Empowering Inclusive Workplaces with ZW3D at Diakonie Sachsen

Company Overview

Diakonie Sachsen, through its subsidiary Lebensbrücke in Glauchau, is dedicated to providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities who cannot work in the regular labor market. With over 255 employees, Diakonie Sachsen focuses on inclusive work environments where individuals are supported and empowered to achieve their potential.

Challenge

The diverse nature of Lebensbrücke’s operations, spanning across various industries such as sanitary, automotive, and general craftsmanship, required a versatile CAD/CAM solution. Their existing methods, which heavily relied on manual input and measurements, often led to inefficiencies and errors in programming CNC machines. Moreover, the need to simplify complex tasks for employees with varying skill levels in CAD software was crucial.

Solution

Lebensbrücke turned to ZW3D as a comprehensive solution to address these challenges. The software’s ability to seamlessly integrate into their woodworking and metalworking operations made it the ideal choice. Upon a recommendation from a colleague who attended machinery training, Lebensbrücke initiated a partnership with Encee, ZW3D’s local distributor. This partnership provided personalized support and an on-site training program tailored to the needs of Lebensbrücke’s employees.

Since introducing ZW3D in November 2023, Lebensbrücke has experienced a significant transformation. The software was quickly adopted, thanks to its user-friendly interface and support. The transition from manual programming to utilizing CAD models provided by customers allowed for the precise creation of 2D and 3D CAM programs. This process is further enhanced by a custom post-processor that outputs NC or ISO programs directly to their machines, significantly improving accuracy.

The implementation of ZW3D has yielded numerous benefits for Lebensbrücke:

●Increased Efficiency: The streamlined programming process has drastically reduced errors, leading to a more efficient workflow and higher-quality output.

●Enhanced Employee Capability: Even employees with no prior experience in CAD software can now effectively contribute, thanks to ZW3D’s intuitive design and the comprehensive training provided.

●Improved Customer Communication: The ability to work directly with customer-provided CAD models has not only improved the precision of their work but also simplified the quotation and communication processes with clients.

●Inclusive Work Environment: With ZW3D, Lebensbrücke fosters an environment where employees with disabilities are empowered to engage more fully in the production process, including programming and operating CNC machines.

Sebastian Neumeier, who works in the metalworking department at Lebensbrücke, shared his experience: “Since implementing ZW3D, we've seen a significant reduction in programming errors and a boost in efficiency. The software’s structure allows us to quickly create CAM programs from multiple parts, making our processes much more streamlined.”

Looking ahead, Lebensbrücke aims to further integrate its employees into the programming and machining processes, continuing to use ZW3D as a tool for empowerment. The ultimate goal remains to equip its employees with the skills needed to transition into the regular labor market, making ZW3D not just a software solution but a cornerstone of its mission to enable sustainable and inclusive work environments.

ZW3D has proven to be more than just a CAD/CAM solution for Diakonie Sachsen’s Lebensbrücke workshop—it has become a key component in their mission to create an inclusive and efficient workplace. With its easy-to-use interface, robust capabilities, and excellent support, ZW3D continues to empower the organization and its employees to reach new heights in production and personal development.