With a special preform technology it is now possible to manufacture complex carbon fiber preforms from woven fabric or non-crimp fabrics in a fully automated process with short cycle times of under three minutes. 

Fully Automated Preform Manufacturing for Carbon Component Production 

Automatisierungstechnik

Verbundwerkstoffe / Werkstoffverbunde

Pressen von Kunststoffen

Automated Reinforcement 

At present, two automation trends are in evidence among plastics processing companies: On the one hand, the complexity of systems is increasing, while on the other, customers are seeking flexible solutions owing to ever faster product changes, increasing version diversity and, consequently, ever smaller unit volumes per order, down to one-off parts. This means, for example, that high-volume products can be individualized as one-off parts in a flexibly automated, digitally integrated production system by combining injection molding, generative production and "Industry 4.0" technologies. 

Automated Production Makes It Possible to Increase Part Quality, Process Reliability and the Productivity and the Flexibility of the Production Processes 

Automatisierungskomponenten

Steuerungen (Hardware und Software)

Mensch-Maschine-Interface

Handling, Handhabungstechnik

Greifer

Additive Fertigung

Spritzgießen

Systemperipherie

Industrieroboter

Handhabungsroboter

Optische Mess- und Prüftechnik

Qualitätssicherung

Digital Integration – Flexibly Automated Plastics Processing 

Coperion Pelletizing Technology GmbH, Offenbach, Germany, has developed an automatic strand conveyance system (ASC) for up to 84 strands and reliably capable of a throughput of 5 tons/hour. 

Automatic Strand Conveyance System (ASC) 

Compoundieren

Granulieren

For Up to 84 Strands  

Hörl Kunststofftechnik sees its core business in the production of small and micro parts made from technical plastics for the automotive and electronics industry. In operating and expanding its fully automated injection molding production, the supplier works closely together with Arburg. The machine manufacturer supplies turnkey systems that are precisely matched to manufacturing requirements. 

Automation in Injection Molding: More Control and Flexibility in Production 

Error-Free Coupling 

At Fakuma 2015, a new member was joining the iQ family of products from Engel Austria GmbH, Schwertberg, Austria. The focus in developing iQ clamp control was on the injection molding machine's clamping unit. By continuously adapting the clamping force, the software keeps the mold breathing constant even under fluctuating process conditions. 

Software Tool for Injection Molding Machines 

Spritzgießmaschinen

iQ Clamp Control 

The vision for the smart factory is that the various components of the production cells will be permanently self-optimizing – distributed intelligence is a prominent feature of "Industry 4.0". For injection molding operations, this means that the focus is widening from just the molding machines to the entire production cell, including the automation. A new generation of linear robots is now capable of reacting to external influences in real time. 

New Software from Engel Compensates for External Influences in Injection  Molding Handling 

Steuern, Regeln

Beschleunigungssensoren

Linear Robots with Brains 

Over 6,500 visitors from 55 nations flocked to the Arburg Technology Days 2016. With approx. 50 exhibits, the Black Forest-based machine maker presented a comprehensive overview of its latest activities in injection  molding, additive manufacturing and on the topic of "Industry 4.0 in plastics processing". The highlight of the event was the world premiere of a new electric machine series. 

World Premiere of the "Golden Electric" Electric Machines Series 

Industrie 4.0

Gold Fever 

Proco Machinery Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, a manufacturer of automation systems for the blow molding industry, has launched a breakthrough collaborative robotic automation system that works interactively with co-workers, requires no special guarding, and needs minimal training for teaching new tasks. 

Robo Packer 

Verpackungsmaschinen

Collaborative Robotic Automation System 

Wittmann Group, Vienna, Austria, manufacturer of parts-removal devices for the injection molding industry, has broadened its robot range for both ends of the manufacturing spectrum, offering now W853 pro and W863 pro for large machines and he WL80 robot for smallest injection molding machines. 

Extended Robot Range 

New Robots for Large and Small Injection Molding Machines  

Yaskawa Motoman presents the new ArcWorld 2000 welding workcell, a modular solution specifically designed for robotic welding of large workpieces. This powerful, flexible, pre-engineered solution is perfect for low- to medium-volume manufacturers with a medium to high mix of parts. 

ArcWorld 2000 Welding Workcell 

Robotic Welding of Large Workpieces 

The French robot manufacturer, Sepro, sees the future of the industry in networked and flexible systems. At the K 2016 the company that has so far been successful even without any notable revenues from Asia will be presenting the largest robot in the product range to date. 

Sepro Sets New Sales Records and Gears itself for Further Growth 

Allez les Bleus 

The Internet of Things forms the basis for Industry 4.0. In the injection molding operation of the future, machines, peripheral equipment, sensors and applications will be networked with each other, communicate autonomously with one another, share data, and trigger actions in each other. The traditional models for industrial communication are not capable of mastering these new challenges. OPC UA provides a solution. The plastics industry is working to establish this flexible and secure communication architecture as the standard. 

Common Communication Model Paves the Way for Industry 4.0 

Temperiertechnik

The Smart Factory Speaks OPC UA 

Engel Austria GmbH, Schwertberg, Austria, is expanding its range of robots for K 2016: The Engel easix series will include a Scara version, while a new servo sprue picker will be added in the lower requirements range. 

Faster Pick-and-Place and Greater Dynamism 

Scara Robot and Sprue Picker Expand Automation Range 

Preventive maintenance, autonomous readjustment in ongoing processes, large-scale production in lots of just one item, human-machine collaboration – K2016 had a treasure trove of Industry 4.0 technologies in store for visitors. Injection molding machine makers and their partner companies from the fields of toolmaking, automation and sensor technology especially did not hold back on their sample applications. 

K 2016 Makes the Digitization of the Industry Tangible 

Instandhaltung

ERP-Systeme

Werkzeugwechselsysteme

Werkzeugwechselsysteme, Spritzgieß

Instandhaltungsmanagement (TPM)

A Treasure Trove of "Industry 4.0" Technologies 

Decorative films are increasingly replacing painting in order to flexibly combine a high quality surface finish of the vehicle interior with small batch sizes and low unit costs. With DecoJect, systems integrator Engel presented the next development step in collaboration with partner companies at K 2016: the combination of injection molding with in-mold graining in a highly-automated roll-to-roll process. The film solution makes it easier to harmonize the vehicle interior when using different base materials. 

DecoJect Process Combines In-Mold Graining with Injection Molding 

Spritzgießwerkzeuge

Folientechnik (IMD, IML, FIM, u.a.)

Oberflächentechnik

High Quality Interior Components at Low Unit Cost 

Beckhoff Automation is planning to move into a new central warehouse in the Aurea industrial park in Rheda-Wiedenbrück near its headquarters to expand its logistics capacity.

Beckhoff Automation is planning to move into a new central warehouse in the Aurea industrial park in Rheda-Wiedenbrück near its headquarters to expand its logistics capacity. The strong sales growth in recent years and the positive outlook for the future mean that Beckhoff needs to expand its warehouse capacity extensively and sustainably.

In addition to its construction projects near its corporate headquarters in Verl (Germany), Beckhoff is planning to build a logistics and production facility of around 70,000 square meters in neighboring Rheda-Wiedenbrück. About 25,000 square meters of the hall will be fitted with high-rack shelving.

The building is being developed by real estate investor and builder Dietz AG in coordination with Beckhoff and will be leased by Beckhoff on a long-term basis. „We are pleased to have Dietz AG, a competent partner with a great deal of experience in the field of logistics, at our side. We are currently in the joint planning phase. The building will be completed, and we will move into it by the end of 2025,“ reports Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation. The space was brokered by logistics real estate consultant Logivest.

Central Shipping from the End of 2025 in Germany

The Beckhoff central shipping department will be relocated to the new property. This department will be supplied with finished products from all Beckhoff production areas. „All European customers receive their ordered products directly from the central warehouse. Outside Europe, our branches and distributors are supplied from the central warehouse,“ explains Johannes Beckhoff.

Frederike Beckhoff adds: „We usually offer our customers fast delivery of products directly from the warehouse, with the shortest delivery times. This requires storage capacity, which we are providing with the new central warehouse which allows for potential growth over the coming years.“

In parallel, Beckhoff continues to plan the expansion and new construction of its production facilities in the emerging Varensell intermunicipal industrial park, which will be directly adjacent to the company‘s current headquarters in Verl-West. The planned administrative campus is also set to be built on Gütersloher Strasse.

„With the new property in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, we are now gaining considerable additional space to complement our production as well as administration campuses in Rietberg and Verl. This will also help us to further develop our company at the East Westphalia-Lippe site in the future. We will only be able to meet the ever-increasing demand for automation if we have the space we need to do so,“ Johannes Beckhoff continues.

Beckhoff was founded in 1980 and has grown continuously ever since. Since 2000, the company has increased sales by an average of 15 percent every year. In 2022, Beckhoff generated sales of 1.515 billion euros with its workforce, which now numbers around 6,000 worldwide.

Beckhoff intends to continue on this growth trajectory in the future. The chances for this are good, because high-tech automation concepts are needed in order to meet the needs of the growing world population in a resource-saving and sustainable way. State-of-the-art automation technology is used in almost all industries: classical mechanical engineering, wind turbines and battery cell production, the process and entertainment industry, and intelligent building automation are just a few examples.

Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG  

https://www.beckhoff.com

Family company: together, Hans Beckhoff (r.) and his children Frederike (m.) and Johannes (l.) take care of the expansion of the company.

16:9

2023-08-15 - Beckhhoff

Beckhoff Automation Expands in Germany

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