HANDLER

Feature

news Feature

JEC World 2018 concluded with a record increase in attendance

JEC World 2018 concluded with a record increase in attendanceJEC World 2018 closed its doors on March 8 with a record increase in attendance. The show welcomed more than 1,300 exhibitors from every continent and counted 42,445 professional visits from 115 countries."The ability of JEC Group to gather the whole composites Industry under one roof over 3 days lies in the fact that we always initiate new precursory programs to the service of composites professionals.” says Ms. Frédérique Mutel, JEC Group President & CEO.JEC World initiated some new programs this year, for instance the Composite Challenge allowing 10 PhD students to pitch their thesis in front of the industry. In the same spirit, the event increased in power its Start Up Booster and Innovation Award Programs to accelerate relations between young or innovative companies with investors or established enterprises.Besides, the event launched the new Book on Natural Fibers: Flax and Hemp, which facilitated strong communications on Composites Environmental Input and Recycling.JEC World 2018 was the first event to promote and host the new “French Fab”, a French government initiative to internationally promote the French Industry and Manufacture. The event also welcomed the French Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance Ms. Delphine Gény-Stephann.Source: China Plastic & Rubber Journal

Aeyoung Park 2018-03-19

Chinaplas 2018) Arburg to focus on Industry 4.0 at Chinaplas

Arburg to focus on Industry 4.0 at Chinaplas▲ Arburg GmbH + Co. KG will show technologies for Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing at Chinaplas.Arburg GmbH + Co. KG will show technologies for Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing at Chinaplas, in Stand L61 in Hall 2.Other features include lightweight automotive parts, liquid silicone rubber molding, a medical application and a turnkey system for packaging.All exhibits will be connected by Arburg’s ALS host computer system.A turnkey system will produce folding crates — molding them on a hydraulic Allrounder 920 S press with a clamping force of 500 metric tons, molding all five parts at once in a 22-second cycle. A Multilift V 40 linear robot removes the parts at positions them in an automated assembly station.Arburg will present the ProFoam physical foaming in China for the first time — molding a glass-filled nylon part for an engine compartment.In medical, an Allrounder 370 E Golden Electric press will turn out polycarbonate “Y” connectors for intravenous drip therapy.An Allrounder C Golden Edition will produce flexible LSR cases for the iPhone 8.Arburg, based in Lossburg, Germany, also will show a Freeformer additive manufacturing machine making cable clips.For information, www.arburg.com.Source: Plastics News

Aeyoung Park 2018-02-26

JEC Innovation Awards 2018: 30 finalists exemplify the best of composite innovation worldwide

The JEC Innovation Awards ceremony will take place on March 7, 2018 at JEC World 2018, Paris Nord Villepinte JEC Group, the largest composites organization in the world, presents a new format for its prestigious JEC INNOVATION AWARDS competition, announcing today the 30 finalists divided into 10 categories. A renowned jury of experts will select one winner per category. The 10 winners will be announced in a ceremony at JEC World 2018 on March 7, 2018."Like every year, we received hundreds of applications for the JEC Innovation Awards, this success truly shows that this program is a recognized tool for spotting and promoting innovation in the Composites Industry", says Ms. Frédérique Mutel, JEC Group President and CEO. "I am particularly delighted to introduce another brand new feature to this program: the Public vote. Indeed, our jury will choose the winners according to specific criteria such as involvement of partners in the value chain, technicity or again market application, but the general public will be able to vote for their favorite Innovation, either online or via JEC World Mobile Application! The public vote winner will be announced at the end of JEC World and people will be able to vote before and after the ceremony!" she adds.A jury of experts10 experts from around the world will reward 10 Composites Champions who presented their Innovations in Composite end-user markets . The panel of judges is made up of: • Anurag BANSAL, Manager Global Business development at ACCIONA INFRAESTRURAS (Spain) • Christophe BINETRUY, Professor at ECOLE CENTRALE DE NANTES (France) • Robert BUCHINGER, Chief Technology Officer at DAS ENERGY (Austria) • Grahame BURROW, Global President of MAGNA (USA) • Ali CALISKAN, CEO of KORDSA (Turkey) • Dominique DUBOIS, CEO of CARBOMAN Group (France) • Chantal FUALDES, Airbus Composite Airframe Executive Expert at AIRBUS (France) • Karl-Heinz FULLER, Manager hybrid materials, concepts and AMG at DAIMLER (Germany) • Sung HA, Professor at HANYANG UNIVERSITY (Korea) • Kiyoshi UZAWA, Professor/Director (Ph.D) at INNOVATIVE COMPOSITE CENTER (Japan)A new trophy representing the industryA brand new trophy has been created for the occasion. The new Composites trophy will combine parts from many different composite materials such as glass fiber, carbon fiber and natural fiber, representing the diversity of the industry.

Aeyoung Park 2018-02-02

NPE 2018) New Technology Zones at NPE

New Technology Zones at NPE2018The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced today that the association’s triennial show NPE2018: The Plastics Show, the industry’s leading international plastics manufacturing exposition and conference, will debut a new Medical Parts Processing Zone among the frequented Technology Zones on the show floor located in the South Building. This new sector-specific zone focuses on plastics materials, processes and technology advances for medical devices and diagnostics in healthcare industries.Propelling the demand for this specialized zone is the forecasted three percent growth in revenue from medical device manufacturing anticipated by 2023. This growth is centered around the emerging trend of using plastics in the medical and healthcare industries to create pioneering medical devices, equipment and treatment items. “Breakthroughs in the use of plastics will drive future medical care efficiencies and bring life-saving advances to hospitals globally,” said Glenn Anderson, NPE2018 Executive Committee Chair. “The Medical Parts Processing Zone will connect new technology providers with equipment manufacturers to source medical innovations and support the business initiatives of vertical market attendees.”Another new Technology Zone at NPE2018 will be the already sold-out Bottle Zone. It will cover more than 65,000 net square feet on the exhibit floor and will provide a comprehensive look at the trends, technical knowledge, innovations and suppliers that serve this booming sector of the plastics industry.▲ The Bottle Zone will show the next generation of bottles and containers from 80+ manufacturers and suppliers (© NPE2018)With plastic bottles and jars representing approximately 75 percent of all plastic containers by weight and expenditures on food-and-beverages increasing 5 % in the first quarter, growth in bottling manufacturing is taking hold in the U.S. and around the globe. Increased consumption makes the Bottle Zone the ideal place for manufacturers to strengthen their position in this uSD 12.6 billion sector of the industry, as reported in the January 2017, IBISWorld Industry Report 32616, "Plastic Bottle Manufacturing in the US."NPE2018 will feature 11 Technology Zones in total to reflect a streamlined attendee experience that will help to guide discussions between the attendee and suppliers on the newest equipment, processes and education opportunities transforming the plastics industry. Some of the highlights include the new Bottle Zone, as well as an expanded Re|focus Zone and 3D/4D Printing Zone, all designed to address the growing market demands, highlight innovations and technologies and provide customized education.Source: https://www.kunststoffe.de/en/news/overview/artikel/new-technology-zones-at-npe2018-4961437.html

Aeyoung Park 2017-12-28

Record participation marks start of EMO Hannover 2017

- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier opens world’s No. 1 metalworking trade fair- German industry displays great optimism- Numerous stimuli for Industry 4.0 expected ▲ Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau GmbH, Hall 24, Stand A01. Photo with: Carl Martin Welcker, Genera l Commissioner of EMO Hannover, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Peter Bole, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Foundation German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially opened EMO Hannover 2017 this morning, stating that “an open society and prosperous economy rest on a foundation of communication and trust. Trade fairs like EMO embody this in a concrete and tangible way. Fortunately, this tradition continues to flourish, even in an age of digital catalogs, video conferences and just-in-time production.” ▲ Opening Ceremony of EMO Hannover on 18 September 2017, Convention Center, Room 2, Hannover Exhibition Grounds. Phot with: Stephan Weil, Prime Minister of Lower Saxony Stephan Weil, Premier of the German state of Lower Saxony, echoed these sentiments, commenting that “Germany’s and Lower Saxony’s economic dynamism is a direct result of our industrial strength. EMO exhibitors are demonstrating ways not only of maintaining, but also expanding this strength by concentrating on the factors of precision, quality, productivity and above all new solutions dedicated to the issues of connectivity and digitization.” Under the motto of Connecting systems for intelligent production, over 2,200 exhibitors from 44 different nations (compared with 2,131 in 2013) are showcasing their machines, solutions and services for industrial production at the event. “The ‘crème de la crème’ of international production engineering is convening this week at EMO in Hannover,” reported EMO General Commissioner Carl Martin Welcker on opening day of the event. He continued: “We are expecting to host key buyers from major users of machine tools, including customer delegations from more than 20 different nations, numerous representatives from the political and production engineering sphere as well as countless production experts from across the globe.” EMO is going to ignite a spark for production connectivity, while focusing on numerous innovations in the traditional production engineering disciplines. Luigi Galdabini, President of the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries (CECIMO), emphasized the key role played by the machine tool industry: “During its weeklong run, EMO Hannover will function as the world’s biggest factory and thus as a first-class showcase for innovation,” he remarked. Bernd Leukert, executive board member of the Walldorf-based SAP SE, added that the process of digital transformation was impacting not only the production sphere across all sectors, but even revolutionizing society as a whole. Capital goods industry optimistic around the world EMO Hannover 2017 is taking place in a promising economic environment. The mood is good and key economic indicators are pointing upwards,. Meanwhile, the IMF just recently confirmed its growth prognosis of 3.5 percent for global GDP. According to forecasts by British-based Oxford Economics – the forecasting partner of the German Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (VDW), which produces EMO – industrial production and investment on the part of the machine tool industry’s main client industries is expected to grow this year by 3.4 to 5.6 percent. The two organizations also expect Asia to take the lead in investment growth at a rate of 6.5 percent, followed by Europe and the Americas. Machine tool consumption is expected to grow at a rate of 3.2 percent. Europe is in first place here, with growth of 4.0 percent. The southern European nations of Italy and Spain, but also France – all three large machine tool markets within Europe – continue to be stable drivers of European growth. Asia is expected to increase its machine tool consumption by 3.5 percent in 2017. On the one hand, China has emerged from its dry spell and is expected to grow at a rate of 3.9 percent. On the other, analysts are expecting the ASEAN markets to bounce back. In the Americas, the machine tool market is expected to stabilize: Following a downturn in 2016, forecasters are expecting 0.5 percent growth there in 2017. “On the whole, the international economy is providing the ideal prerequisites for increased sales, which can be prepared and even concluded at EMO Hannover,” stated Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, Chairman of VDW. ▲ Opening of the EMO Hannover with the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau GmbH, Hall 24, Stand A01 German machine tools enjoy booming export market In Germany the first half of 2017 yielded positive figures for the machine tool industry. “Our expectations have been fully met,” declared VDW Chairman Prokop. Production was up 3 percent, he said, while employment increased by 2.3 percent for a total of 70,360 employees in absolute terms. Utilization of capacity reached almost 95 percent in July, while order backlogs were running at 7.1 months. During the first half of 2017, German machine tool exports were booming, climbing twice as fast as actual production volumes. The main source of demand came from Asia, where German exporters registered an increase of 16 percent. As the biggest Asian market, China chalked up a strong growth rate of 18 percent, pulling other Asian countries in its wake. A particularly noteworthy statistic consists of the growth in exports to Japan, reaching a level of 60 percent. India and Taiwan are also developing in a highly positive direction. Exports to the Americas are likewise experiencing two-digit growth, at 11 percent. Sales in the United States are up 15 percent, notwithstanding current government policy trends. Export volumes to Mexico stayed strong, in line with brisk order volumes the previous years. The international auto industry had been investing heavily for many years – a boom which is now coming to an end, with orders down sharply. Brazil, on the other hand, has overcome its ordering slump, although departing from a low level. Europe’s order volume was down one percent year on year, while France registered an increase of 21 percent, making it the third largest market after China and the United States. The “problem children” of Russia and Turkey experienced a slight increase in exports, although the current order volume is down significantly. This is equally true for Great Britain, where the “Brexit effect” is making itself felt, here as in other areas. Growth in production confirmed Although order volumes were down a slight 1 percent for the German machine tool industry in the first half of 2017, this meant the industry was essentially able to maintain the high order levels it already had, according to VDW Chairman Prokop. While domestic orders were down 15 percent, foreign orders were up 6 percent. Industry observers are expecting a substantial pickup in business for the second half of 2017, particularly in terms of domestic sales. One reason is that base effects, which had had an impact in the first half of the year, are no longer applicable. A first ray of hope was apparent as early as July, with domestic orders up by 28 percent. And machine and plant manufacturers – the machine tool industry’s main client – are moreover reporting an increase in order volumes. Investment in general is picking up in German industry, as its export business takes a more dynamic turn. Up to now, the German economic cycle had been carried largely by consumption and new construction. “All signals are go,” according to Prokop. “Based on the promising situation, we are expecting a confirmation of our production forecast from the beginning of the year, which predicted a growth rate of 3 percent.” EMO will showcase an array of innovations in all areas of technology and will consequently serve as a strong driver of investment. Trade visitors to Hannover can expect to see numerous high-caliber offerings from international exhibitors in the coming week, along with a rich and varied supporting program covering myriad aspects of production markets, technologies, connectivity and safety. “We look forward to greeting visitors from around the globe,” concluded EMO General Commissioner Welcker.

Ms. Kang 2017-09-22

EMO 2017) German Machine Tool Manufacturers Tackle Industry 4.0 Together

VDW starts initiative for networked production ▲ the Association’s press conference The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) presents the industry initiative of the German machine tool industry for networked production for the first time at the EMO Hannover 2017. “The aim is to develop a standard for linking a huge range of disparate machinery control systems to a shared interface (a connector), and create the requisite software,” says Dr Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, Chairman of the VDW on the occasion of the Association’s press conference. A core team is involved in the first phase of the project with the companies DMG Mori, Emag, Grob, Heller, Liebherr-Verzahntechnik, United Grinding, Trumpf and the VDW. The VDW Executive Board decided on this project in spring of this year, because there has not been a standardised and consistent solution so far. With the planned standard, data is to be read from different machines with different controllers of many generations and transported into infrastructural systems or the cloud in a standardised data format in order to analyse it and use it for optimizing production tasks. “This is the basic requirement for the success of Industry 4.0, especially in medium-sized firms,” states Prokop. For the machinery manufacturers, too, this would be a significant easing of their workload, enabling them to shed tasks that although they urgently need to be completed are nonetheless outside a manufacture’s core remit and entail high costs. The standard being targeted thus frees the individual VDW member from time-consuming work on infrastructural issues. Not least, this creates an open system that offers an urgently needed degree of independence and flexibility. “Unfortunately the most recent developments showcased here at the fair also show that in the case of control systems, particularly, the trend toward proprietary eco-systems is still ongoing,” says Prokop. “We intend to counteract this, and are therefore endeavouring to establish a development partnership with the control system manufacturers in particular, in order to render the VDW’s planned specification usable on the broadest possible scale.” Initial results expected at the beginning of 2018 The following aspects are to be implemented first of all during the course of the project: 1. Joint development of an interface specification 2. Implementation of a so-called connector stack that translates signals from different controller interfaces according to OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture). 3. Implementation of a gateway that allows a secure connection to different IT systems and clouds on the basis of the OPC UA data structure via standard protocols The VDW had already started developing a so-called companion specification in 2013. It has been published since July of this year by the standardisation organisation OPC Foundation. Therefore, the project team can start with joint expansion of this companion specification immediately after the EMO with shared expansion of this interface specification. Our goal is coherently harmonised networking of the production operation; the vehicle for this purpose is OPC-UA, and the energy that drives us forward is the jointly specified constant component of the data that we have to exchange for this purpose,” emphasises Prokop. Results should be available in the first quarter of 2018. The aim is the presentation of a basic data record that can then be commented on publically in the context of the usual standardisation procedures. The requirements are to be specified, the basic specification programmed and around 30 data records described. When the data is available in a standardised format, the interface to the “rest of the world” still has to be defined. There are already standardised protocols for this, similar to the ones known for the transfer to an Internet browser by means of HTTPS. However, access to this data must be regulated. It requires authentication and access protection. The data must also be pre-compressed and buffered where applicable, because raw data in particular cannot be sent through the network in high resolution and in real time without having an adverse effect on the machine performance. All these functions are taken over by a gateway that will be specified and implemented as a second project phase. The third project phase finally deals with the test of the developed solutions with different VDW members. “Furthermore, we will analyse which providers of infrastructure and cloud services most likely cover the need of smaller and medium-sized machine manufacturers in particular,” says Prokop as he describes the further course of action. If the data interface represents the bottom end of networking, then there must be a technological platform at the top end that is as standardised as possible, for which each machine manufacturer can in turn develop its own smart apps. That would be part of the core business of every provider in the future. “This means the provider could deploy his expertise to optimum effect and differentiate himself from the competition, says Prokop. Sectoral cooperation is the right way forward The machine tool industry and the VDW are breaking new ground with this cooperation. On the one hand, it is obvious, because a lone wolf would quickly reach its limitations. Without a generally valid standard, the solutions of Industry 4.0 will also find it difficult to find market acceptance and thus rapidly increasing dissemination. “It is our conviction that it is good and correct to throw any reservations against cooperation overboard, adopt the principle of sharing knowledge, profit from it and work on a common solution,” summarises Prokop. With the results, even medium-sized firms will be capable of acting very quickly.

Ms. Kang 2017-09-22

EMO 2017) Measurements trigger an appetite for more

Progressively larger volumes of data smooth the path of machine learning for adoption in production operations ▲ Head of the Automation Technology Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology (IPK), BerlinPhoto: Fraunhofer IPK Between fascination and a slight uneasiness –that's roughly the sort of subliminal reaction even experts occasionally feel when it comes to the subject of “artificial intelligence”. Autonomous robots, self-driving vehicles or cognitive systems that image the functioning of the human brain and are even able to checkmate a chess grandmaster, may trigger concerns regarding a loss of human control. As a key technology for Industry 4.0, self-learning systems can be expected to find their way into the factories, especially if they are introduced gradually and “in small digestible pieces”, and prove that money can be earned with them. As a sub-category in the field artificial intelligence (AI), it’s primarily machine learning (ML) that’s relevant for industrial manufacturing operations. ML enables systems to understand their surroundings, to plan actions, to respond to impediments, and to communicate with humans. Machines use production data and intelligent algorithms to learn to recognise recurrent patterns and objects autonomously. The learned knowledge can then be applied to unknown and unsorted data. This enables sources of error be identified, processes to be planned and optimised, and forecasts to be drawn up. Machine learning needs Big DataThe hype currently associated with machine learning, although the concept in actuality dates back to the 1980s, is due to the modern-day options for data processing. It was only with the advent of Big Data applications, high–performance computers and gigantic cloud memories that the appropriate infrastructure came into being, used primarily at first by the internet giants. But the industrial sector is following suit. “From the perspective of robotics, we are following very closely what players on the global market like Google and Amazon, with their IT competences and infrastructures, are developing and researching in regard to production technology,” confirms Prof. Jörg Krüger, Head of the Automation Technology Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology (IPK) in Berlin. But the examples from the IT conglomerates cannot be adopted just as they are for industrial applications as well. It’s true than many companies, especially large ones from the automation and control segment, have been infected by the “ML virus”. But in the view of sectoral pundits the use of machine learning in the industrial segment is in many cases still in its infancy. This appraisal should not be obscured by spectacular demonstrations, e.g. when IBM impresses the public with its Watson system in the Cognitive Factory. Or when Festo, with fascinating exhibits like the very recent “elephant’s trunk”, an intelligent bionic handling assistant, answers the question of how people in the factories of tomorrow can interact with their machines simply, efficiently and above all safely. The technology exists. It’s exciting, and stimulates the imagination, but translating it into real products capable of delivering sales and profits will probably take some years yet. SMEs and start-ups – the ball’s in their courtThe fundamental question involved here is whether machine learning is only something for global players and their ideas for a comprehensive concept of a digital factory. Or whether, besides a top-down development thrust by financially potent large companies with their highly competent research and development departments, a bottom-up breakthrough spearheaded by flexible, innovative small and mid-tier enterprises would also be conceivable. “Artificial intelligence is an important issue for the future,” says Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) and an organiser of the EMO Hannover 2017 (18 to 23 September), the world’s premier trade fair for the metalworking sector. “So small and mid-tier enterprises should also address the possibilities of machine learning in their production operations, enabling them to derive options in good time for their own development thrust.” ▲ Collecting data for machine learning and Industry 4.0: smart flanged bearing with integrated force measurement from Sensosurf. For Dr. Cord Winkelmann, Managing Director of Sensosurf in Bremen, things have already been set in motion here on many fronts. “The big companies tend to develop their own solutions, often very complex and comprehensive ones, sometimes spectacular and very effective in terms of marketing,” he comments. “These include a kind of bee swarm flying to and fro, collecting information, exchanging mutual feedback, networking, moving things forward. Digitalisation there is a boardroom issue.” Innovative start-ups can make their own contribution to progressing development. Sensosurf has adopted the slogan “Sensor integration meets machine learning”. Founded in 2016 as a spin-off of the Institute for Microsensors, -Actuators and –Systems (IMSAS) at Bremen University, the company transfers micro-system technologies to the tough environmental conditions encountered in the mechanical engineering sector. These include flanged and pedestal bearings, linear guides and threaded rods. “We’re exploring fields from which so far there had been as yet scanty information or none at all available,” says Dr. Winkelmann. For data evaluation, machine learning is deployed in order to use information on the machines and processes. Strategy of small stepsLarge quantities of data are essential for machine learning; without them it’s simply not possible. For swift market penetration, says Dr. Winkelmann, it’s crucial that the information generated pays off from the very first moment. “It’s always the small steps we begin,” he explains. These include data evaluation at the machine, networking the machines with each other, detecting what’s characteristic about what’s happening. “Once you see what data are obtained, evaluated and visualised, you quickly get used to the new insights and the opportunities they offer,” says Dr. Winkelmann. “Measurements trigger an appetite for more.” What proves most persuasive for machinery manufacturers, he says, is that the machine learns to protect itself against operator error. The data obtained can also be used as a defence against unjustified warranty claims, for example. “It’s important to map out migration paths for companies showing how they can introduce the technology of machine learning in small, digestible pieces,” concurs Fraunhofer expert Prof. Krüger. He sees the principal focuses of using ML at machine tool manufacturers as currently centred around the field of condition monitoring. This essentially involves interpreting measured data using pattern detection processes. The knowledge required for detecting process or machine conditions is acquired by the processes of machine learning. ▲ The HPS high-power storage system from Gerotor will be premiered at the EMO Hannover 2017 (18 to 23 September). The idea for the modern flywheel accumulator originated with Formula 1. Potentials in energy managementBesides the fields of predictive maintenance, condition monitoring and quality management, however, self-learning systems can also progress energy management. At the EMO Hannover 2017, the Munich-based company Gerotor will be premiering its HPS high-power storage system, which is designed to reduce the energy and connection costs involved with the aid of intelligent algorithms. The idea for the product originated with Formula 1, or to be more precise with the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used there. The system was imposed upon racing cars at the time for reasons of environmental protection, since it returns to the drive axle energy produced during violent braking manoeuvres, by means of a rotating flywheel system. Gerotor’s founders saw huge potential in “this efficient and at the same time wear-free technology, not only for cars driving round in circles,” as Gerotor’s director Michael Hein colloquially puts it. In the search for an application that likewise involves many and frequent braking and acceleration functions, sometimes within a matter of seconds, they found what they were looking for with machine tools and tool spindles. The advantages of digitalising and networking the power storage system were obvious: “If you’re inside the energy circuit, you’re in the information centre too.” Coupled directly to the line, without requiring a power connection of its own, the new power storage system upgrades the efficiency of the entire line by means of energy recovery, peak smoothing and digitalisation. For this purpose, the system measures all currents and cycles, acquires data and information, improves its own algorithms, and draws conclusions. Whereas with traditional control strategies energy savings of at most 10 to 25 per cent can be achieved, says Michael Hein, users with intelligent strategies ought to achieve about double the savings effect. For Michel Hein, energy management offers a particularly simple and efficient entry route into ML. “Energy systems have to be 100-per-cent predictive,” he emphasises. “We need intelligent control strategies and an infrastructure that re-adjusts itself.” Return on investment is crucialHe admits, however, that the concept of machine learning is practically ignored in meetings with customers The crucial consideration is rather the ROI (return on investment): “We sell our products solely by means of the argument that we save more than we cost.” This may in fact be one of the reasons why many companies tend to be rather taciturn when asked about their ML strategies. Machine learning is a means to an end, not a sales argument. There is in any case no blueprint for introducing your own strategies. It’s advisable to call in some expert knowledge, through either one of the various Fraunhofer institutes or outside service providers. As Jörg Krüger explains, each company first has to clarify what form of intelligence is desired for a machine, a system or a robot, such as detection of the machine’s condition, autonomy, automatic adaption to changes like tool wear and tear or component characteristics. Autonomous replanning and self-organisation of production sequences, comprehending human commands and gestures for simplified programming das also rank among the capabilities that a machine could learn by itself. But Jörg Krüger also points out that this entails a further question: who checks whether something has been properly learned before the machine starts to operate automatically with the knowledge concerned? There are also questions to be answered regarding IT security and data protection, or who assumes liability for decisions taken by an intelligent system. Could perhaps once again the “uneasiness” in dealing with cognitive systems, and possible loss of control come into play here? Cord Winkelmann doesn’t think so. A much more serious impediment for machine learning, he believes, and indeed for the digital transformation in general, is the inadequate provision of fast internet in many places, particularly for plants located in rural areas. Author: Cornelia Gewiehs, freelance journalist from Rotenburg

Ms. Kang 2017-09-22

Liebherr presents cutting edge machine tools and automation systems in EMO Hannover 2017

Flexibility Redefined: Liebherr is expanding its range of pallet handling systems▲ Overview of automation systems from LiebherrA combination of machining centres with pallet handling systems has proven to be a good solution for an automation system for small-scale series down to batch sizes of one. For that reason, Liebherr is now further expanding its product range in the field of automation systems. The new PHS Allround will celebrate its world premiere at this year's EMO.Fast, powerful and flexible – The new gantry portal LP 100▲ The LP 100 gantry robot can be built with a wider clearance between uprights.Liebherr is plugging a gap in the automation system field with the new LP 100 gantry portal, which is particularly suitable for handling smaller and lighter components. Its flexible design makes it dovetail well with inline production concepts, where workpieces have to cover larger distances. The benefits of the LP 100 · Optimum matching of costs and speed (Standard, High-Speed, High-Load)· Parallel assembly operations feasible for short lead and delivery times· Higher speed for faster cycle timesNew generation of gear hobbing machinesThe newly developed LC 280 α gear hobbing machine provides Liebherr quality with maximum flexibility and short delivery times. The new development relies on tried-and-tested know-how – at the same time including many improved components.▲ Liebherr is opening a new chapter in the evolution of gear hobbing.CBN ranks high for internal gearsFor around two years now Liebherr has been using single-, double- and triple-ribbed CBN profile grinding discs – with great success. “Our users are very satisfied with the results”, reports Janus Siegfried, Head of Tool Production and Technology in the Ettlingen plant.▲ Single-ribbed CBN profile grinding disk from LiebherrChamferCut solutions from LiebherrFor years, ChamferCut has been the best and most efficient solution for deburring and chamfering. In addition to the LD 300 C, which was introduced last year, the new stand-alone solution LD 180 C offers new opportunities for introducing the method in existing production lines.▲ Gear hobbing machine LC 300 DC with integrated ChamferCut unit▲ The Liebherr solution: simultaneous chamfering▲ Profitability analysis Advantages of the method· Very precise chamfer geometry· Premium chamfer quality and reproducibility· No bulging or material deformation· Standard tooth-root chamfering· Established process in gear production· Very long tool life· ChamferCut tools can easily and cost-effectively be re-sharpened approx. 20 times · Lower tool costs compared to alternative processes· Short amortization period due to low tool costs· Application range module 0.8 - 3.5 · 2nd cut omitted when gear hobbing - thus higher tool life quantity with gear hobbing· Short setup times Advantages of the machines· User-friendly software· Simple adjustment or corrections via CNC axes· Simple adaptation at varying flank corrections· Dry and wet machining possible· Automatic loading with new lift/tilt loader(robot also optional)· Flexible automation, e.g. via plastic chain conveyor, palletizing cell· Right/Left operation: Control cabinet can be freely positionedEverythingfrom a single source with Skiving3: Machine – Tool – Process Gear skiving according to the Liebherr concept has proved itself. Specialists from Kempten, Ettlingen and Collegno offer competences from a single source in a full-service package. Machines overview LK 300/500· Maximum module: 5· Maximum gearing diameter: 300 / 500 mm· Maximum workpiece outside diameter: 500 / 600· Maximum table speed: 3000 / 1500 1 / min· Maximum tool diameter: 250 mm· Maximum tool speed: 2700 rpm· Maximum spindle output: 32 kW▲ Gear skiving machine LK 500▲ Workpiece machined with Skiving processContact personThomas WeberMarketingTelephone: +49 831 786-3285E-Mail: thomas.weber@liebherr.com

Ms. Kang 2017-08-11