Digital engineering in the industrial metaverse

The industrial metaverse streamlines and accelerates industrial processes. By utilising digital twins and the use of artificial intelligence, automation tasks can be digitally planned, simulated and optimised prior to physical implementation. Work-holding and tool-holding specialist Schunk is therefore enhancing its portfolio with digital engineering to unlock new potential and boost customer productivity.

Virtual simulation not only accelerates the development of new products and systems but also reduces commissioning times, production interruptions and costly post-corrections. Schunk is now also utilising this technology to develop new digital components and drive progress in all areas of automation.

Schunk employs a five-stage approach in developing accurate digital twins. Each stage progressively refines components and assemblies from clamping, gripping and automation technology to mirror their physical counterparts. These digital twins encompass not only electrical properties and interfaces but also physical behaviours such as force, friction and wear.

The company has successfully digitally modelled the complete physical behaviours of several products, including new mechatronic parallel and centric grippers. A significant advancement is Schunk’s AI-supported 2D Grasping Kit, which automates repetitive sorting and handling tasks. The kit comprises a camera with lens, an industrial PC, AI software and an application-specific gripper, facilitating reliable handling of randomly arranged parts even under varying conditions.

“By simulating automation tasks, we offer customers a highly refined and productive solution, quickly optimised for their manufacturing requirements,” says Timo Gessmann, CTO of Schunk. “Thanks to AI, we can greatly simplify engineering. With digital tools and simulations, it is possible to validate all variants digitally in no time.” More information www.schunk.com

Rohm invests heavily in its future performance

Work-holding equipment specialist Röhm has invested over €800,000 in a new Index G320 turn-mill centre. The company says the investment underlines high levels of confidence in its innovation and long-term competitiveness.

The investment project was launched exactly one year ago and the machine is currently in the commissioning phase following installation. Commissioning will make the production of components for cylinders, which were previously turned and then drilled in two individual clamping operations, significantly faster and more efficient. The Index G320 replaces older machines that have reached the end of their life cycle.

The machine is characterized by its special technical features: it has two workpiece spindles, three tool carriers (two star turrets and a milling spindle) and 12 axes that work synchronously with each other. A unique feature is the ability to move the turrets out from under the chucks, creating space for the other turret.

With a weight of 21 tonnes, the machine offers space for up to 80 tools (24 on the turrets and 56 for the milling spindle). It is equipped with chucks, steady rests and Röhm’s iJaw technology. iJaw facilitates the measurement of clamping force in real time during the process to ensure maximum process reliability. Errors are detectable at an early stage, which increases productivity and sustainably improves workpiece quality.

In the coming weeks, the machine will undergo final commissioning and a final acceptance test. Once the tests are complete, operators will undergo training to ensure a smooth start to production.

With this investment, Röhm is demonstrating that innovation and safeguarding the future are top priorities, even in challenging times.

More information www.roehm.biz

The process of refurbishing Nikken rotary tables

At the heart of Nikken’s refurbishment service is a dedicated team of specialist engineers, committed to restoring the company’s rotary tables to the highest standards of quality and performance.

Leveraging Nikken’s extensive stock of over 1 million spare parts, experienced technicians perform complete mechanical rebuilds that start with a full strip-down and end with a product that closely mirrors its original condition, both in function and appearance.

Every refurbishment begins with a comprehensive functionality assessment. This initial check gives engineers a clear understanding of the table’s condition and helps guide the scope of the refurbishment process. Next, the table is completely disassembled and each component undergoes an intensive deep clean. At this stage, parts are meticulously inspected, with any that exhibit wear or damage flagged for replacement. All castings, covers and external surfaces are sent for thorough degreasing and professional powder coating to restore their finish.

As part of Nikken’s standard refurbishment protocol, the company replaces all bearings, seals, O-rings, gaskets, oil sight glasses, oils and greases. Critical components such as the worm screw, worm gear and braking elements are also replaced when necessary to ensure peak operational performance.

Once reassembled, the refurbished table undergoes a rigorous series of functionality and alignment checks using Nikken’s in-house co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM). This final stage ensures each unit meets stringent tolerances and performs as closely as possible to its original factory specifications.

To give customers peace of mind, all of Nikken’s refurbished rotary tables now come with the same 12-month standard warranty as all of its new rotary tables.

More information www.nikken-world.co.uk

New partnership set to automate fixture design

Additive manufacturing machine specialist Stratasys has signed a memorandum of understanding to partner with German-based software company Trinckle 3D. The agreement will integrate Trinkle’s Fixturemate software into Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro software package. With Stratasys and Trinckle’s software technology, users can produce a precision metrology inspection fixture that securely positions parts for accurate measurement. The 3D-printed design eliminates costly machining while maintaining tight tolerances.

This integration will complete Stratasys’ tooling workflow. It allows for simplified fixture design by non-CAD designers and broadens the range of users who can benefit: the addition of Fixturemate enables manufacturers without CAD expertise to design and configure custom 3D-printed fixtures within Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro.

“Eliminating the need for specialist CAD skills gives customers flexibility with their manufacturing workforce when it comes to the development of complex fixtures and tooling,” explains Victor Gerdes, vice president of software at Stratasys. “This new offering is targeted at delivering significant savings in time and workforce development, while allowing customers to use our solutions for both print preparation as well as critical design tasks for manufacturing.”

Using intelligent automation, Fixturemate software automates the design of custom fixtures, permitting manufacturers to create secure, precise holding solutions in minutes.

“We’re removing one of the biggest barriers in additive manufacturing: the need for specialist CAD skills and the costs associated with the manual design process,” says Florian Reichle, CEO and co-founder of Trinckle 3D. “By integrating Fixturemate with Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro, we’re making it easier than ever for manufacturers to create bespoke, production-ready fixtures that eliminate bottlenecks, accelerate workflows and maximise the value of additive manufacturing.”

More information www.stratasys.com

Hydraulic chucks win another design award

Mapal says its Uniq hydraulic chucks have secured a further design award. Following the IF Design Award 2020 and the Good Design Award 2021, the Uniq series has won the sustainability-oriented Green Design Award.

When Mapal completely revised its hydraulic chucks in 2020, the focus was on making the entire product range even more efficient and durable in daily use. The new hydraulic chucks were given a uniform appearance – the requirement being that the design should guarantee the greatest possible stability with optimum use of resources.

In collaboration with design agency Ottenwaelder and Ottenwaelder, product managers at Mapal developed a new design concept for the product family. In order to emphasise the uniqueness of the revised chucks, the naming was based on the English word ‘unique’.

The two hydraulic chuck series – Uniq Mill Chuck and Uniq DReaM Chuck – combine Mapal’s performance promise of quality and function, in particular through the interplay of geometric and functional properties. Thanks to a polishing process newly developed for the Uniq series, the high-gloss surface of the chuck is more resistant to dirt and corrosion.

Mapal also attached great importance to making the use of process reliability. Here, the blue colouring of the actuating screw provides a key contribution. Specially created signatures also contain handling instructions.

“We are proud that we have won several internationally recognised awards our Uniq,” says Tobias Bayerle. “The development of the series proves that you can not only win through practicality, but also thanks to product design and the added value it offers customers. If you can impress with performance and design, you’ve done a lot of things right.”

More information www.mapal.com