"We make highly productive machines, yet only 20% of the cost of completing a job is incurred during the actual machining stage on the system itself,” says Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, CEO – machine tools at Trumpf. Using our connected products and services, customers can now boost the efficiency of the production processes that occur upstream and downstream from the machine.”
These upstream and downstream stages are where 80% of the job is processed. At Blechexpo, Trumpf will show how its factory design services can reduce the time and resources required to complete a job by up to 50%.
The solutions rely on sensors, software and services. Among the things Trumpf will demonstrate at the trade fair is how to add connected applications to existing machinery.
“In today’s world, digital solutions are a prerequisite for automating production processes,” says Prokop. “They can be used to optimise manufacturing processes, improve quality, avoid downtime, and achieve a more even distribution of work across all machines and workstations.”
At Blechexpo, Trumpf will be showcasing a fully connected system and presenting a new software solution that shows how digitalisation can make people’s working lives easier. The solution supports workers at various workstations on the shop floor, for example machine operators or assembly line workers. Depending on the task in hand, the digital assistant on the tablet provides specific information to support people’s daily tasks, ranging from advice on how to set up the machine and tips on parts picking, to details of the required tools and equipment. This functionality helps both unskilled and experienced employees to work independently and efficiently, and take the initiative where necessary. This digital solution reduces the time spent searching for tools and other items, and enhances production quality.
Trumpf will also be presenting its concept for future predictive maintenance services, based on a smart power tube. This part, which forms the heart of the laser generator in almost all CO2 laser-cutting machines, automatically reports its status to the operator. As a result, the user knows when the tube needs replacing and when the time has come to submit a repeat order, thus avoiding unplanned downtime.
