Added value through digitalization
Three questions for... Dr. Kurt Schmalz
Companies expect real increases in efficiency and shorter throughput times when they use digitalization solutions. Dr. Kurt Schmalz, Managing Partner of J. Schmalz, explains the challenges and benefits of networking and HRC.
Human-machine and human-robot collaboration will also be a major topic at Motek this year. How have you prepared for this?
Human-machine collaboration is an absolute trend topic that we have been focusing on for some time. We need to analyze the requirements that the use of mobile robots places on the components. On the one hand, they must be light and flexible - the payload of a lightweight robot is limited and its place and purpose of use is variable. On the other hand, safety and thus the requirements of ISO TS 15066, a standard for cooperation between humans and collaborative industrial robots, play an important role. Our answers to this are special ready-to-connect components that are used as end-of-arm tooling on gantries and robots. Specific examples are the FXCB area gripper and the ECBPi cobot pump. While we designed the gripper solution specifically for safe human-robot collaboration, it was important for the electric vacuum generator to dispense with conventional tubing in favor of flexible use. All components have the same communication capability so that they can be easily integrated into a modern production environment.
With Smart Field Devices, Schmalz has components in its range that can be networked with the production environment. What advantages does this offer the user?
The basic prerequisite for implementing Industry 4.0 is the availability of all relevant process data in real time. By equipping our components with functions for energy and process control, they can collect and interpret data and make it available via IO-Link. In this way, they support the energy and condition monitoring function and contribute to predictive maintenance. The benefit for the user is significant cost savings by avoiding downtime, for example. In addition to IO-Link, our smart field devices are equipped with an NFC interface. This allows the user to conveniently read out data on their smartphone - as well as information on operation or error messages. With the help of the app, commissioning and service times are reduced by over 70 percent in some cases.
Where do you see challenges in implementing digitalization in Germany and how do you deal with them?
Over time, the motivation behind the use of digitalization solutions has changed. Although the pilot use of digitalization solutions in production and mechanical engineering continues to meet with great interest, the willingness to use digitalization for the sake of digitalization is decreasing. In many projects, we are now at the transition to comprehensive solutions and series implementation. The focus is no longer on interest in new technologies, but on the genuine added value of mechanical engineering solutions. Companies expect real increases in efficiency and shorter throughput times. Interaction with customers and the working environment for employees should also improve. For us as a supplier of components and intelligent sub-systems, uniform standards would significantly simplify the development and provision of corresponding smart field devices. However, there will be no global, uniform and completely consistent standardization in the area of digital transformation of mechanical engineering and production. We therefore focus on reference architectures and common market interfaces so that our communicative components can be easily integrated into modern automation environments.
Hall 3, Stand 3103
You might also be interested in
Safe and economical handling processes
Systematically simplified
In Munich, IEF-Werner is presenting its gantry system with the toothed belt axis module 115/25, which can be used to safely handle trays or small load carriers weighing up to 40 kg.
read more...Consistent quality thanks to high-precision positioning
Dresden-based positioning specialist Steinmeyer Mechatronik has developed a compact gantry system for inspection systems in semiconductor or optics production that combines maximum precision in the sub-micrometer range with long travel distances and...
read more...Autonomous systems and networked controls
Intelligent planning makes it easier to get started with automation
In today's manufacturing processes, machines and systems are becoming increasingly autonomous, intelligent and powerful. This applies above all to the end devices and tools used, which are necessary for process tasks.
read more...More installation space for higher requirements
With the UA1995, Tsubaki Kabelschlepp presents an all-rounder with extra installation space.
read more...Robots and linear technology cooperate
The clever combination of robotics and linear technology allows production processes to be implemented more efficiently and with higher quality, argues Nicole Hezinger from Item.
read more...Quick and precise placement
Positioning systems and pick-and-place systems must be able to move loads quickly and precisely. leanPositioning and leanP&P complete solutions from Leantechnik meet these requirements.
read more...Move loads flexibly
Jib cranes are an economical solution for a wide range of handling tasks.
read more...Linear unit with ball screw drive from Item
Precise and dynamic
The new KGT 6 60 linear unit from Item is characterized by precision, positioning accuracy, high propulsion force, safety, flexibility and a stroke of up to 2,600 mm.
read more...OEM specifications under control
Automotive suppliers need to have their own planning and production processes under control on the one hand and, above all, meet the increasing demands of OEMs on the other. This is hardly possible without high-performance information technology...
read more...