The tool and die manufacturer Kröger based in Lohne, Germany was founded in March 1998. This modern, medium sized company today employs 15 qualified employees including two trainees. Kröger’s core business is the production of technical injection molds, especially for leading suppliers in the automotive industry. Referring to M. Kröger, managing director, 80% of all customers are automotive suppliers. The remaining 20% are customers from very different industrial sectors.
In order to satisfy the high quality demands from its customers the complete manufacturing process from tool design to prototyping is processed internally.

To assure a fast and flexible execution of their orders Kröger invested in CAD/CAM Software from Missler Software since the company’s establishment in 1998. Very early the need to design 3D-tools became evident in order to stay competitive.
CAD/CAM Manager and TopSolid Key User M. Middelbeck explain that the 3D-possibilities of the software are very important to design shaped parts.

Customer information and files are sent exclusively in 3D files, often in Catia or ProEngineer formats. M. Middelbeck, who works with TopSolid since 2000, talks very positively about the TopSolid interfaces and the capability to integrate data in Catia, IGES, VDA or Step format: “Before working at Kröger I already used another well-known CAD/CAM system. Today I can confirm that working with TopSolid facilitates a lot the transfer from Catia files to TopSolid.”

To optimise the internal digital process-chain Kröger uses the following TopSolid modules: TopSolid’Design, TopSolid’Mold, TopSolid’Cam, TopSolid’Electrode and TopSolid’Wire.
When preparing an offer M.Kröger discusses with his technical specialists from the design department and the shop floor to have an idea of the size of the tool or other details that are important for providing an offer.
Once the customer accepts the offer, M. Middelbeck starts preparing the tool and the volume model on the basis of the data sent by the customer.
The next step is the design of all parts of the tool with TopSolid’Mold and after that the machine programming with TopSolid’Cam.
At this stage the tool maker profits from 100% integration between TopSolid’Mold and TopSolid’Cam: “When still designing in TopSolid’Mold I can already send individual parts to my colleagues working on TopSolid’Cam. The data can be transferred without problems. This helps us saving time and money”, says M. Middelbeck. In the shop floor Kröger uses the modules TopSolid’Electrode to create electrodes and TopSolid’Wire for wire-cutting operations. The digital process-chain is closed and the data transfer, both internally between different departments and externally with customers, is guaranteed.

The tool and mold maker is technically supported by the TopSolid dealer WeSt, Sulzbach, Germany. The company West has supported Kröger from the very beginning and as early as 1998 had already convinced Kröger of the several technical advantages of the system. Since then WeSt maintains very well the system and offers high quality support at any time via the Hotline or personally. Furthermore WeSt offers TopSolid training programmes for the 5 CAD/CAM engineers.
“We are very satisfied with the support from the company WeSt. Up until now we have always gotten help with any problem”, says M. Kröger.

The future would seem very positive for Kröger. Being specialised in technical tools and dies the company has established a very good reputation in this branch. is the company aims to produce high-quality tools which responds exactly to what their customers are looking for. Furthermore Kröger offers a very good customer service. In case of a last minute tool modification the whole team is available to work on the project (day or night). Also with the other tool and mold makers in the region Kröger has a very good relationship. They mutually help each other and often work on common projects. The company Kröger was the first tool and mold maker in the region that invested in TopSolid from Missler Software. Today the advantages of the system have convinced many other tool and mold makers who have since them opted for TopSolid. Kröger is a growing company and plans to move shortly to another building with more space for a bigger shop floor. This will give the possibility to enlarge the machine park.