The aim of the Competence Days is clear: to demonstrate expertise. The focus is therefore on live demonstrations on all the machines on display, as well as practical technical presentations by partners Erowa, fruitcore robotics, bedra, ITS-Technologies, Hexagon and DCAM. Tutima offers a special insight: the watch manufacturer from Glashütte demonstrates the extreme precision requirements the watch industry places on manufacturing and how Sodick machines meet these demands.
Customers can bring their own manufacturing challenges to the table and work out concrete solutions together with Sodick application engineers and partners. The event’s technological focus is deliberately broad: innovative energy efficiency, experiencing iGroove live, multi-axis machining, automation, quality measurement directly at the machine, CAM programming for multi-axis machining, and the cost-effectiveness of wire electrodes. Refreshments will be provided by Italian catering and the well-known Sodick Espresso Mobile.

ALC600P – 8-axis simultaneous machining and iGroove technology

One of the machine highlights at the Competence Days is the ALC600P with ITS-X-300 axis and DCAM software, which enables 8-axis simultaneous machining. This allows highly complex geometries to be machined in a single operation – a decisive advantage as components become increasingly sophisticated. The machine achieves a positioning accuracy of 1 μm, features a temperature-controlled table, advanced temperature compensation sensors and an integrated energy-saving management system with electronically controlled pumps, which reduces consumption by 20 per cent.

The ALC-P series also features the patented iGroove technology: the EDM wire is continuously rotated during the finishing process, which significantly improves surface quality and geometric precision. At the same time, wire consumption is reduced by around 30 per cent.

ALC600G + SDG.ProOne: automated wire EDM for production

This second machine highlight demonstrates the direction in which unmanned manufacturing is heading, even in the field of EDM: The ALC600G, combined with the SDG.ProOne, a 6-axis robot – and the ITS-HV-100 axis – demonstrates automated wire EDM directly for production use. The system is space-saving, flexibly scalable and suitable for both single-part and series production.

In addition, the AL60G+ in conjunction with the EROWA ERC80 demonstrates a plug-and-play entry into automation: easy to set up, with a manageable investment, and already in successful use at numerous Sodick customers.

ITS-Technologies: A key partner for multi-axis machining

As almost all the machines on display are equipped with axis technology from ITS-Technologies in Oberndorf, this partner company plays a particularly important role. Multi-axis machining is increasingly becoming the norm in modern manufacturing, both in single-part and series production, as components become ever more complex. In a specialist presentation, ITS-Technologies will demonstrate how standard machines can be expanded to up to eight axes and what new machining possibilities this opens up.

Outlook: AMB Stuttgart and a special anniversary

The Competence Days also mark the start of a special year for Sodick: this autumn, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary – and there will be a surprise in store at the AMB in Stuttgart too. Sodick does not wish to reveal any details yet, but its presence at the trade fair in Stuttgart promises to celebrate the anniversary in style.

Source | Sodick