Machine Tending 101

The first IPAI Experience Day for invited guests took place in Heilbronn on October 23, 2024. Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, and Moritz Gräter, the CEO of the IPAI, kicked off the event with a joint welcoming speech in the well-attended "living room" of the IPAI. The aim of the evening was not only to provide exclusive insights into the work of the IPAI, but above all to promote networking among the participants. The SCHUNK office at the IPAI also welcomed all interested guests with open doors, and demonstrated what intelligent gripping can look like.

Baumann Automation has manufactured a screw assembly cell for a customer in the energy technology industry, featuring the SLD linear direct axis from SCHUNK at its core. Equipped with five independently movable slides for the screw units, the positions can be freely programmed, creating an efficient screw process with short cycle times and an exceptionally compact cell design. The customer is highly satisfied: The automation module perfectly fits into the existing production line.

For more than 30 years, the SCHUNK PGN-plus-P gripper has been the most versatile gripper on the market, and is constantly finding new applications. A current and unusual application example is the use in the automated production of animal feed from insect larvae in Austria.

At the 2024 Digital Summit in Frankfurt am Main, digital innovation, sovereignty, and international collaboration were at the forefront. Business, academia, civil society, and politics engaged in discussions about the digital challenges of our time. SCHUNK also actively participated, aiming to highlight the transformative power of the metaverse together with other global players and policymakers.