"The digital future begins with C.O.R.E.," emphasizes CEO Stephan Nell. The new hardware and software architecture developed by the Group's specialists and presented at the EMO in Milan opens up possibilities for networking, controlling and monitoring the production process and thus also for process optimization.

When the public discussion about Industry 4.0 became increasingly louder a few years ago, the United Grinding Group decided to invest more heavily in the digital future as a group. The aim and core of this development was to ensure increasing connectivity, i.e. the exchange of data between people, machines and the production environment, and to create the basis for the operation of modern IoT applications. The aim was also to enable intuitive operation that makes work easier for setters, machine operators and maintenance staff alike.

Intuitive operation

The next-generation machine tools equipped with C.O.R.E. technology can be recognized on the 24-inch full HD multi-touch display. This not only enables navigation like on a smartphone via "touch" and "swipe". Customers can also configure the user interface according to their individual requirements and sort the most important functions and operating displays according to personal preferences - similar to the app overview on a smartphone home screen.

Thanks to the new access system, which works via a personalized RFID chip, the individual user profile is loaded automatically. This not only makes logging in and out of the machine easier, but also much safer. The role profile stored for all users makes it possible to display only the information relevant to them. This reduces complexity and therefore also the susceptibility to errors.

When it comes to reducing complexity, it is also noticeable that the new C.O.R.E. panel largely dispenses with buttons. A striking feature is the feed rate override rotary switch, which can be used to regulate the feed rate of the axes simply by turning it. The standardized use of the C.O.R.E. panel for all brands also simplifies machine operation and makes training easier.

More than just an innovative control panel

Of course, the new control panel is only the external distinguishing feature of all machines equipped with the new C.O.R.E. technology. "There have also been major innovative developments behind the machine casing," emphasizes Christoph Plüss, CTO of the United Grinding Group. The universal operating system C.O.R.E. OS is installed on a powerful industrial PC, the C.O.R.E. IPC. This acts as an IoT gateway and is home to all software applications.

C.O.R.E. OS is also compatible with all CNC controls used at United Grinding. It also opens up a wealth of connectivity options. Not only can all machines with C.O.R.E. technology from the United Grinding Group be networked, but also third-party systems via implemented interfaces such as umati. Chat functions ensure quick and easy support and the integrated front camera even enables video calls.

Top benchmark: user experience

In the development process, which lasted several years, the software and process experts from all United Grinding Group brands combined their skills and designed an unprecedented software architecture. "The user experience, i.e. the immediate user experience, was always our top priority," explains CTO Plüss. The abbreviation C.O.R.E. stands for Customer Oriented REvolution.

In the field of operating systems and software architectures for machine tools, C.O.R.E. is a quantum leap, emphasizes company boss Stephan Nell. "It makes our machines fit for the digital future." C.O.R.E. technology is not the end of the development process. "This is a foundation on which we will build," says Plüss. "Development is continuing all the time. Thanks to the flexible, modular structure of the software architecture, we will continue to add new features and applications. We will use the concentrated software development power of our Group for the benefit of our customers." The aim is to regularly inspire customers with new C.O.R.E. software releases and actively shape the digital future in this way. In this way, the Group remains true to its primary goal of making its customers even more successful.