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Whenever Michael Knake stands among his 2D laser cutting and punch-laser combination machines, the founding of the company in 1990 seems almost unreal. “At that time I had only used equipment: drill presses, a rickety guillotine shears, and an aged gas-shielded welder.” The master toolmaker manufactured prototypes on those old machines. But those products convinced the customers and they clamored for more. Then things really took off: additional staff, new machinery, and in 1995 Knake erected his first building, today’s Hall 1. Now he stands next to his TruMatic 7000 and reports on the role the machine’s “ancestor”, bought in 1995, played in the development of the Knake enterprise: “The TRUMATIC Laserpress 260 punch-laser combination machine made by TRUMPF laid the foundation for our growth,” Knake recalls. “It let us make up larger batches at an attractive price per piece and position ourselves even more favorably in the market.”
Do it right, or not at all
He continues on to Hall 2. Built in the year 2000, it offered the space needed to expand the equipment with two gas-shielded welding robots and a TruLaser Cell 1005 laser welding cell. “I wanted to have the widest possible range of manufacturing technology — to respond to every demand put forward by the customers,” says Knake. He adds, with a grin: “What’s more, I was tired of sending components to other companies for certain steps in manufacturing.” He stays well ahead of his customers. “As a supplier, I have to take the first step.” Laser welding was one example. Knake notes that it will still take a while for his customers to realize all the things they can do with the technology. “But if I want to be successful in this market, then I have to be among the technological front-runners,” he emphasizes.
For him, efficient processes are a must. He has equipped all the laser machinery with automatic loading and unloading systems. “That’s how I look at things — either I do it right, or not at all.”
Up to date with the solid-state laser
Thomas Grieshop, general manager at Knake, is in full agreement with this strategy. He is waiting in Hall 2 to show us the company’s newest acquisition: a TruLaser 5030 fiber. “In our view, the solid-state laser is the next step in technology,” he says. “The speed of the solid-state laser machine is unbeatable for sheet metal up to 3 millimeters thick.” As Grieshop departs, Michael Knake emphasizes that, “Standing still is backsliding.” He has to chuckle at this truism. “I used to hate those adages, but today I cite it myself because there’s a lot of truth in them. You can never stop developing, as otherwise the competition will overtake you.”