Machine Tending 101

Driving digital transformation and enhancing competitiveness – with this goal in mind, companies gathered on November 18, 2024, in Stuttgart for the first SME Day. The event was organized by Next Level Mittelstand (NLM), an initiative launched by Henrik A. Schunk, Chairman of the Steering Committee of Plattform Industrie 4.0, to further strengthen digital competencies in the industry.

With the revision of its MAGNOS magnetic chucks for deformation-free 5-sided machining, SCHUNK offers additional process reliability and user-friendliness. The new ePaper status display clearly shows the machine operator whether the magnetic chucks are activated or deactivated. In conjunction with a specially developed MAGNOS app, users can simulate their clamping situations in advance of machining.

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.