Eurofours optimises baking oven production costs through robotic welding

“Baking 80 baguettes evenly – with the same doneness and colour is far more complex than to cook a Sunday roast in your kitchen oven. The temperature must be uniform throughout the oven, and the baking process must take place at a precise temperature and duration,” explains Yoan Khinache, Head of the Methods Department at Eurofours.

The French company has built up this expertise since the late 1970s. Aerospace engineer Pierre Lancelot decided to apply his knowledge of airflow to baking technology. This led to the development of the first electric convection oven and the founding of Eurofours on 13 October 1980 in Gommegnies.

Over the years, the company has grown with new buildings, production lines, and acquisitions of brands such as Abry Nicolas, Angoulvant, Arpin, Bouton, Jolivet, Pierre Pont, and Ponton Lemeunier. In 2010, Stéphane and Nicolas Lancelot took over the family business following the death of their father.

From TIG to MIG

Among the suppliers of automated welding, Valk Welding stood out thanks to its cold SAWP welding process and Quick Touch wire searching. The chosen solution consists of a mobile Valk Welding FRAME-H concept, a TL-1800 robot, and an integrated power source with Panasonic’s Super Active Wire welding process. “For us, this was the best solution,” says Rousseau. “We are now saving even more time.”

“By switching from spot welding to rivets, we have already reduced preparation time by 50%. This pre-assembly is now carried out by an operator before the welding department. The welder only needs to clamp the oven onto the table, and the robot does the rest,” he explains. The switch from TIG to MIG welding has also further improved cycle times.