sponsored by


Feature


MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY FEATURE


VG MACHINES REFINES METAL SURFACE FINISHING WITH SMART


DRIVE TECHNOLOGY FROM LENZE When developing its latest generation of equipment, VG Machines partnered with Lenze. Here we find out why and the benefits achieved


key role. For example, our real-time brush wear measurement and adjustment system. Other machines require manual checks before each run, which can affect quality if done incorrectly. Our automatic system ensures consistent quality, regardless of the operator.”


V


G Machines, a company with a decade of experience in mechanical metal surface finishing, stands out for its multifunctional machines that are easy to install and operate. For its latest generation of machines the company, based in Kuurne, Belgium, partnered with automation specialist Lenze. This collaboration enabled more compact designs and further optimised performance.


STRATEGIC SHIFT VG Machines originated from Vangroenweghe, a pioneer in wide belt sanders for the wood and furniture industry since the 1950s. In 2015, entrepreneurs Dieter Dendauw and Patrick Thiers took over the company and set a new direction. “Demand for traditional sanding machines had


already dropped significantly due to automation and offshoring,” explains Dendauw. “But Vangroenweghe had also developed sanding and deburring machines for metal in the 1990s. Given the growing importance of surface treatment, we decided to focus on mechanical post-processing of cut and punched metal sheets.” They further developed the existing machines and gradually expanded the product range.


MODULAR AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL FOR THE FUTURE Ten years after the transition, VG Machines excels at designing and building equipment for key


mechanical surface treatments: removing slag and laser oxide, deburring, edge rounding, and finishing surfaces through grinding and polishing (such as line finishing and roughness control) for steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. “Our choice brought immediate competition,” says Dendauw. “At EuroBLECH this year, I saw about a dozen competitors with similar products. Many companies still use grinding discs and see our machines as a future investment. But as quality, safety, and aesthetics standards in the metal sector become stricter, our expertise is more relevant than ever.” The latest model, Leonardo, can combine up


to seven operations in a single pass, depending on the selected modules. “We design our systems for high-quality, consistent finishing, where automation plays a


EASE OF USE AND COMPACT DESIGN “We also set stricter requirements for our machine components,” continues Dendauw. “Previously, we used large drives that required more cabinet space. Now, we integrate Lenze i550 drives, which are much more compact and can be mounted side by side – saving space, cabling, and installation costs.” The new deburring machines are more compact and organised, with less wiring thanks to Lenze drives. “We simplified control as well: the previous setup needed two PLCs, but with EtherCAT communication on the Lenze i550 drives, we only need one. This makes installation and programming faster and more comfortable. With the optional Wi-Fi module, programming and many settings can be done wirelessly via PC, allowing the programmer to work from a comfortable, ergonomic position.”


PROCESS OPTIMISATION “We also wanted more insight into the process and better data usage,” says Dendauw. “Lenze drives include a standard parameter to read energy consumption per motor in kilowatt-hours. This provides a clear view of consumption per operation or batch.” This data is useful for cost calculation and monitoring wear or load. For example, a worn sanding belt results in gradually increasing energy consumption. Based on this, maintenance alerts can be automatically generated – making the system smarter, more efficient, and easier to maintain.”


Lenze www.lenze.com NOVEMBER 2025 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52