More than ever, the current challenges companies are facing demand a sustainable strategy that will ensure that they can remain competitive in the future. As a partner, SCHUNK therefore does more than simply supply its customers with innovative automation concepts to increase productivity. The technology pioneer is also working on the digital development of its portfolio. To this end, SCHUNK is pursuing a comprehensive, partnership-based technology strategy for flexible, future-oriented automation in every environment and at every level of digitalization - today and tomorrow.
Easy-to-use, on one platform
In the SCHUNK Control Center, users have a transparent overview of their process steps at all times. Here, the latest mechatronic SCHUNK grippers can be digitally commissioned, monitored and adjusted at any time. The family includes the EZU centric gripper, the EGU parallel gripper and the ECG electric small parts gripper. Not only do they have a large number of communication interfaces, PLC function blocks and plug-ins for different robot manufacturers, but additional setting options and regular software updates can also be applied via the Control Center, allowing users to tap into the full potential of the grippers. In the long term, the future-oriented platform is to be extended to all SCHUNK products.
Shared data brings added value for everyone
When developing its digital modules, SCHUNK relies on an open, user-centered approach. To this end, the company provides open source software for the new grippers on open platforms such as GitHub and ROS with a view to further developing them for everyone and expanding the range of applications. There is great potential, not only in the field of industrial robotics, but also in cobots or humanoid robotics, which can be used in different environments. In order to develop these diverse and complex areas of application in partnership, SCHUNK offers its specially developed SVH humanoid 5-finger gripping hand as open source software and as a digital twin.
Virtual planning and faster implementation
In future, the digitalized factory will be planned and optimized virtually before it is constructed in the real world. In future, particularly complex systems can be designed and simulated more quickly and with less effort in the Industrial Metaverse. To this end, SCHUNK provides CAD data for all of its 13,000 components, which the company is gradually developing into realistic digital twins. The latest mechatronic grippers are already available as advanced digital twins which, in addition to the communication interfaces, also map the physical behavior of the grippers during the movement process.
In Hanover, SCHUNK will be demonstrating what a virtual industrial process can look like, drawing on the example of a complete automation cell for battery cell handling in the e-mobility sector. This was developed together with technology partner ISG and enables simulation in the ISG Virtuos tool. Models for the NVIDIA Omniverse can be derived directly from this, whereby SCHUNK provides complete assemblies and customer-specific automation solutions for the creation of virtual industrial worlds, in addition to its component libraries. The AI software of the 2D grasping kit for handling unsorted parts, which won the HERMES AWARD 2024, is also already being trained and further developed in the Metaverse.
At the Hannover Messe, SCHUNK will be demonstrating in practical terms how a consistent technology strategy can ensure greater productivity and efficiency across all levels. Timo Gessmann, CTO of SCHUNK, explains it in a nutshell: "At SCHUNK, our customers are at the center of all our innovations. We expand physical components with digital solutions in order to fulfil customer requirements and to support efficient automation on every level – compatible with every ecosystem."
"Battery Usecase" networked exhibitor project
E-mobility is a key topic in the energy transition and the industrial transformation. For this reason, exhibitors have joined forces in the "Battery Usecase" project to show how automated battery production and sustainable recycling processes can become a reality through collaborative partnerships. Together with FANUC, SCHUNK will be presenting automated process steps for handling prismatic battery cells during discharging and feeding in a welding system. Visitors can explore the special show in Hall 6, at Booth D51.
Visit SCHUNK at the Hannover Messe: Halle 6, Booth F21
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