs around 50 people in the design and production of micro-machining, micro-automation, micro-assembly and wire-processing solutions - in both standard and customised variants. Now based in Stockach, in the south of Germany, the company entered the micro-machining market in 2015 with the development of the Zorn MicroOne, a CNC machining centre designed specifically for the production of miniature components.
Controlled Machining in a Compact Package
For ZORN Maschinenbau, expertise in producing extremely small, high-precision components goes back to the company's origins, which lie in the equipment manufacturing division of an incandescent products factory. Business focused on the production of very small, high-precision light bulbs - and their associated components - which demanded equally small fixtures and machinery.
“This expertise was later applied to the development of machine tools,” states Martin Zeiher, Managing Director of Zorn Maschinenbau GmbH.
When ZORN entered the micro-machining market in 2015 with its MicroOne, the process and technology was still relatively new. The innovative machine is able to perform the milling, drilling and grinding of miniature parts in co-ordinated motion on a single platform.
A key development for the MicroOne has been the integration of FANUC CNC technology. The machine takes advantage of a FANUC Series 31𝑖-B5 Plus control, providing the processing power and precision required for demanding five-axis micro-machining applications.
Working with CNC technology from FANUC, a global player in the control systems sector, made our entry into the market much easier. If you already have a FANUC control system in-house, the transition to micro-machining is naturally much easier because you don’t have to learn a new control system.
Alexander Noeske
Sales Manager at ZORN
The compact MicroOne is designed to deliver high levels of precision, accuracy and ergonomics within a footprint of just 1 m². The FANUC 31𝑖-B5 Plus is central to this capability, supporting simultaneous five-axis machining and the complex calculations required to maintain tiny but extremely accurate toolpaths.
“The control system must be capable of calculating even the smallest contour movements – and we’re talking about 1/500th of a millimetre – with such precision that we don’t see any contour ‘smearing’, which comes at the expense of accuracy,” says Noeske.
The FANUC CNC can control up to 34 axes in total and up to six independent machining paths, providing the flexibility required for sophisticated multi-axis operations. Its enhanced processing speed and memory (compared with the 31𝑖-B Plus) also help reduce cycle times in complex machining tasks.
In addition, the relationship between ZORN and FANUC has proved vital during the MicroOne’s evolution. According to Noeske, both companies share a common perspective regarding the demands of CNC machining: “We’ve found that our collaboration with FANUC is very fruitful because we both have the same understanding of precision.”
With the FANUC Series 31𝑖-B5 Plus providing the control performance required for complex five-axis machining on a micro scale, ZORN can continue to offer and develop the MicroOne as a compact, high-performance solution for manufacturers working with miniature components.
Get Inspired
Turning Old Into New With High-Performance FANUC Controls
GSN Schleiftechnik specialises in the overhaul of cylindrical grinding machines, transforming older equipment into high-performance production assets. By replacing obsolete electronics and drive systems with modern FANUC CNC technology, GSN gives customers a cost-effective alternative to buying new machines, while retaining familiar tooling and equipment.
ESOMA Restores CNC Grinding Machines to like‑new Performance with FANUC Retrofit Solutions
Retrofitting legacy machine tools is a strategic way to extend lifecycle, improve performance and secure long term productivity. For ESOMA, a specialist in retrofit services, combining engineering expertise with advanced FANUC CNC technology enables the transformation of existing grinding machines into modern, high precision solutions.
FANUC Case Studies
Explore our comprehensive range of factory automation solutions, showcased in detailed case studies, and designed to optimise and streamline any manufacturing process.
All Applications
