EMO 2019 – Smart Technologies for Future Production
Published on : Monday 30-11--0001
When leading metalworking companies of the world gather at the Hannover Fair Grounds from 16 to 21 September 2019, a wide range of innovations will be vying for visitor attention. Billed as the Mecca of Machine tool events globally, top companies have traditionally launched their latest developments at the biennial EMO, the undisputed innovation platform for metalworking machines, solutions and services, and the theme this year is “Smart technologies driving tomorrow’s production!” With machines becoming smarter, the spotlight will be on new applications like process monitoring and predictive maintenance using machine learning based on smart data and data analysis.
Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board, DMAG.
Glimpses of these were on display at the EMO Preview held in early July at Hannover, where more than 80 journalists from 32 countries were invited for a sneak preview presented by 38 exhibitors from 9 countries. Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board Deutsche Messe, welcoming the delegates referred to the unfolding of the Industry 4.0 at this very venue since 2011. “The term Industry 4.0 was coined here in 2011 and the fact that it has developed in such a positive way, is a gift for our location. All the issues regarding 5G, communication between machines will be discussed here so we are really convinced not only EMO but further industrial trade shows will find their home here,” he said.
Dr Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director, VDW
“The focus will be even stronger this year on digitalisation – data and how this can be used for IoT. Industry 4.0 is not just a virtual business model, but it is about products and productivity and flexibility because ultimately everything centres around parts cost, which users want to optimise to remain competitive in the long run,” said Dr Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the EMO organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), the organiser of EMO Hannover.
Over 80 journalists from 32 countries were invited for the EMO Preview.
Dr Schäfer, also referred to umati – the common language for Industry 4.0, and how the interface standard for machine tools based on OPC UA, with all its functionalities, will finally be presented at EMO Hannover 2019. This provides neutral and open connection of machines to higher-level IT systems. It is a prerequisite for the success of Industry 4.0. Only then can data from different machine manufacturers with different control systems be transferred to ERP and MES systems or into the cloud. More than 50 companies are collaborating in the joint working group for umati, including machine manufacturers, control suppliers, software developers and customers.
A demonstration at Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools with DMG Mori machine.
During the presentation, the companies present as exhibitors made a short pitch about their exhibition highlights. On the second day of the preview, the visiting journalists were taken to the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools at Leibniz University, Hannover, to witness the technology demonstrations for autonomous machine tools, a work in progress.
At EMO Hannover 2019, Matec will present several innovations in milling process.
The cutting edge
Agathon, the Swiss specialist of high-precision grinding and laser machines, is launching its five-axis kinematics solution for complex applications and enhanced graphic simulation with extended functionality. The over 100-year old company is also present in the Indian market, represented by Francis Klein. Besides grinding and laser machines, Agathon also specialises in guide and centring systems for moulds, where the range is now broadened to include dynamic applications as well.
Ms Bridget Joseph (left) of Industrial Automation was at the Preview.
Alpha Laser GmbH is another company that develops, produces and sells laser systems for welding, cutting and hardening of metals. As a pioneer in mobile machine concepts, Alpha Laser offers a variety of systems for flexible applications which are used in industrial manufacturing and repair of tools and moulds. At EMO Hannover 2019 the company will present the mobile laser ALFlak with 900 Watt laser power. The company has a broad sales and service network in Europe, America and Asia.
Motion plastics specialist igus will show how companies can benefit from digitisation
Among global majors, DMG Mori will use the EMO platform to present its latest innovations in the fields of Integrated Digitisation, Automation and Additive Manufacturing. As the world’s leading manufacturer of cutting machine tools, the pioneer in 42 industries, the group has 14 production plants and sales network in 79 countries, serving more than 100,000 customers. DMG Mori will showcase its technology excellence in the aerospace, automotive, die & mould and medical sectors.
pro-micron GmbH is a technology leader in the field of wireless sensor technology.
Another global company, Doosan Machine Tools, will introduce twenty-one high-end, multitasking, multi-axis machine tools, including six new products, along with its automation solutions at EMO Hannover 2019. The line-up ranges from high-end sophisticated machine tools to 5-axis multitasking machines to large-size machine tools. Doosan will also introduce its own NC platform, automation and upgraded processing features, and ‘idoo Control’ solutions designed for real-time monitoring, cost reduction, and productivity improvement. The company provides software programs and solutions including its own NC called ‘D300’.
Siemens has an extensive portfolio of products for machine tools.
Matec GmbH offers optimised process solutions economically with its CNC milling centres, turn/mill centres and gantry machines. A small company, it is a 100% subsidiary of the Anderson Group, focussed on innovative, customised machining solutions, individually adapted to the customer’s needs. The new highly dynamic series Matec 60/70 HV allows users to realise processes with a high demand in quality like the aerospace industry, also suitable for manufacturing of large parts. At EMO Hannover 2019, the company will present several innovations in milling process with its modular machines.
The finishing touch
What are parts and components without proper finish? Kapp Niles, known for high-quality and economical solutions for finishing gears and profiles, will present two pioneering developments of generating and profile gear grinding machines, high-precision analytical measuring machines as well as state-of-the-art solutions in the field of connected technologies. With a history of over 120 years, Kapp Niles is partner for companies from numerous industrial sectors in the segments mobility, automation and energy.
Xebec Technology is the specialist for professional deburring solutions. Founded in 1996 and focused on innovative tool solutions, the company advocates on-machine deburring, which broke down the myth of manual deburring. Not accepted in the beginning, this innovative concept today has become standard at global manufacturing sites. The unique ceramic fibre brushes offering perfect surface treatment is another example – one fibre bundle consists of 1,000 ceramic fibres which serve as cutting edges and offer an overwhelming grinding performance.
Clamping systems & grippers
Machine tools need a whole lot of accessories. AMF Andreas Maier GmbHh & Co KG, a clamping technology leader with over 5000 products in its range, will present modular grippers with adjustable gripping forces. The new gripping system for machine tools has a shaft interface and is exchanged like a tool from the magazine. “Our new grippers with adjustable gripping forces let users turn their machine tools into automatic machines that run without labour and with longer machine run times,” says Martin Tinger, Product Management Group Leader for AMF.
High-tech company Stark Spannsysteme, now integrated into the Römheld Group will focus on digitisation in applications with zero point clamping systems. The company is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of zero point clamping systems. Digitisation will also establish itself as a key player in zero-point clamping technology in the coming years. As a pioneer, Stark already offers for the individual customer requirements ready-made solutions.
Sensors & Industry 4.0
Motion plastics specialist igus will show how companies can benefit from digitisation with its range of smart plastics, in terms of increased fail-safety of machines. Sensors now monitor plastic solutions such as energy chains, cables, linear guides, plain bearings and slewing rings. The new icom.plus communication module used for networking allows the user to decide how to integrate the sensor data – from an offline version for restricted environments to connection to the igus server for automatic ordering of replacement parts.
With an average machine tool generating so much data, sensors are getting sophisticated and playing incremental role in digitisation. In recent years, pro-micron GmbH has established itself as a technology leader in the field of wireless sensor technology for monitoring and control tasks. These innovative, wireless sensor products are an important element of the transition to Industry 4.0. Using the patented pro-micron spike®_polar process, every single cutting edge is visible and its wear is translated into key figures so that the tool can be changed automatically before the cutting edge breaks.
Siemens has an extensive portfolio of products for machine tools centred on its Sinumerik CNC system offering digital solutions for more flexible production, greater productivity and higher quality. At EMO Hannover 2019, with Sinumerik ONE, Siemens will present the first “digital native” machine tool controller. Sinumerik ONE features powerful hardware and software to create a digital twin, which enables machine manufacturers to create a complete virtualisation of their development and machining processes.
The Schaeffler Group with its outstanding mechanical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of systems is a globally active industrial and automotive supplier of drive technology – bearings, linear guides and mechanical power transmission products. Drive technology today is integrated with industrial automation and IT, optimising performance. With innovative components, ready-to-install systems, and specific Industry 4.0 solutions, Schaeffler will present a wide range of new developments at the EMO Hannover 2019.
Truly international
EMO Hannover is indeed the only truly international platform for metalworking. It is not just the exhibitors who come from all parts of the world but also trade visitors. At EMO 2017, there were 2226 exhibitors of which 64% were international, and just under half of the roughly 130,000 visitors travelled to Hanover from outside Germany, with around 160 countries represented. The organisers expect similar numbers at the 2019 show.
From India there are already 31 companies registered and a few more expected to come.