At the GROB Technology Days, themed ‘Digitalisation in Production’, participants gained practical insights into the latest approaches and solutions for the digital transformation of manufacturing. The event was organised by GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG. COSCOM contributed to the event as a process partner. There were two events last month: on 11 June in Mindelheim at GROB’s headquarters, and on 30 June in Kiel at the Institute for Production Engineering and CIM Technology Transfer at Kiel University of Applied Sciences. Technical presentations, live demonstrations, factory tours and panel discussions facilitated a direct, in-depth exchange between users and technology providers. Using the new COSERA MES/MOM system, GROB demonstrated how production orders, inspection plans and order confirmations can be centrally managed. It also showed how existing systems – including ERP, tool management, logistics, planning systems, and CAD/CAM and PLM solutions – can be seamlessly integrated. In addition, the organisers presented digital work planning processes and resource planning for flexible shift models. This gave participants a comprehensive overview of specific opportunities for optimisation within their production processes.

COSCOM’s digital tool cycle

A key item on the agenda was COSCOM’s presentation on the digital tool cycle. Process Consultant Henning Felber emphasised: “The manufacturing industry is facing far-reaching changes. Increasing product variety, shorter lead times and growing cost pressures call for a new approach to production processes. COSCOM’s digital tool cycle is the answer to these challenges.”

Digital tool provision links tool management, presetting, storage and procurement within a single integrated process. This ensures transparency at all times regarding availability, reservations and stock on hand. This increases planning reliability, reduces search times and enables significant cost savings, for example by identifying unused tools.

The basis for this is the COSCOM ECO-System with the ToolDIRECTOR VM module. CAD/CAM systems, presetting devices, storage systems and CNC machines can be integrated via integration modules. Interfaces to the GROB web app and the COSERA system can also be implemented.

During the event in Kiel, the practical integration of the COSCOM ECO-System in a real production environment was demonstrated. The Institute for Production Engineering and CIM Technology Transfer is one of the users of this solution.

Positive feedback from organisers and participants

Benedikt Gundling, Product Manager for Digital Products at GROB, expressed his great satisfaction: “This is the first time we’ve held the Digitalisation Technology Day in this format. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to welcome so many different companies.”

Christian Erlinger, Managing Director of COSCOM, also emphasised the importance of the format: “It’s very encouraging that so many visitors have responded to the call to discuss this topic together, with a view to establishing automation in manufacturing companies.”

The participants confirmed the event’s high practical value. Michael Groß, Head of the SAP Group at BORBET GmbH, explained: “The main reason I’m here is because GROB has developed a new MES system. I’m very hopeful that GROB’s system will fully and comprehensively meet all the requirements we have within our company.”

Lukas Kamp, Production Team Leader at Dr. Hahn GmbH & Co. KG, added: “I’m here today because the topic of digitalisation is very interesting for our company. We’re still very much in the early stages in some areas, trying to digitalise tool management and establish a new DNC system.”

Conclusion

The GROB Technology Days have impressively demonstrated how end-to-end digital process chains can be implemented. Participants were able to take away concrete approaches and solutions to reduce costs, speed up processes and future-proof their manufacturing operations.