Fritz Studer AG’s Thun, Switzerland headquarters was the location of its annual Movement Assembly on February 10, 2023. The theme of this yr’s occasion was “Expedition 2023.”

Fritz Studer AG, a United Grinding firm, held its annual Movement Assembly on February 10, 2023, at its Thun, Switzerland headquarters. The occasion revolved across the theme of “Expedition 2023.” This was becoming, as an expedition’s success is oftentimes decided by the staff’s preparation, and Studer’s merchandise intention to prepared producers for potential uncharted waters in 2023 and past.

The press convention included an outline of Studer’s 2022 efficiency. It was the corporate’s third-best yr for order consumption, stated CSO Sandro Bottazzo. Stability within the majority of the corporate’s finish markets (tooling, die/mould, machine manufacturing and precision engineering) offset a downturn within the automotive sector. Studer dealt with the yr’s provide chain difficulties via constructing robust partnerships with suppliers, utilizing a danger administration method by twin or multi-sourcing, and coordinating its engineering and buying departments. Its in-house vocational coaching program (trainees account for greater than 11% of the corporate’s workforce) and plans to repeatedly replace its services (spindle and shaft manufacturing are scheduled to be up to date in 2023, and warehousing and transportation shall be revamped by 2025) are serving to it cope with the continued labor scarcity, as having up to date services can entice and retain staff.

Studer’s roboLoad is a robotic automation system for its S121, S131 and S141 grinding machines. Customers can set it up with out programming data and achieve unattended machining time over prolonged breaks and evening shifts. Photograph Credit score: Fritz Studer AG

Studer’s merchandise additionally intention to assist customers put together for a variety of enterprise circumstances. The occasion positioned a specific give attention to automation methods that may assist customers implement unattended machining on its grinding machines.

The easyLoad, suitable with the S31, S33, S22, and S41 grinding machines, makes use of an adjustable conveyor to automate manufacturing of a most of fifty workpieces ranging to 300 mm with a size of 30 mm and diameter of fifty mm, giving producers a half-hour or extra of unattended manufacturing. For S22 customers who produce increased volumes of components, the corporate provides the ecoLoad, which makes use of both a carousel journal or a prisma loader with a V-gripper. For higher-volume manufacturing, the uniLoad docks to S31 and S33 machines and makes use of a prismatic conveyor and rack to supply roughly an hour of unattended manufacturing. The smartLoad, with its compact conveyor swiveling unit, provides a number of configuration choices for elevated flexibility to automate massive and small volumes of small components on the S11. Studer additionally provides a robotic automation system referred to as the roboLoad. This exterior loading system for the S121, S131 and S141 features a gripper, quick-change jaws and 6 trays for storing components. For now, the roboLoad is finest suited to unattended machining over prolonged breaks and evening shifts, however the firm expects to see an increasing number of functions for robotic automation in grinding. All of those methods are designed to be arrange rapidly, with out the necessity for programming.

The S100 is an entry-level grinding machine that’s designed to be versatile in order that customers are ready to deal with a variety of workpieces. Customers can select from a number of spindle and wheelhead choices. Photograph Credit score: Fritz Studer AG

The occasion additionally featured the brand new S100, which debuted at BI-MU 2022. It’s an entry-level machine that’s designed to be versatile in order that customers are ready to deal with a variety of workpieces. The machine will be outfitted with as much as two inside grinding spindles, or one inside and one exterior spindle. It additionally has three wheelhead choices: a set wheelhead, a guide with a 2.5-degree Hirth, or an automated wheelhead with 1 diploma Hirth. Moreover, customers can select so as to add automation with a loading interface and automated sliding door.

Studer’s SmartJet clever cooling system is alleged to cut back water consumption by as a lot as 40% and power consumption as a lot as 50%. It features a specifically designed nozzle with channels that distribute coolant evenly, an optimized line system and pump, and sensor-supported clever management software program. Photograph Credit score: Fritz Studer AG

Lastly, 2022 introduced considerations about an power disaster in Europe, and considerations about sustainability stay for some corporations. Studer’s SmartJet clever cooling system is designed to save lots of power and sources, lowering water consumption by as much as 40% and power consumption by as much as 50%. It features a specifically designed nozzle with channels that distribute coolant evenly, an optimized line system and pump, and sensor-supported clever management software program. Beforehand, when the machine was not in use, operators needed to transfer nozzles away from the grinding wheel, as a result of dripping coolant may trigger the wheel to turn into unbalanced. However this additionally implies that the operator needed to transfer the nozzle again into place earlier than beginning the machine once more, a time-consuming course of that takes time and might result in suboptimal nozzle place and/or unnecessarily excessive coolant consumption. Now, the machine can transfer the coolant nozzle away from the grinding wheel mechanically, and transfer it again into place when wanted. The software program calculates the very best exit velocity for the amount stream primarily based on the method going down (roughing, advantageous grinding or ending). The system delivers coolant exactly and repeatably, and it saves power regardless of utilizing excessive stress and excessive exit speeds to ship the coolant. All setup takes place on the machine management. SmartJet is customary on the S36, however shall be added to the S31, S33, and S41 this yr. It can be retrofitted to different fashions.