New robot system for five machine models

The second generation of the RS 05-2 robot system was shown for the first time. The system can now be adapted to the front of the C 250, C400 and C32 machines and to the side of the C 12 and C 22 machines. The modular robot system requires a space of around 2 m². Depending on the application, it can be equipped with various storage modules: As a system with a single die, a storage unit with five telescopic drawers with die storage, a pallet storage unit or even as a Kanban system.

The robot's load capacity has been increased for the second generation: it can now handle blanks or workpieces weighing up to 10 kg.

It is also used for die handling from and into the various storage units by pulling the dies out of the storage unit or pushing them back in again using a pulling and pushing device adapted to the gripper. The robot can be equipped with either a single or double gripper. It also has an additional blow-off unit for cleaning the clamping device.

Using the Graphical Robot Programming (GRP), which is integrated into the SmartPad, the various workpiece blanks are positioned on the dies, robot sequences and the insertion of the workpieces into the respective clamping device of the machine are implemented via input values.

Operator access to the machine has also been optimized, making it easier for them to reach the work area and the storage tank for manual set-up or inspection work.

The robot system is supported by the Hermle Automation Control System, or HACS for short. The automation software has been in use for some time on the pallet changing and handling systems and also on robot systems. In addition, a swivel-mounted control panel has been adapted at the set-up station. The user interface enables the operator to use various applications and operating functions such as drag & drop. In addition, the clear structure of the system provides an overview of all relevant data both at the set-up station and on the machine control system, be it a system overview, work plans, pallets, sequence plan, tasks or a tool table. All newly set-up workpieces are automatically added to the sequence plan. Orders can be prioritized by defining them.

Successful 2018, decline in sales expected for 2019

The Swabian machine tool manufacturer was able to increase its order intake worldwide. Group-wide, it rose by 9.9 percent to 475.9 million euros (2017: 433.2 million euros). In Germany, incoming orders amounted to 217.9 million euros (2017: 171.7 million euros), while orders worth 258.0 million euros were received from abroad (2017: 261.5 million euros). The Hermle Group's order backlog increased by 18.4 percent to 148.0 million euros at the end of 2018 compared to the reporting date.

In the past financial year, turnover grew by 12.7% to a record 452.9 million euros (2017: 402.0 million euros). Domestic sales accounted for 186.8 million euros and international sales for 266.1 million euros. The export ratio rose slightly by 0.6 percentage points to 58.8%. According to the company, good capacity utilization, the high-quality product portfolio and currency gains had a positive impact on the earnings situation. This also compensated for rising raw material costs. Overall, the operating result (earnings before interest and taxes, EBIT) increased by 12.9% to 111.7 million euros (2017: 99.0 million euros); earnings before taxes, which included a non-recurring, positive one-off effect of 4.9 million euros, rose from 99.4 million euros to 116.6 million euros. The non-recurring effect resulted from the acquisition of the remaining 51 percent of shares in the joint venture Hermle-Leibinger Systemtechnik GmbH (HLS) at the beginning of 2018, which necessitated a revaluation of the remaining shares already held by Hermle AG. Adjusted for this effect, the Group reported earnings before taxes of 111.6 million euros.

Automation and digitalization secure the future

Hermle will continue to focus on 5-axis machining centers in the future, but is also continuing its development activities in the areas of automation and digitalization. Both areas are clearly identified as growth markets; various hardware and software components have already been developed and presented. In addition, the additive manufacturing technology, the MPA process, which Hermle offers as a service, has been adapted to a new machine model. A corresponding prototype will go into operation in the second half of 2019.

In addition to its development activities, Hermle is continuously expanding its activities abroad. The company moved into a new building in Russia in 2018. In addition to supplying spare parts to the region, a demonstration center and machine overhaul capacities are to be established there. There are plans to expand service and sales in the USA in 2019. New subsidiaries are also to be established in Mexico and the Asia/Pacific region.

All of these activities are measures to prepare for a foreseeably tougher environment. For the current financial year, the company anticipates a decline in incoming orders of up to 20 percent. In view of economic uncertainties such as trade wars and Brexit, the company does not rule out a sharper decline.