Helmut Diebold Goldring-Werkzeugfabrik from Jungingen is taking two approaches at Metav 2020 at the Düsseldorf trade fair. On the one hand, the company wants to present current innovations such as shrink-fit technology, modular holders and the Ultrajet power chuck. On the other hand, the trade fair serves the company as a forum for further development. "We are currently very active in the field of digitalization with Industry 4.0," reports authorized signatory Martina Diebold. "The first taste of this can already be seen at Metav 2020."

The demand for digital solutions has increased significantly in recent years. For example, the machining process can be better managed with transparent production, where everyone knows the location of a workpiece. "Digitalization makes tedious searching superfluous," says Diebold, citing a key advantage. "In this way, longer machine downtimes can be elegantly avoided."

Decentralized intelligence

This development goes hand in hand with decentralization, where intelligence is required directly at the machine. This means that clamping technology is also evolving into cyber-physical equipment. A process that is also being spurred on by the OPC UA standard and the universal interface Umati from the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) based on it.

The modular principle is also on the rise at the South German company: The focus is on a central basic holder that can be combined with various attachments to create individual clamping devices. The two-part structure, which ensures low vibration and thus increases the quality of the machining, is a major advantage of the system. Diebold: "Only with innovations like this will we be able to hold our own in an economic downturn."

The digital transformation is far from exhausted

The increasing digitalization of clamping fixtures is also an important topic at Hainbuch from Marbach near Ludwigsburg: this trend is currently reflected in a smart product range that extends from standardized quick-change interfaces and plug-and-play clamping force measuring devices with integrated software to intelligent clamping systems. "The fields of digital transformation are far from exhausted," says Alfred Hillinger, Head of Design, looking to the future. "It is very clear to me that Industry 4.0 will gain even more momentum." And this can also be seen in the exhibits that Hainbuch will be presenting at Metav 2020 in March.

The VDMA Precision Tools Forum will cover the full range of topics: under the moderation of Peter Tausend(WTE Präzisionswerkzeug) and Philipp Ehrhardt(Römheld), six presentations will focus on "Clamping technology - solutions for megatrends". For example, they will address the questions of whether high-quality tool clamping technology causes or influences costs(Haimer) and how zero-point clamping technology can be used in 3D printing(AMF Andreas Maier).

IFW CEO Denkena: Does the past meet the future?

The interplay between sensor technology and electronics plays a role several times this Wednesday morning - with a view to the digital transformation: for example, with the sensitive, intelligent tool holder from Schunk in Heuchelheim, with the intelligent and serialized tool systems for the networked production of tomorrow(Mapal Dr. Kress) or the improvement of product quality through sensory process control (Römheld). With these examples of metalworking and Industry 4.0 in mind, Prof. Berend Denkena, Director of the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) at Leibniz Universität Hannover and Vice President of the WGP (Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Produktionstechnik), poses the provocative question at the VDMA Clamping Technology Forum: "Metalworking meets Industry 4.0 - past meets future?"

VDMA clamping technology forum
March 11, 2020, 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Messe Düsseldorf, South Entrance, Hall 1 (1st floor, Room 15), Stockumer Kirchstraße, 40474 Düsseldorf
Registration by February 23 at www.pwz.vdma.org