Digital technologies for efficient automation

More than ever, the current challenges companies are facing demand a sustainable strategy that will ensure their competitiveness in the future. As a partner, Schunk therefore not only provides 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 pursues 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 can keep 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. They not only have a large number of communication interfaces, PLC function modules and plug-ins for different robot manufacturers. Additional setting options and regular software updates can also be used via the Control Center, allowing users to tap into the full potential of the grippers. The future-oriented platform is to be extended to all Schunk products in the long term.

Shared data brings added value for everyone

Schunk relies on an open, user-centered approach when developing its digital components. To this end, the company provides open source software for the new grippers on open platforms such as GitHub and ROS in order to further develop them in a way that is accessible to everyone and to expand 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 open up these diverse and complex areas of application in partnership, Schunk offers its specially developed humanoid 5-finger gripper hand SVH 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 created in the real world. In future, particularly complex systems can be designed and simulated faster 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 depict the physical behavior of the grippers in the movement process.

In Hanover, Schunk will be demonstrating what a virtual industrial process can look like using the example of a complete automation cell for battery cell handling in the field of e-mobility. It was developed together with technology partner ISG and enables simulation in the ISG Virtuos tool. This can be used to directly derive models for the NVDIA Omniverse, in which Schunk provides complete assemblies and customer-specific automation solutions for creating virtual industrial worlds in addition to its component libraries. The AI software of the HERMES AWARD 2024-winning 2D Grasping Kit for handling unsorted parts is also already being trained and further developed in the Metaverse.

At the Hannover Messe, Schunk will be demonstrating how a consistent technology strategy across all levels can ensure greater productivity and efficiency. Timo Gessmann, CTO of Schunk, puts it in a nutshell: "At Schunk, our customers are at the center of all our innovations. We complement physical components with digital solutions to meet customer needs and support efficient automation at every level - compatible with every ecosystem."

Networked exhibitor project "Battery Usecase"

E-mobility is a key topic in the energy transition and 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 partnership-based cooperation. Together with FANUC, Schunk will be presenting automated process steps for handling prismatic battery cells during discharge and feeding in a welding system. Visitors can explore the special show in hall 6, stand D51.

Hanover Fair, Hall 6, Stand F21