Smarter machine tending helps Osvald Jensen stay competitive in high-cost manufacturing
Danish gear manufacturer Osvald Jensen operates in a space where precision, efficiency, and cost control are non-negotiable. Supplying components that demand tight tolerances, the company relies heavily on CNC machining to maintain consistent quality.
But like most manufacturers in high-cost countries, scaling production isn’t just about adding more machines or people. It’s about getting more out of the equipment already in place.
That’s where automation comes in.
Getting more output from the same CNC setup
Osvald Jensen upgraded an existing collaborative machine tending setup by introducing a dual gripper configuration using the OnRobot RG2.
Instead of handling a single part per cycle, the system now manages two parts in one movement. That one change has a disproportionate impact.
Cycle time dropped from 27 seconds to 15 seconds.
That’s a 44% reduction without changing the machine itself.
“We increased productivity simply by handling two objects at the same time. Compared to a single gripper, the difference is significant.”
Christian Viereck, Head of Production, Osvald Jensen
This is the kind of improvement that doesn’t come from working harder. It comes from working smarter with the same assets.
Results
Return on investment achieved in under 3 months
Cycle time reduced by 44% (27 → 15 seconds)
Improved part consistency and tighter tolerances
Lights-out production capability
Precision that supports product quality
Beyond speed, the consistency of the robotic handling plays a critical role in maintaining quality.
By removing variability in part handling, the gripper helps ensure that components are positioned correctly every time. The result is output that stays closer to ideal tolerances, reducing rework and improving overall process stability.
Lights-out production without added complexity
The setup also enables unattended operation.
Once operators load raw material into the magazines, the system can continue running without supervision. This effectively extends production hours without extending working hours.
No extra shifts. No additional staffing. Just better utilization of existing machines.
Fast ROI without heavy investment
“We have invested heavily in our CNC machines, and collaborative robots allow us to automate them in a very cost-effective way. Our first gripper had a return on investment in less than three months.”
Christian Viereck, Head of Production, Osvald Jensen
Instead of large-scale automation projects, Osvald Jensen focused on incremental improvements that deliver immediate impact. The ability to deploy quickly and start generating value almost immediately is what makes this approach viable.
Staying competitive in a high-cost environment
“To stay competitive in a high-cost country like Denmark, we need to invest in technology that delivers strong returns.”
Christian Viereck, Head of Production, Osvald Jensen
For manufacturers operating in regions with higher labor costs, efficiency gains are not optional. They are the difference between staying competitive and falling behind.
By improving cycle time, enabling unattended operation, and maintaining high quality, Osvald Jensen has created a setup that scales output without scaling cost.
Where this matters
If you’re running CNC machines and dealing with:
Idle time between cycles
Manual handling limiting throughput
Pressure on margins in high-cost regions
Or underutilized machines outside working hours
Then this kind of upgrade isn’t a “future project”. It’s low-hanging fruit you’re ignoring.