How Wallåkra Mekaniska uses smart manufacturing and AI to increase efficiency and sustainability
Swedish company Wallåkra Mekaniska, a small family-owned business, is showing how practical innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand in modern manufacturing.
With a focus on digital tools and data-driven improvements, Wallåkra has found ways to streamline operations, reduce energy use, and stay competitive in a changing industry.
A smarter way to program
At Wallåkra Mekaniska, programming is a key part of the production process. In the past, machines would sometimes sit idle while waiting for programs to be made. This slowed down production and affected profitability. To improve this, Wallåkra uses GibbsCAM, a CAM software they have relied on for over 14 years.
“Even new employees can quickly grasp the basics of GibbsCAM,” says Peter Strömberg, Owner of Wallåkra Mekaniska. “It’s easy to use, and our operators find the programs simple to read and understand.”
To save time on routine tasks, Wallåkra has also tested Up2Parts, an AI-based tool that helps generate programming drafts from STEP files and drawings. This allows experienced programmers to focus on more complex operations and fine-tuning.
Using AI and automation to improve workflow
Wallåkra’s approach reflects a broader shift in manufacturing toward digitalization.
“From Sandvik’s perspective, we see that digitalization and AI technology is really transforming the industry right now. Therefore, we have spent a lot of time implementing the first level of AI solutions in some of our solutions and we have seen that this as a used potential to help the customers be an even more efficient.” Says Fredrik Svensson, Corporate Development Manager at Sandvik.
Tools like the GibbsCAM Copilot allow new team members to ask questions and get answers directly from an AI assistant, helping them learn faster and reducing the need for constant supervision.
“We are not just growing in size. We are growing with technology,” says Peter. “AI is becoming a natural part of how we work.”
Improving sustainability through better processes
Wallåkra has also taken steps to reduce its environmental impact. One example is the use of Vericut Optimizer, a tool that helps improve machining processes. By analyzing cutting forces and tool paths, the software helps reduce cycle times by up to 25 percent.
“Shorter cycle times mean tools last longer, machines use less energy, and we can produce more parts in the same amount of time,” says Peter. “This could help us very much in the future.”
Wallåkra has also installed energy sensors and monitoring software across its operations. These tools provide real-time data on energy use, helping the company identify areas for improvement and make more informed decisions.
A practical example of modern manufacturing
Wallåkra’s collaboration with Sandvik has supported their efforts to become more efficient and sustainable. Their story shows that even smaller companies can benefit from digital tools and thoughtful planning.
“They are not doing sustainability because they have to. They see the business value,” says Jenny Hörnlund, Head of Sustainable Manufacturing at Sandvik. “Wallåkra is a perfect example of how we want to support our customers. We want to help them become more efficient, more productive, and more sustainable.”
Learn more about the solutions used by Wallåkra
- GibbsCAM
- up2parts
- Vericut Optimizer
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