Machine tool loading cooperation between Siemens and KUKA

"With this joint approach, the two companies are strengthening the fundamental idea of integrated production and can, for example, develop new markets by close inter-meshing of machine tool tasks and loading tasks," says Manfred Gundel, CEO of KUKA Roboter GmbH. Adds Dr Robert Neuhauser, CEO of Business Unit Motion Control Systems at Siemens: "The CNC control from Siemens and the robot controls from KUKA are ideal for integrating robot and CNC technology. With this cooperation, we are deepening our many years of cooperation and together advancing intelligent automation solutions as outlined by the Industrie 4.0 project [see feature here] for the benefit of both partners and to expand business." Both partners have already presented the integration of robot and Sinumerik user interface as an application for programming, teach-in, and diagnostics. The next step will now be the connection to CNC tasks. Apart from machine loading, the companies will also develop scalable, integrated solutions for machining parts with robots. In this field, in particular, new materials such as composites require innovative machining concepts that the two companies will be advancing as part of their cooperation.