01.2023
The UNITED GRINDING Group's
customer magazine

INTERVIEW
How are we increasing the resilience of the supply chain?
INDEPTH
Technology for battery production in electromobility
INTERNATIONAL Japanese customers have high demands for quality and service

JOINT
RESEARCH
Visiting the STUDER TechCenter:
From the right Thomas Engelfried,Frank Fiebelkorn and Christian Josi.
Applications developed here
can have multiplier effects forthe entire industry

Investments in research and development
benefit customers, but they ultimately also benefit
the entire industry. The future of grinding isbeing developed by
ITED G I DI G Groupteams in cooperation with universities andresearch institutions, among others208

IN THIS EDITION OF MOTION,
YOU WILL FIND:

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NEWS
News from the UNITED GRINDING GroupINNOVATIONIn research and development, the UNITED GRINDING
Group relies on internal exchange and partnerships withresearch institutions
INDEPTH
Technologies for battery production and a report on
Europe’s largest giga-factory in Sweden

1 8 INSIDE
20

26
29

36
39

Employees from the research and development
departments ensure progress

40

INTERVIEW
oronavirus and the conflict in kraine: ow can we
make supply chains more resilient EO Stephan ell
speaks with renowned experts

43

A DAY WITH …
… Joseph Szenay, who is passionate about helping
customers at UNITED GRINDING North America
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY
Medical drills with WALTER, the PLANOMAT XT Essentialfrom B O M
G, ST DE with a more powerfulspindle for the S36, a new vertical axis for the S151, andan innovative -ray measuring head for the S – and thefirst .O. .E. machines impress the customers
INTERNATIONAL
Japan has a particularly demanding clientele for grinding
machines and machine tools
UPDATE: DIGITAL SOLUTIONSWhat are the new developments
IDEAS
Why digital technologies are leading to a new kind of
globalization in which regions are important
INTOUCH
The “Motion” calendar: Important shows and events

IMPRINTPUBLISHER nited Grinding Group Management AG, Wankdorfallee , 3Bern, Switzerland RESPONSIBLE Michèle Fahrni PUBLICATIONMANAGER Raphaëlle Bonny CHIEF EDITOR Michael opp (responsible for the purposes of press law) ART DIRECTION Tobias Zabell
ACCOUNT MANAGER Jutta Groen IMAGE EDITOR Thomas Balke PROJECT MANAGEMENT / HEAD OF TEXT Markus uth AUTHORS Michael opp,
Markus uth, Ira Schroers, Max Thinius LAYOUT Claudia Knye PRODUCTION Wym Korff PUBLISHER AND ADDRESS OF EDITORIAL OFFICE
A ES EITE
E AG Gmb , arvestehuder Weg ,amburg, Germany READER SERVICE wym.korff.extern jalag.de
MANAGEMENT Thomas Ganske, Sebastian Ganske, Susan Molzow, Arne Bergmann, Peter ensmann LITHO INSERT Creative Production
Gmbo. G, amburg PRINTING Walstead rak w, Poland
All trademarks marked with2

Motion 01.2023

are registered as a basic trademark at least in Switzerland or in Germany and are therefore entitled to carry the trademark.

athaniel Smith

6

A LOOK INSIDE…
Silicon, one of the most important raw materials forcomputer chip production

26

atalie Bothur ( ),4

WELCOMECEO Stephan Nell on the right approach to research anddevelopment as a condition for continuous innovation

over: Thomas unz; photos: Thomas unz,

2

WELCOME“INNOVATIONMUST NEVER BE AN
END IN ITSELF”

DEAR READERS,
Our “Motion” magazine is a showcase of the innovations in the tooland grinding machine sector that come from the UNITED GRINDING
Group. In this issue, we provide insight into our activities aimed atconstantly developing and implementing new ideas.
Research and development must come together on the rightplatforms. Cooperation with universities is just as important as
well-established internal teams. The “Motion” report on page 8
focuses on the “Technology & Applications” team, a group of
employees from all companies of the UNITED GRINDING Group
from the areas of research, development, testing, and technology.
The photos were taken at a meeting of the team in the TechCenterat STUDER in Thun, Switzerland. Similar facilities are located in othercompanies in the Group and show the importance we attach to innovation and how closely development aligns with the requirements
and needs of our customers.
“The development of new machines and processes is extremely important for the success of our customers and thus also
for our own success,” said our colleague Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of
Research and Technology at STUDER, in the “Motion” report. What
we learn about digitalization also applies to innovations: Both mustnever be an end in themselves but must follow clearly defined goals
and needs.
Of course, the aim is also to use overarching research anddevelopment to generate useful insights for the entire industry andthus contribute to its further development. The innovations createdin this way ultimately help to find better solutions for the users andin the end, make our customers even more successful. This is what
we want to be measured by.

Stephan Nell,
CEO, UNITED GRINDING Group

Stephan Nell
CEO, UNITED GRINDING Group

Motion 01.2023

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Photo: Shutterstock / Enguerrand Cales

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

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Motion 01.2023

A LOOK INSIDEMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

THE WORLD OF SILICON
Wafers are the basis for electronic circuits andcomputer chips: roughly one-millimeter-thindisks made of semiconductor material. Due totheir optimal properties, they are usually madefrom the metalloid silicon that can be seen
here. The name comes from Latin and means“pebble”. It is the second most common
element on Earth after oxygen. The industry
grows high-purity silicon crystals in reactors
and initially produces ingots from them. These
metallic, shiny cylinders are then cut into slices
with high-precision diamond saws. For highwafer quality, the ingots must be precisely
ground with the correct crystal orientation.
STUDER has equipped the S41 external cylindrical grinding machine with a built-in X-ray
measuring head for precisely this purpose,
thereby supporting UNITED GRINDING
Group customers in an environment of
increasing wafer demand.

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5

UNITED GRINDING GROUPNEWSCANADA

GIL BEUTLER
WINS BRONZE ATWORLDSKILLSPOLYMECHANIC GIL BEUTLER, TRAINED AT STUDER, took third place in theWorldSkills vocational world championships. The competition in the
category of Industrial Mechanics took place in October 2022 in Brampton,
Canada. “By winning the bronze medal, I was able to successfullycomplete a long training period, which is a very successful conclusion forme and everyone else who was part of this success,” says the 20-year-old.
He had already won the gold medal at SwissSkills in 2020, and one year
later he won silver at EuroSkills. Beutler would now like to begin a workstudy program parallel to continuing his career at STUDER.

SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, CZECH REPUBLICINVESTMENT IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
THE UNITED GRINDING GROUP is making more investments
in clean energy supply for its own operations. By 2024,
four photovoltaic systems will be commissioned at the
Fehraltorf (MÄGERLE), Hamburg (BLOHM JUNG), andT bingen and u im (WA TE ) sites. “On the one hand, wewant to use sustainable energy without carbon emissions
and, on the other hand, we want to become more independent from external sources,” explains Erich Schmid. It is a
substantial investment and, in the long term, photovoltaic
systems should be installed wherever the prerequisites arefavorable – for example, large roof areas.

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Motion 01.2023

ITALY

WALTER EWAG ITALIAIS MOVINGWALTER EWAG ITALIA will open the doors to its new
facility this summer. The new location is in
Vertemate con Minoprio in Como Province in
Lombardy, just a few kilometers from the previous
headquarters in Bregnano. As a result of the move,the area has more than doubled from the previous
240 square meters to 820 square meters. Part of
the new two-story building is a spacious demo
center (120 square meters) for the presentationand demonstration of machines in a representative
setting. Gaining more area was the main reason forthe move, as the previous location was no longer
sufficient due to the growing business activity in
Italy. A team of twelve is responsible for sales,
technical support, customer care, andadministration at WALTER EWAG Italia.

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

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SWITZERLAND

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE MEETING
MORE THAN 300 SALES PARTNERS and sales employees from 35 countries traveledto Thun in February for STUDER’s annual international representative meeting.
According to the motto “Expedition 2023”, this time we embarked on a symbolic
research journey. Participants learned more about new products and successstories in internal and external cylindrical grinding in order to provide even betteradvice and support to customers in their home countries. During workshops and a
joint trip to the mountains, participants from Europe, America, and Asia found an
opportunity to exchange knowledge. The STUDER annual press conference wasalso held on the occasion of the representative meeting. More than 60 internationalpress representatives accepted the invitation.

SWITZERLAND

Photos: Shutterstock / Enguerrand Cales, David Schweizer

2023 FRITZ STUDER AWARD
ANNOUNCED

The “Fritz Studer
Award” encourages
innovative ideas andnew technologies formechanical engineering

FOR THE SIXTH TIME STUDER is awarding the “Fritz
Studer Award”. Students from Europe’s technologicalinstitutes and universities of applied sciences canapply with projects that are relevant to mechanicalengineering – for example, for innovative machine
concepts, alternative materials, or solutions for grinding
processes. The work of individuals or teams should
demonstrate implementable approaches and innovations that drive the machine tool industry forward. The
prize is awarded every three years and is endowed with
10,000 Swiss francs. The closing date for applications is
September 30, 2023, the award ceremony will bepresented in February 2024.

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UNITED GRINDING GROUPINNOVATION

When it comes to research and development, the UNITED GRINDING Group relies onregular exchanges with employees and external research institutions
TEXT: Markus Huth

PHOTOS: Thomas Kunz

THIS IS WHERE THE SPARKS
ARE FLYING!

The STUDER TechCenter in Thunoiese tire oor fi eithm hi es roomss stems for thee e o me t
testi of i o ti erots
ri i te h o o ies

8Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

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STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTEREWAG

IRPD

Thomas Engelfriedheads the “Experimental
and System Testing”
department at WALTERHE WAS SOMEWHERE ON THE BALTIC SEA WHEN
Thomas Engelfried looked at the radar display on the bridge of his sailboat and wondered: why wouldn’t this also be good formachine tools? “Radar waves can penetrate
through liquids, whether rain clouds or coolant. This must make it possible to precisely
measure the grinding wheel in the micron
range, even during machining,” he explains.
Until now, only tactile measurement has
been used during processing breaks, whichleads to significantly higher non-productive
times. And because Engelfried manages the“Experimental and System Testing” department at WALTER, he immediately wrote
an initial concept for technical implementation and discussed the project with hiscolleagues from the UNITED GRINDING
Group – in fact, at exactly the same type of
meeting taking place today at STUDER in
Thun, Switzerland.
The Technology & Applications team isa group of employees from all companies of
the UNITED GRINDING Group from the“THE BEST IDEAS ARE SPARKED
DURING THE BREAKS.”
Thomas Engelfried

areas of research, development, testing, andtechnology. Its purpose is to bundle joint expertise for the benefit of the customer. The
meetings take place twice a year alternately at various UNITED GRINDING locations,and today 19 experts have traveled to
STUDER in Thun to exchange informationon the latest technologies and projects.
“The development of new technologies
and processes is extremely important for our
success and that of our customers,” says
Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of Research and Technology at STUDER. He initiated and moderated these meetings. He is currently leading
his colleagues Engelfried and Christian Josi,
Head of Digital Engineering at UNITEDG I DI G, through the in-house Tech enter– an entire floor full of machines and systems
for testing and developing innovative products and grinding applications.

THANKS TO C.O.R.E., MACHINES ALSOWORK AS A TEAM

The WireDress® dressing process fromSTUDER is also an innovation developed in
the TechCenter

The three stop by a machine with a C.O.R.E.
panel; the large touch display is reminiscentof a futuristic smartphone –ITEDGRINDING’s new cross-brand hardware
and software architecture is installed on an
increasing number of machines. “With its

intuitive operation, smart networking, process visualization, and digital assistancesystems, C.O.R.E. is revolutionizing the way
grinding machines are handled,” Josi explains. Creating this technology was also
only possible through the exchange of expertise and ideas (“Motion” reported in detail in issues 1/2021 and 1/2022).
Josi leads the team responsible for theumati (Universal Machine Technology Interface) communication protocol, an initiativeof the German Machine Tool Builder’s
Association (VDW). This allows C.O.R.E. toeven communicate with machines fromother manufacturing companies. “Imagine
what would happen if people just did theirjob without sharing information and learningfrom each other. No team can function sustainably under those conditions! It has to be
the same with machines,” he explains. It istherefore important in cases like this that, inspite of competition, manufacturing companies take an active part in developing, standardizing, and standards in order to advancethe industry as a whole. “For us, the focus
is always on the customer – because wewant to make them even more successful
and offer them sustainable solutions andfuture-proof investments,” explains Josi.
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9

UNITED GRINDING GROUPINNOVATION

However, the creative and professional exchange is not just important within the corporate group. Thanks to its close links to industry associations, educational institutions,and research institutes, UNITED GRINDING
is always close to the latest developments
and innovations. For example, Engelfried’s
idea for the radar sensor led to a research
project he led with the Technical University of Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer
Institute for Applied Solid State Physics via
a tender from the VDW. “After two and ahalf years, the radar sensor’s functionality
has now been proven for this specific application,” he says.

COOPERATION SERVES CUSTOMERS
Fiebelkorn, who is chairman of the “Grinding
Technology Working Group” at the VDW,
also emphasizes that the cooperation between industry and research institutions ul-

timately directly benefits customers. “This is
the only reason we are able to repeatedly set
standards in technology, quality, and precision throughout the industry.” For example,
the STUDER WireDress® dressing process
for metal-bonded CBN and diamond grinding wheels, is particularly suitable for use ine-mobility. This process is so good that it is
now also adopted by others in the industry.
But thanks to its in-house development, theUNITED GRINDING Group has a head start,
and the latest generation is already here. In
addition, a joint project is currently underway
between STUDER and the Laboratory for
Machine Tools and Production Engineering(WZL) of RWTH Aachen University for thedevelopment of a new assistance systemthat can provide operators with realistic forecasts of the process and component quality
thanks to state-of-the-art sensor technology.
The X-ray measuring head on the S41 for“THANKS TO UMATI AND C.O.R.E.,
GRINDING MACHINES AND MACHINETOOLS CAN ALSO WORK AS A TEAM.”
Christian Josi

Christian Josi, FrankFiebelkorn andThomas Engelfried(from the right)
discuss innovativetechnologies during atour of the STUDER
TechCenter

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Machines with C.O.R.E. have astate-of-the-art touch display andcommunicate with third-party
systems thanks to umati

correct alignment of silicon crystals for wafer manufacturing in chip production is also
the result of developments in cooperation
partnerships. “In this way, STUDER makes
an important contribution to the productionof computer chips, because our cylindrical
grinding machine can correctly align siliconor silicon carbide blanks for further processing based on their internal crystal structure
thanks to its X-ray sensor,” says Fiebelkorn.

MÄGERLE

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JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

WE RESEARCH TOGETHERWZL / RWTH AACHENINSPIRE AG / ETH ZURICH

For decades, the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production
Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University has enjoyed an excellent
reputation in the field of production technology all over the world. ed
by four Chairs, six research areas are devoted to both basic researchand practical projects in cooperation with industry. There has been along-standing trust-based cooperation with the
ITED G I DI GGroup. Both B O M
G and ST DE are members of the“Grinding Technology Working Group” and, with W , are researching,for example, the next generation of digital assistance systems thatcan significantly improve process management and forecasting basedon sensor data. There is also close cooperation with M GE E, andWA TE EWAG participates in joint research projects in the “ToolTechnology Working Group” in the areas of cooling lubricant andmachine diagnostics.

Inspire AG is a center of excellence in production technology and astrategic partner of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETurich. As a publicly funded research institution, it conducts projects
together with Swiss machine manufacturers, manufacturing companies, and other research institutions that bridge the gap between basic
university research and industrial development. In addition to various
products from the
ITED G I DI G Group, which are the resultof joint projects with inspire AG, I PD, a leading provider in the fieldof industrial additive manufacturing today, was born out of the collaboration. Furthermore, there is a long-standing partnership for thedevelopment of machine beds made of mineral cast Granitan , which
ensures exceptionally high stability and precision in grinding machines.

THE VDW

IWT / UNIVERSITY OF BREMENOne of the most important regulatory bodies for research projects in
the German machine tool industry with production-related hairs at
German universities is the German Machine Tool Builder s Association( DW) with the affiliated DW esearch Institute. Both are based inFrankfurt am Main, Germany. For more than 3 years, the DW has
been committed to ensuring that the German industry is among theinternational technology leaders. Employees of the
ITED G I DI GGroup also participate in the various DW working groups, propose
research projects, participate in the awarding of contracts to theinstitutes, and support the project progress. In addition, theITEDG I DI G Group has a seat on the DW Board of Directors.

For more thanyears, the eibniz Institute for Materials-oriented
Technologies (IWT) has been synonymous with research into newmaterials, processes, and optimized components. It is independent,
but cooperates closely with the niversity of Bremen and is locatedon its campus. There are regular collaborative research projects with
the
ITED G I DI G Group that make grinding processes safer andmore efficient, as well as investigate the potential of additive manufacturing. A currently planned project with B O M
G addresses adigital assistance system that can automatically warn the operator of
grinding burn.

Images: W, Aytac Pekdemir, DW, IWT

The best technologies are created by bundling ideas and competences. The
ITED G I DI G Group istherefore collaborating with a large number of renowned research institutions – here are some European examples

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UNITED GRINDING GROUPINNOVATION

Arne Hoffmann is
Head of “Project
Planning andTechnology” at
BLOHM JUNG andgives a presentation
via live video
streaming“SPECIFIC USES CANTRIGGER DEVELOPMENTS FOR
THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY.”
Arne Hoffmann

LASER CONTOUR CHECK WAS CREATEDIN A TEAM
This cooperation philosophy has also led to
WALTER’s innovative measuring method,which sets new standards throughout theindustry: Laser Contour Check. This is asmart laser system directly integrated into
the tool grinding and eroding machine forhighly accurate, non-contact measurementof contours on cylindrical cutting tools. Previous comparable systems only worked selectively and were not able to scan the entire contour of a cutting edge. The WALTER
technology with the more exact blue laser
light is precise and, due to its wavelength,
significantly less sensitive to coolant residues on the tool surface. Engelfried explains that the entire measured tool contour
can be automatically corrected in the process, and he attaches particular importanceto one aspect: “This kind of highly innovative development is not possible whenworking alone.” Often, it is only at a meeting like the one today that it is decided forwhich company of the UNITED GRINDING
Group a new technology is ideally suited.
Laser Contour Check, for example, initiallybegan at STUDER, was further developedat WALTER, and is now in use in its machines. “By the way, the best ideas are often sparked in break-time conversations
during meetings like the one today,” laughs
Thomas Engelfried.

A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN BASICRESEARCH AND APPLICATION
The three colleagues are now finishing their
tour of the TechCenter and returning to thelarge conference room. They are now looking forward to the presentation by theirFrank Fiebelkorn,
Head of “Research
and Technology” at
STUDER, is particularly committed toprofessional andcreative exchangewith regard to innovative technologies“THE COOPERATION BETWEEN INDUSTRY
AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONSDIRECTLY BENEFITS CUSTOMERS.”Frank Fiebelkorn

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colleague Arne Hoffmann, who heads the“Project Engineering and Technology” department at BLOHM JUNG. His picture appears large on the wall as he participates via
live video stream. Among other things,
Hoffmann talks about the balancing act between basic research and application development, which is often required in his dayto-day work to build tailored systems forcustomers. Together with the Leibniz Institutefor Materials-oriented Technologies (IWT) at
the University of Bremen, BLOHM JUNG isMÄGERLE

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Christian Josi (left)talks to Thomas
Engelfried about what
valuable information
this transmitter could
provide to further
optimize processes

currently planning a project with an algorithm
that can predict grinding burn based on sensor data already available in the machine. Another project with the Laboratory for Machine
Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of
RWTH Aachen University intends to use sensors to predict the correct dressing momentfor grinding wheels. “In the best case scenario, there is a multiplier effect, in which a
specific development can subsequently
bring the industry forward as a whole,” explains offmann. Particularly in the field ofelectromobility and the streamlining of supply chains, he sees great opportunities for
manufacturers of grinding and machine tools
due to the new requirements.

“AT UNITED GRINDING,
THE DECISION ABOUT WHICHTECHNOLOGY BEST SUITS WHICHCOMPANY IS DECIDED JOINTLY.”
Thomas Engelfried

BREWING NEW IDEAS
After Hoffmann’s presentation, everyone
talks informally again during a break, exchanges ideas, and small groups form on
different facets of the topic. In the end,
Frank Fiebelkorn says goodbye to all participants and wishes them a safe trip home totheir companies. Now many new ideas are
brewing for future cutting-edge and enhanced GRINDING technologies, which
will benefit all customers of the
ITED
GRINDING Group.

Arne Hoffmannspeaks withPeter Frahm about
the current status of
new machines inthe showroom /TechCenter

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UNITED GRINDING GROUPINDEPTHBETTERBATTERIESFOR THE
CLIMATE
Batteries for electric vehicles are the key technology for climate-friendly mobility.
Northvolt, with the largest battery factory in Europe, specializes in thesustainable production of these batteries. The UNITED GRINDING Group is
supporting the company in Sweden with technology

Images: Northvolt

TEXT: Markus Huth

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Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

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JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

The „Northvolt Ett Gigafabrik“ in Skellefteå, Sweden, produces sustainable batteries
for electromobility. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to rival Asia and the USA.
The global competition for batteries for electric vehicles has not yet been decided

ON AN ICY WINTER DAY two large trucks trundle
along the snow-covered streets of Skellefteå
in northern Sweden. Just a few hundred kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, there is
only a few hours of sun a day and the long
winter nights are sometimes illuminated by
the glow of the Northern Lights. The trucks
have come from the south, from the headquarters of BLOHM JUNG in the Hanseatic
City of Hamburg, Germany. And they havea precious cargo on board. The two modern
grinding machines, each weighing over seven tons, are equipped with the latest technology from UNITED GRINDING, including
C.O.R.E., the revolutionary hardware andsoftware architecture.
They have been configured and customized especially for the customer here in
Skellefteå. Northvolt is one of the leading

companies in the production of environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries for electricvehicles. The special thing about Northvolt
batteries is that not only can they store clean
energy, but their method of production is
also particularly eco-friendly. Northvolt’s goal
is to manufacture batteries with a carbon
footprint that is 80 percent lower than thatof batteries produced using fossil energy.

EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCESTHANKS TO RECYCLING
This can only succeed because the electricity
for production comes from renewable sources and important raw materials are also recovered by recycling used batteries. The aimof Northvolt’s Revolt campaign is to recoverat least half of its raw materials through recycling by 2030. To this end, they opened the

On a cold winter day, two trucks from Hamburg
bring BLOHM JUNG‘s machines to Skellefteå.
They will support Northvolt in the production ofenvironmentally friendly batteries

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UNITED GRINDING GROUPINDEPTHThe „Northvolt Ett. Gigafabrik“ in Skellefteå,Sweden, was recently still a construction
site and is now one of the most modern
factories of its kind in the world. The machinesfrom BLOHM JUNG are now also carryingout their important work here for sustainable
battery production

largest electric car battery recycling plant inEurope in May 2022 working in collaboration
with the energy company Hydro. The plant
is located in Fredrikstad, Norway. Major car
manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, BMW
and Volvo, are already working with them.
And BLOHM JUNG is now also making
a major contribution to Northvolt’s production of sustainable and environmentallyfriendly batteries. The two machines willcomplete the state-of-the-art machine hallat the Skellefteå „Northvolt Ett Gigafactory“,
which was still a construction site arounda year ago. The Swedes approached theHamburg-based company with a particularly demanding assignment in 2021. BLOHM
JUNG immediately started work on developing the custom machines.
The high quality of UNITED GRINDING’ssystems, regular communication and excellent technical services all guarantee highcustomer satisfaction in Skellefteå. And as
Northvolt is currently expanding its production capacity considerably, there are alreadytalks about ordering additional machines –and soon more trucks could be on their way
from Hamburg.

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BLOHM JUNG MAKESAN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONAT NORTHVOLT FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF
SUSTAINABLE BATTERIESMÄGERLE

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Philippe Walter,
Sales Director China
at STUDER“WE HAVE THE RIGHT MACHINES”
Manufacturing batteries for electromobility requires state-of-the-art and precise technologies. Because the UNITED GRINDING
Group invested in this area at an earl stage, it now provides its customers with significant competitive advantages

Mr. Walter, at STUDER, you are responsible for sales in China,
a leading country in the production of lithium-ion batteries. Why
are machine tools important for this?
The market is not only extremely dynamic and highly competitivein China. Many companies now want to enter the market. However, this is not very easy because manufacturing batteries is complex and requires technologies and processes that have not beenaround for a very long time. It is now worthwhile that we invested
in development in this area at an early stage because the rightmachine tools can bring decisive competitive advantages here.

Images: Northvolt (2), David Schweizer

What role do grinding machines play in battery manufacture?
Grinding machines are an important element of the overall
concept. To put it simply, customers need our machines in orderto manufacture and maintain the tools for battery manufacture.
This is why we are currently experiencing increased demand for
different systems.
Can ou give specific e amples
The S131 Radius CNC universal internal cylindrical grinding
machine from STUDER is important for grinding the diameters
and radii of drawing dies for the production of battery housingsfor cylindrical batteries, for example. Cylindrical batteries arecommon among other geometric shapes and are typically
produced in the size with a diameter of 46 millimeters (1.8")
and a height of 80 millimeters (3.15").

Another example is sheet metal work in general for batteries,
which must be much more precise than in other industrial sectors.
The cutting and punching tools require special guide elements,
which are not cylindrical as is common but have multi-surface
bodies with several edges. These can be produced particularly
efficiently and easily, for example with our S3 and S universal
cylindrical grinding machines. They use our high-speed machining
control software for high-precision and productive form grinding.
Are there any other aspects related to batteries in whichmachine tools play an important role?
Batteries are not the only energy source used to drive electricvehicles. Fuel cells with built-in compressors for gaseous media
are also used. These special high-speed compressors have tobe very powerful on the one hand, and space is limited on theother hand. These turbines are therefore made of particularly hard
special material such as ceramic, which conventional grinding
machines can only process inefficiently and with a lot of rejects.
Our machine-integrated WireDress® electro-erosive dressing
process, on the other hand, enables precise dressing, even for
hard, metal-bonded grinding wheels. This gives our customers agreat advantage here.

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UNITED GRINDING GROUPINSIDEWE CARE
Innovative technologies and machines tailored to individual requirements are among the
UNITED GRINDING Group’s trademarks. This is made possible by competent and motivatedemployees – we would like to introduce four of them“THE IN-HOUSE LABORATORYIS IMPORTANT”
STEFAN FRUTIGER
POSITION: Development Engineer at ST DE ,Thun, Switzerland
CONTACT: Stefan.Frutiger studer.com“PEOPLE CREATE INNOVATION”
WOLFGANG NUBER
POSITION: Technology Division Manager at WA TE ,T bingen, Germany
CONTACT: Wolfgang. uber walter-machines.de“IN ORDER TO MEET the ever-increasing requirements of our customers for accuracy and automation, we are continuously researching,developing, and evaluating new technological approaches,” says
Wolfgang uber, who heads the Technology Division at WA TE .
is tasks include the coordination of over
employees at thesites in T bingen, Germany, and u im, zech epublic, the maintenance of the product roadmap, budgeting, and patent-related
processes. e is currently working on numerous new development projects. “It is very important to me that constructive ideas
inspire and foster my team s existing excellent competencies sothat they can be put to use. This is the only way we can achieve
optimal solutions with the required quality and within a realistic
cost framework,” says the trained mechanical engineer, who has
been working at the company since. uber believes thatcompetent and motivated employees are of equal importance as
the technology in the machines when it comes to smart, innovative
solutions. “It s great if we can work together to improve every day
and thus ensure customer satisfaction.”

18

Motion 01.2023“EACH NEW MACHINE contains different sensors, actuators, and devices for various purposes,” says Stefan Frutiger, describing oneof the challenges of his work. Among other things, he uses EM
measurements to ensure that these various parts do not influenceeach other and affect the optimal operation of a system. “We do
this during development and can thus ensure good efficiency andreliability for our customers at an early stage.” The qualified electrical engineer specializes in Industrial Automation and ontrol andhas been with the company for
years. It is particularly important
to Frutiger that nothing is installed that has not previously beentested in the in-house laboratory. He and his team thus achieve
high EM quality without delaying the development timeframe
for new machines. “The interplay of different technologies andthe analysis of their durability are very exciting and varied,” says
Frutiger, adding “My working day is always different – from standardized measurements to testing new sensors and solving daily
problems, I get to do everything.”MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD“CUSTOMERS BENEFIT FROMBETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY”
KAI HÖLKPOSITION: Research Engineer at BLOHM JUNG,
Hamburg, Germany
CONTACT: Kai.Hoelk@blohmjung.com“EACH MACHINE IS CUSTOMIZED”

KAI HÖLK’S MAIN TASKS INCLUDE DEVELOPING NEW MACHINES and prototypes as well as carrying out tests. The research engineer has beenworking at BLOHM JUNG since 2005 and is currently working on
optimizing the energy efficiency of current and new models. “Mostof our machines consist of a wide range of options and special
customized solutions so that the consumption of compressed air or
coolant pumps must be measured individually almost everywhere,”he says. But the work is worthwhile because, in the end, customers
benefit from reduced energy consumption and production costs.
“For example, we have been able to reduce the compressed air
consumption of PLANOMAT-XT machines by more than 20 percent
by optimizing the purge air supply to protect the bearings on table
dressing devices,” he mentions. This significantly reduces costs, ascompressed air is one of the more expensive energy expenditures.
Hölk told us that he particularly enjoys the variety in his work. He
is also pleased that the results of this work will benefit the entire
Group thanks to the internal exchange of information.

FABIENNE SCHLÄPPIPOSITION: Mechanical Engineering Project Manager atMÄGERLE, Fehraltorf, Switzerland
CONTACT: Fabienne.Schlaeppi@maegerle.com“WE GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, and I create new designs for things that do not yet exist,” says Fabienne Schläppi,describing one of her tasks as Project Manager for Technology
and Mechanics at MÄGERLE. These can be a few assemblies oran entire machine. Our customers’ requirements and wishes arealways the primary focus. “During the design phase, I clarify thetechnical feasibility with suppliers and obtain quotes,” says
Schläppi, who has been with the company for around seven years.
The qualified mechanical engineer works closely with otherdepartments such as purchasing and sales, material planning, orassembly. Schläppi is currently working on several customer projects, including an MFP with a particularly high spindle speed of
12,000 instead of the standard 5,000 rotations per minute. In addition, as the Training Officer, she is responsible for the technicalsupervision and training of young designers. “I like the fact that I
can pass on my knowledge, but conversely, I also learn a lot fromthe trainees,” she explains.

Motion 01.2023

19

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

20

Motion 01.2023

INTERVIEWMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD“HOW DO WE
MAKE THE
SUPPLY CHAIN
MORE
RESILIENT?”
With the coronavirus
pandemic and the Ukraine
crisis, the resilience of
supply chains has become akey competitive factor. Has
supply chain management
become supply chain risk
management?
CEO Stephan Nell discusses
the factors that can increase
the supply chain’s resilience
with Sebastian Fabel fromthyssenkrupp andMichael Henke from the
Fraunhofer Institute forMaterial Flow and Logistics
TEXT: Michael Hopp
PHOTOGRAPHY: Natalie Bothur

At the Fraunhofer Institute forMaterial Flow and Logistics IML(from the left) Supply chain expert
Dr Sebastian Fabel, CEO Stephan Nelland Motion Editor-in-Chief
Michael Hopp on the conversation

Motion 01.2023

21

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

INTERVIEW

Mr. Fabel, just-in-time, that was once upona time…
Sebastian Fabel: Supply chain risk management has become more important. In thepast, just-in-time, it was assumed that the
supply chain worked. I have minimal stock.
We live in a well-established system. Suddenly that was over. The chips no longer
came. Clearly, there are various technological aids, risk management tools, visibility
software, etc. Expertise in dealing with thisis crucial. The topic has moved to a different
place in the strategic discussion.
Michael Henke: What many companies
call risk management is more akin to crisis
management. At the moment when supply
chains are breaking away, the crisis is already here, the risk is virulent and therefore
professional risk management is no longer
possible. Pro-active risk management, on the

TAKING PARTIN THE DISCUSSIONMICHAEL HENKE
Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Henke is
Institute Manager at the Fraunhofer Institutefor Material Flow and Logistics IML and is
the Chair of Corporate Logistics (LFO) at theDortmund University of Applied Sciences for
Mechanical Engineering. He also serves as
Adjunct Professor for Supply Chain Managementat Lappeenranta University of Technology
Business School in Finland.

SEBASTIAN FABEL
Dr. Sebastian Fabel holds a degree in economics and a doctorate from the Logistics andService Management Chair at the WHU
Beisheim School of Management. He has held
various positions at thyssenkrupp AG since2014 and has been Head of Digital Supply
Chain Services at thyssenkrupp Materials
Services for one year. There he develops digital
services as they relate to the supply chain
under the term “Materials-as-a-Service”.

STEPHAN NELL
Stephan ell has been hief Executive Officerof the UNITED GRINDING Group worldwide
since 2012. He joined STUDER in 2003 as SalesManager for Europe and served there as
Chairman of the Board from 2007 to 2011.

CEO Stephan Nell explains why
the supply chains of the UNITED
GRINDING Group proved to berelatively robust in times of crisis

22

Motion 01.2023

other hand, tries to prevent the crisis situation as much as possible. Some companies
achieved this very well, even during the coronavirus crisis. Obviously, they had the caseof a serious pandemic on the risk radar eventhough it had not occurred in recent years
and had emergency plans in the drawer.
Mr. Nell, the supply chains of the UNITED
GRINDING Group have proven to be relatively robust in the face of the upheavals.
How did you do it?
Stephan Nell: One aspect is that we havenever placed much focus on where thematerial can be obtained most cheaply. We
often buy from a location close to our production. Another point is that we involve our
suppliers early on. And also important: The
UNITED GRINDING Group has a high real
net output ratio. We often do not need thefinished component, but only the raw material – which was easier to procure during
the crisis.
Regardless, how severely were you affected?
Stephan Nell: We felt it. For a while, we spent
about a third of our engineering capacity on
examining how we can build the machineswith other components while maintaining
the same quality. This, combined with greatcommitment and flexibility in the operations
department, enabled us to deliver about 40
percent faster than most competitors. However, the installation of other parts still has
consequences for us as a machine manufacturer in that it affects us for the next 20 or 30
years – that is how long the parts need to beavailable for delivery as part of our service.
We often hear that the alignment of supply
chain management in companies needs tochange. from low stock levels to greater security of supply, placing slightly less focus
on efficienc . Do ou share that opinion
Stephan Nell: Theoretically, yes, but in practice the problem isn’t usually that your stocklevels are too low, you just have the wrong
thing. And the art is actually having the rightparts in stock. I don’t think it’s a good idea tobuild up huge inventories to be prepared fora crisis, which will certainly happen again atsome point. If I build up stock levels today
and the crisis comes in five years time, I mguaranteed to have the wrong thing.
Sebastian Fabel: It is certainly not about increasing inventories beyond measure. We
also see how capital commitment costs,
interest rates, and inflation are developing.
There is still a need to keep working capital
as low as possible.

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD“PROACTIVE RISKMANAGEMENTATTEMPTS TO PREVENT
CRISES AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE.”
Michael Henke

Professor Dr. Michael Henkefrom the Fraunhofer Instituterecommends blockchain
technology to increase theresilience of supply chains

Dr. Sebastian Fabel shows how
thyssenkrupp’s “Materials-as-a-Service”
strategy affects customers’ supply chains

Stephan Nell: We are currently testing a kindof early warning system. Software scans theinformation in the world that is relevant for asmooth supply. Using this should then makeit possible to derive whether there is an impact on a component that we have to buy insix months or three months. Maybe it helps,
maybe not.
Michael Henke: Limiting supply chain disruptions and delivery process delays asmuch as possible primarily requires one
thing: Transparency. The sooner and moreclearly I see what I’ll be facing in terms of
the supply chain, the sooner, more flexibly,and affordably I can successfully prevent
disruptions and delays, or at least reduce
their effects. At the same time, I am building
a foundation for sustainability and flexibility.
The more clearly I see, the more sustainable
and flexible my management becomes.

Dr. Fabel, with 250,000 customers aroundthe world, thyssenkrupp has become anintermediary in supply chains with the“Materials-as-a-Service” strategy. What
does that mean?
Sebastian Fabel: thyssenkrupp itself has a lotof in-house expertise to manage sites, products and supply chain networks. Against the
backdrop of increasing challenges in the
supply chain, we use this expertise as partof our “Materials-as-a-Service” strategy bysupporting our customers with innovative
services such as demand forecasting, or the
optimization of complete supply chains.
Mr. Nell, are there any connecting factors
here?
Stephan Nell: It always depends on where
you stand. A few years ago, we networked
all plants in an SAP system and plan acrossMotion 01.2023

23

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

INTERVIEW

all plants in one system. This helped us in thesituation because we were able to accessit on all continents. If you have a customer
who isn't at that point yet, implementing thattype of project is quite time-consuming – soyour services are surely useful.
Would everyone in the group sign off on
the sentence: The higher the level of digitalization in the supply chain, the smarter
it is?
Sebastian Fabel: No.
Stephan Nell: No.
Michael Henke: Yes and no.
Wow, that was fast!
Sebastian Fabel: Digitalizing a bad processsimply makes it a bad digital process, but
still not a good one. Digitalization is not an
end in itself. It must be done intelligently inorder to add value. This is where data-based
intelligence comes into play. The information
processing alone that goes along with it!

Whether it has to do with exchange rates
or political risks, inquiries or prices. It creates a completely different basis for making
decisions. This helps with forecast quality,
visibility and responsiveness.
Stephan Nell: The prerequisites are the rightprocesses. We can then digitalize them, but
the process has to be right first. During thecrisis, we also had promises from suppliers,
which were revised a few hours later. Thenthey said that AI was now doing the allocation. I prefer to have people on the phonerather than an AI that calculates my updated
needs every 24 hours and thinks it knows
what we sell. All of this needs to be further
developed.
Michael Henke: No one can achieve the level of transparency required today with paper
trails and clipboards. This was already apparent even before COVID and the Ukraine
invasion, duing crises like the financial crisis
or Fukushima. Instead of that, we need touse all the state-of-the-art hardware and“THE ART IS TO HAVE THE RIGHTPARTS IN STOCK. INVENTORYALONE IS NOT ENOUGH.”
Stephan Nell

24

Motion 01.2023

Michael Hopp, Motion Editor-in-Chief,moderates the conversation

software we already possess, but especially
blockchain technology. If widely used. thiscan actually provide excellent transparency
about the companies using blockchain. At
Fraunhofer IML, we have set ourselves thegoal of developing the silicone economy
to completely virtualize value creation processes end-to-end and then to automate
and make them autonomous on this basis.
Stephan Nell: However, transparency mustalso be intentional. The more connected asystem is, the more vulnerable it is. Is theefficiency gain so great that it is worth
taking the risk that the machines will becompletely at risk in the event of a cyberattack? We’ve experienced it for ourselves.
We were attacked and we had to perform a
hard shutdown of the systems. Our plants
had different networking levels. A plant withsystems that still had a certain degree of
isolation came back online faster than fully
automated ones
those took the longest.
It is often said that experiences during
COVID taught us a lot. But what exactly?
And can we use this to see into the future?
Michael Henke: Churchill said, “Never let agood crisis go to waste!” If we have learned
one thing – times are not getting safer. Therefore, we need to learn more and faster fromcrises and further develop our value creation
networks. When supply chain managers collect all the accessible and available data froma value creation network, they can – ideally
via real-time monitoring – identify who in the
supply chain is affected where and by what.
Is climate change also having an impact on
supply chains now?
Sebastian Fabel: Climate change itself is not
yet making itself felt, but rather the various
preventive measures, such as the German
Act on Corporate Due Diligence ObligationsMÄGERLEBLOHM“DIGITALIZATIONIS NOT AN END IN
ITSELF. IT CANNOTTURN BAD
PROCESSES INTO
GOOD ONES.”
Sebastian Fabel

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAin Supply Chains, emissions reporting, andemission prevention strategies. And it isbeing felt within companies in their searchfor concepts that cut emissions and enablecircular value creation.
Stephan Nell: In the UNITED GRINDING
Group, there is one ecological aspect thatis decisive when it comes to procurement.
It doesn't make sense to transport components across the world’s oceans if I can purchase them on the same continent. In my
opinion, transport is too cheap. It is worthtransporting inexpensive components from
A to B, because transport effectively costs
nothing. I think the world could benefit from
more nearshoring. We can already see thison the customer side. Not in Europe. But in
Europe, we tend to talk about an issue for avery long time first. There are other countries
in the world that simply started. This could
lead to reduced transport volumes, which
would certainly help the climate.

WALTER

EWAG

IRPD

How difficult is it to meet societal and political demands on suppl chains Aren t
there often con icting goals
Sebastian Fabel: The Act on Corporate Due
Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains willcertainly lead to expenses, initially. However,
we also see the opportunities in sustainable
solutions. For example, we are currently
working with a manufacturer of production
equipment on a research project in which we
improve visibility in the supply chain in orderto reduce sheet metal waste in the supply
chain and thus save material and CO2 .
Stephan Nell: For us as medium-sized companies, many things are very difficult to implement and impractical. When we purchasesteel from the dealer, we often don't know
which foundry it comes from, how muchelectricity was consumed during production,
let alone how sustainably it was produced…
European policy is struggling to find a measure for evaluating a machine’s energy consumption. It doesn't work the way it does
for a washing machine. If it is possible tooptimize the process and produce the part
three times faster, the contribution to theclimate is much higher than if the machine
consumes a little less energy.
Sebastian Fabel: In our Swiss t-kontrol project, documents are digitalized in order tomake the history of a product visible to thecustomer and, in the medium-term, to show
the original mine that produced the ore ina product. This provides the customer withcomplete transparency and a paper trail. We
are currently developing and testing thiswith our customers, who can also map andcalculate the carbon balance.
Stephan Nell: They say they are in development. But we face the challenges today.
Sebastian Fabel: Yes, that’s precisely thequestion. How do I make the transition
from the status quo and pilot projects tothe target structure and scaling? Whenthe Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal,
everyone wanted real-time transparency toknow which materials were where. But I
think there were too many phone calls andExcel files to find out. The costs were thenmany billions of dollars.

Motion 01.2023

25

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

A DAY WITH …

“I GIVE EVERYTHING
FOR THE CUSTOMERS”
nderstanding customers and finding solutions –this is how Joseph Szenay and his team see theirjob at the S plant in Miamisburg. What is atypical day like for you
TEXT: Markusuth

P OTOS:athaniel Smith“MY FATHER WAS A TOOLMAKER. I learned a lot from him as a teenager and grew up sweeping the floors of our workshop,” says
oseph Szenay, who is now ice President ustomer are at
ITED G I DI G orth America. At the headquarters in
Miamisburg in the S state of Ohio, he is responsible for over
employees from service, spare parts sales and rebuild. The
qualified production engineer has been with the company forover
years. e and his team are currently working on a
strategic growth plan in the ustomer are business unit to
be implemented by
and are also responsible for converting a M GE E MG . “I like the fact that no two workdays
are the same and that there are always new opportunities tomake customers happy through tailored solutions. At
ITEDG I DI G, I have the best team a manager could wish for,”says Szenay. After all, everyone has the same vision and passion for achieving the best results for customers.
CONTACT:oseph.Szenay grinding.com

9:00 A.M.
STATUS CHECK
oseph sets off to the production hall to checkthe status of several conversion projects.
ITED G I DI G orth America s rebuild
team carries out the complete overhaul of
WA TE , B O M and M GE E machines

26

Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

9:30 A.M.
DATA REVIEWJoseph reviews data for a service report together
with Allison Plennert, Administration Services
Supervisor for Customer Care

10:45 A.M.
DIGITAL PROJECTSHe discusses planned projects for digital solutions withField Service Manager Rafael Linan. Linan is a specialist for
UNITED GRINDING Digital Solutions™ in North America“I HAVE THE BEST TEAMA MANAGER COULD WISH FOR.”
Joseph Szenay

12:00 P.M.
CONVERSION IN PROGRESS
Joseph examines
the conversion of aMÄGERLE MGC, one of thelargest projects to date, inthe production hall. He takes
a look at the control system
together with his colleague
Wesley Overholser

Motion 01.2023

27

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

A DAY WITH …

2:00 P.M.
AT THE DESK
Back at his desk, he reads emails andcompiles data for a report. Standardized
reports help enhance the performanceof the UNITED GRINDING service teamaround the world

3:15 P.M.
IT'S ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO DO BETTER
On the way to one of theregular brainstorming sessions
with his team to discuss ideas
for continuous improvements
to ensure that the company
can provide first-class support
for the customer base

“WE ACHIEVE THE BESTRESULTS FOR OUR CUSTOMERSBY WORKING AS A TEAM.”
Joseph Szenay

4:00 P.M.
C.O.R.E.
Joseph gives communications specialist
John Kelly an overview of the new
C.O.R.E. panel to bring him up to datewith the latest developments

5:00 P.M.
REMOTE SERVICE
He talks to a customer together with Field
Service Manager Michael Boesch. Remote
service sessions like this are part of theDigital Solutions package introduced in
North America in 2022
28

Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTERTOOLSTECHNOLOGY
NEWS FROM THE UNITED GRINDING GROUP

CONTENTS
30
31
32

33

34

35

WALTER
Cranial drills for medical procedures
require high-precision grinding
BLOHM JUNG
The economical PLANOMAT XT Essential
is versatile
STUDERThe S151 with the optionalvertical grinding axis
processes tool spindles withhigh precision
STUDER
With its X-ray measuring head,
the S41 ensures high-quality
wafers in chip manufacturing
STUDERThe S36 is now available
with a more powerful spindle
as an option
C.O.R.E.
First customers work with therevolutionary hardware and softwarearchitecture from UNITED GRINDING

The grinding spindleof the STUDER S36
external cylindrical grinding
machine with SmartJet®
cooling system

EWAG

IRPD

UNITED GRINDING GROUPTOOLSTECHNOLOGYThe HELITRONIC MINIAUTOMATION is used by many
companies for large-scale productionof too sso for he th rei tions at companies like evonos

DRILLING FOR MEDICINEThe use of drills in surgery places particularly high demands on
precision and reliability. WA TE contributes significantly to thesuccess of treatments in this area
MECHANICAL DRILLING of an enclosed body
cavity in surgery is called “trepanation,” derived from the Greek word for drills. One of
the most sensitive applications here is a cranial trepanation on living humans. This isneeded, for example, to reduce internalpressure after a traumatic brain injury or to
remove projectiles that have penetrated theskull. A drill used for this purpose, known
as a cranial perforator in technical terminology, must meet special requirements for thesafety of patients – and WALTER makes adecisive contribution here to the successful
completion of cranial trephinations.

CRANIAL PERFORATORS HAVESTRINGENT REQUIREMENTS
For example, one of the leading manufacturers of cranial perforators at evonos in
Tuttlingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, has the
HELITRONIC MINI AUTOMATION, which
gives the evoDrill the necessary finish. “Particularly precise, fast, and with a not too
30 Motion 01.2023

high drilling pressure are just some of thefeatures surgeons need for successful treatment,” said olker Petschauer, Application
Engineer at WALTER. The HELITRONICMINI AUTOMATION makes it particularly
easy to produce in high quality. Using
HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software, automatic machining of the cranial perforator,
with its particularly complex edge profileand tiny drill tip, can be set up in advance.
And the robot loader with up to 1,500 storage positions ensures fast, reliable, and precise production.
Depending on the application, the diameter of the drills varies. It is six millimeters (0.236 inches) for biopsies and up to
14 millimeters (0.55 inches) for other applications. One of the major challenges in thegrinding process is the special properties of the medical steel. It isessentially softer than the highcarbon steel used in tool production and requires precise timing

and speed in the machining and cooling process to obtain optimal material properties.
“But the HELITRONIC MINI AUTOMATION
also masters this without a problem,” said
Petschauer.
CONTACT:olker.Petschauer walter-machines.de

evoDrill cranial perforator fromevonos, produced on the HELITRONICMINI AUTOMATION

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

FLEXIBLE AND PRECISEP A OMAT T Essential is ideal for tool and mold-making as well
as for manufacturing special fixtures

THIS 3-AXIS SURFACE GRINDING MACHINE is suitable for a wide range ofapplications thanks to its precision and flexibility. At the Italian company Serena Manuel Spa in uzzara, the P A OMAT T Essential
supports manufacturing parts and devices for agricultural livestock
breeding, for example, fittings for barrier fences. A system optimized
for surface grinding in reciprocating and creep feed modes and acapacity ofbymillimeters ( 3. by . inches) is used.
The B O M
G machine replaces two older surface grinding
machines at Serena Manuel.

HIGH-PRECISION SURFACE GRINDING
The Italian company is precisely one of the target groups that B O M
G wants to reach with the P A OMAT T Essential: sers fromthe tool and mold-making industry who attach great importance toexcellent grinding quality, and do not require all the technical features of a regular P A OMAT T. The axis speeds, driving power,
and configuration of the P A OMAT T Essential, were precisely
defined for the requirements of high-precision surface grinding. The
machine is equipped with an electro-permanent magnetic chuck(D, optional D 3) for a load of up to ,kilograms (3,3pounds) and a diamond holder with a single point diamond, andprepared for the use of an optionally available manual balancing unit.
The usual pneumatic equipment for the machines of the P A OMAT
series is no longer required.
Another company that is so convinced by the P A OMAT T
Essential, Doeko B. ., has already ordered a second machine. The
Dutch manufacturer of stamping dies, molds, and precision mechanics first learned about the machine at Grinding ub. Today,
Doeko uses it to manufacture high-precision alignment components,
which are used in wafer production to determine the position of the
optics in lithography machines. The required tolerances are in therange of just a few microns.
CONTACT:
Philipp.Wappler blohmjung.com

THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
entralized, automatic greaselubrication for guides andball screws
inear scales for the - and -axes
Manual balancing unit
oolant mist extractor
niversal hinged dressing unit
with pneumatic equipment
arious rotary profile dressing
attachments

Motion 01.2023

31

UNITED GRINDING GROUPTOOLSTECHNOLOGYThe S151 machine for internal cylindrical grinding offers
e efits he m hi ioor ie es

EVERY MICROMETER COUNTS – VERTICALLY TOOSTUDER offers its S151 machine for internal cylindrical grinding with an optionalvertical grinding axis for high-precision grinding of tool spindles in one clamping
THE STUDER S151 CNC UNIVERSAL INTERNALCYLINDRICAL GRINDING MACHINE with workpiece
lengths of up to 1,300 millimeters (51.2 inches) (including clamping devices) is primarily used for machining large spindle shafts,
spindle housings, rotor shafts, and flange
parts. In particular, the tool holding fixture
poses a challenge when grinding high-quality precision tool spindles for large machining centers due to the interlocking keyways

ieof the erti

32 Motion 01.2023

is mo

e

and keys. For this reason, the taper is usually
ground on an internal grinding machine andthe surface with keys and keyways on a separate vertical grinding machine.

HIGHEST PRECISION REQUIRED
Spindle designs with protruding keys are
particularly difficult – especially when precision depends on every micron. “Thensimple grinding to the right and left of the
key is no longer sufficient,” explained Michel
ottet, Internal Grinding Product Manager
at STUDER, and continued: “In the case ofparticularly high-quality spindles, axis deviations in the micron range between the end
face, the internal cone, and the bearing seatsof the spindle are allowed. With machining
operations on two machines, this is achieved
only with considerable time investment.” It istherefore a real breakthrough that STUDER
has developed a vertical grinding axis with arecirculating ball bearing guide for the S151
for high-precision machining of the shaft end
faces – regardless if with or without keyways
and keys.
The new Y-axis is on the revolving turretwheelhead, which can also be equipped withup to three additional grinding spindles forinternal and external grinding. When configuring the turret wheelhead, the customer
can combine the vertical axis with three in-ternal spindles or two internal and one external spindle. “Our customers usually want tohave the full configuration to enable them to
use the machine flexibly,” said Michel ottet,
confirming the high demand in the Europeanand Asian markets. The outstanding precision of the grinding operation on the S151
with a vertical axis is also enhanced by theadditional correction options with interpolation of all axes and the dresser for the Y axis.
CONTACT:
Michel. ottet studer.com

THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Workpiece length (incl. clamping devices):for max.

mm /,3, inchesmm /. inches or max.

Workpiece diameter: max.

mm /21.65 inches
StuderGuide® guideway system withlinear drive
High-precision axis drives with linear motors
Grinding spindle turret with up to four
grinding spindles
Grinding spindle turret with ultra-fastdirect drive
Automatically swiveling worktable
Y-axis for key and keyway grindingMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

The S41 with integrated
X-ray measuring head
ensures high wafer quality
in chip manufacturing

S41 WITH X-RAY MEASURING HEADSTUDER meets the increasing demand for high-precision
wafers for the semiconductor industry with a special
version of the S external cylindrical grinding machine
THE GLOBAL DEMAND for semiconductors has
been increasing for years. Supply bottlenecks occur time and again, and it can beassumed that the situation will not improvein the future. Studies and analyses predictthat the growing e-mobility market alone will
increase the demand for high-performancesemiconductors by more than 20 percent
annually. There is also the photovoltaics
sector. Here the interest in silicon carbide
semiconductors, in particular, is increasing
sharply. Their efficiency is up to 3 percent
higher than conventional silicon semiconductors – even in terms of range and recharging duration.

COMPLETE PROCESSING OF WAFER
INGOTS IN ONE CLAMPING
Due to this high demand, STUDER has
equipped the special version of its S external cylindrical grinding machine with a fully
integrated X-ray unit, among other things.
This development had already begun with
the S40 in the nineties, where productivity and grinding quality were continuously
increased. The X-ray measuring head (XRDOEM) is used for the integrated measurement and control of the crystal axis of an
optical or electronically crystalline material
relative to the grinding axis. In this way, theS can minimize material loss and achieve
the geometric features for the material suchas diameter, flat(s), and notch(es) in just one
grinding operation.
The optics and semiconductor manufacturing industries usually grow theirrequired materials in large reactors in theform of long, cylindrical single crystals. Thisis followed by cutting them into manageable ingots and grinding their surface to therequired dimensions and alignment to themain crystal axis on the S . After furtheralignment, the wafers are then sawn and polished. A marking makes it easy to see thecrystal orientation on the finished wafer. It is
usually produced by grinding a flat section
on the ingot or by grinding a V-slot (notch).

MINIMAL DEVIATIONS BETWEENMEASUREMENTS
The integrated X-ray measurement is performed at the periphery of the rotating
ingot before and after grinding. Freiberg
Instruments’ patented X-ray technology uses
what is known as the Omega-Scan method tomeasure the inclination of the primary crystal
axis relative to the central grinding axis. The
maximum tilt of the primary crystal axis withrespect to the polished wafer surface should
typically be a few degree minutes. The X-ray
probe head calculates the inclination withabsolute precision with a standard deviation
between measurements of less than . 3
degrees. Tolerances of less than 0.4 degrees
also apply to the maximum offset between
the projected inclination of the main axis andthe flat or notch.
However, manufacturers of semiconductor components want even smaller deviations here. This is also no problem for theS
with an -ray sensor, as it is able tomeasure the position of the notch and flatwith absolute precision. The standard deviation between the measurements is below.
degrees (notch) or below . 3 degrees(flat). Ultimately, the conclusion is that,with the highly precise, stable, and userfriendly S with an -ray sensor, ST DE
makes a significant contribution to the manufacturing of particularly high-quality wafers
with high-precision crystal structures already aligned in the machine as a carrier for
high-performance semiconductors.
CONTACT:
Antonio.Bottazzo studer.com

THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Minimal material loss
X-ray unit for measuring
the crystal axis

Determination of the orientation of thecrystal axis with X-ray unit
Complete machining in a single clamping
W-axis for automatic length compensationof ingots
QR scanner, laser, and measuring probe for
automatic registration of the diameter
Option for automatic loading and unloadingof ingots

Motion 01.2023

33

UNITED GRINDING GROUPTOOLSTECHNOLOGYThe S36’s optional high-performance spindle
for particularly wide grinding wheels with the
SmartJet® cooling concept

MORE POWERFUL SPINDLE AS AN OPTION
A new option for the S3 allows flexible
adaptation to customer requirements

A MORE POWERFUL SPINDLE with an output of
up tokilowatts (33 hp) is now available
as an option for the S3 external cylindrical
grinding machine. A wide grinding wheel (diameter 610 millimeters/24 inches, width 160
millimeters/ .3 inches) enables productiveplunge grinding of workpieces with widthsof up to 160 millimeters (6.3 inches) in a single grinding operation. “This makes it possible to grind this part range very efficiently,”said Sales Director Martin Hofmann.
ST DE offers the new spindle a hollow spindle with electronic balancing andwheel contact detection in two versions.
For cutting speeds of 30 to 50 meters per
second (5,900 to 9,840 sfpm) and 63 to 80
meters per second (12,400 to 15,750 sfpm)
at full power. The patented SmartJet® cool-ing concept also contributes to high productivity, effortlessly overcoming the strong
airflow over the wheel caused by the highcutting speeds.

NEW FUNCTIONS AND PROVENTECHNOLOGYThe S3 is an economical and high-quality
grinding solution for medium to large series
with a wide range of automation options.
The machine demonstrates its particular advantages for hydraulic, pump, tooling, ande-mobility applications. These include highgrinding power, cutting speeds of up to
80 meters per second (15,750 sfpm), a longer grinding wheel service life due to thelarge diameter, and state-of-the-art equipment with C.O.R.E. panel, SmartJet® cool-ing, and StuderGuide guideways. Provencomponents such as the sturdy Granitan
machine base ensure the required precision.
CONTACT:
Martin.Hofmann@studer.com

THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Distance between centers:

mm /26.5 inches
enter height:

mm / .

inchesWorkpiece weightkg / 33 lbs (max.)

Grinding wheel D

x

mm /

x .3 inches (max.)
Adjustable grinding wheel angle:
0, 15, 30 degrees
axis travel: 3mm /Driving power:

kW /P (belt-driven

spindle)

kW /

or 33

, 3,

m/s /

or

. inches(motor spindle)
utting speed:

9,840, 12,400, 15,750 sfpm

Front view of the
S36 machinewith C.O.R.E.
touch display

34 Motion 01.2023

PMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

Manufacture ofmodular precision
tool holders on the
PLANOMAT XT 408
with C.O.R.E. touch
display

D'ANDREA IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT C.O.R.E.
The
ITED G I DI G Group s first customers benefit from the many
advantages offered by .O. .E.
EXQUISITE AND INTUITIVE: ooking like a large
modern smartphone, the .O. .E. touch display on a P A OMAT T
from B O M
G recently delivered to Milan, Italy. The
local company D Andrea is a leading global
manufacturer of high-precision accessories for machine tools
and is one of thefirst customers to receive a system with
.O. .E., the
ITED G I DI G Group s
revolutionary and cross-brand hardware
and software architecture. Since uly,
D Andrea has been using the .O. .E. system to manufacture modular precision tool
holders for drilling, milling, and thread-cutting. “Thanks to the new .O. .E. machine,
we have a 3 percent higher output andachieve the required high degree of precision reliably and with repeatable accuracy,”

A typical precision tool holder
manufactured by D'Andrea

said Marino D Andrea, who manages thefamily company with his father and siblingsin the third generation. Since the commissioning of the P A OMAT T, he hasbeen able to significantly increase the production of his surface and profile grinding
department. “We are so satisfied with theprecision and productivity of the machine
that, after eleven months, we decided toorder a second one from B O M
G,”said D Andrea.

A -inch multi-touch display with a process
overview visible from a distance, self-explanatory icons, and the fact that the touch
display can also be operated with gloves
facilitate and speed up the training process,set-up, and operation of the machines.
“ .O. .E. thus makes a significant contribution to cost savings and error reduction,”emphasized Philipp Wappler.
CONTACT:
Philipp.Wappler blohmjung.com

C.O.R.E. MAKES PRODUCTION
MORE EFFICIENT“With .O. .E., we are further expanding ourdigital skills,” said Philipp Wappler, Senior
ey Account Manager at B O M
G.
Thanks to the integrated umati interface(universal machine technology interface),.O. .E. machines can also exchange datawith systems from third-party manufacturers
and can thus be optimally integrated into alarger system network. “The interface is reallyvery user-friendly,” confirmed D Andrea. In
addition, the smart operating system simplifies the control system and monitoring ofproduction processes and enables straightforward contact with ustomer are via
video call directly on the .O. .E. display
through the
ITED G I DI G Digital
Solutions application platform.

THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
ative data exchange between machineswith .O. .E. technology
Data exchange with third-party products via
umati interface
uns autonomously in the customer sinternal network, service requests to

ITED

G I DI G via a high-security server
ITED G I DI G Digital SolutionsTM
applications are fully available-inch multi-touch display for the machine
control system and as an access point for
the entire network

Motion 01.2023

35

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

INTERNATIONALHIGHEST STANDARDSIn Japan, machine tool customers have particularly high demands
on quality and service. After the difficult years of the pandemic, the industry is
now looking more positively into the future
TEXT: Markus Huth

36 Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

JAPAN

Photo: Shutterstock/Blanscape; Illustration: Designed by Freepik

Tokyo

WITH A THICK CLOUD OF STEAM and an eminent
passenger onboard, apan s first train departed 150 years ago. Emperor Meiji wanted to personally experience the almost onehour maiden voyage from Tokyo to Yokohama
in 1872. It is just one example of the manyindustrialization projects that catapulted
Japan into the modern world at an incredible pace. Within a few decades, the land of
the rising sun (Japanese: Nippon) evolved
from an agricultural country to an industrial
power that was the only non-European culture of its time to compete with the geopolitical heavyweights of the West. After theWorld Wars of the 20th century, the islandstate in the Pacific is now firmly integrated
into the global economic system as a democracy and, together with the USA, China,
and Germany, is one of the largest economies in the world.
Because Japan’s modern high-techeconomy relies heavily on complex supply
chains and exports, the COVID-19 pandemic hit it particularly hard. According to theWorld Bank, gross domestic product shrank
by 3.5 percent from 2019 to 2021 to around4.94 trillion US dollars. Fortunately, 2022
brought significant improvements thanks toa successful vaccination campaign and government support for companies and the population. Meanwhile, the economy has reopened to the outside world and recovered
almost to pre-pandemic levels.

ONLY THE BEST QUALITY AND SERVICE
As one of the country’s core industries, themachine tools sector is also looking morepositively into the future. Japan has one of
the largest machine tool industries in theworld and enjoys an excellent reputation as
the home of renowned quality brands. Conversely, this also means that, if Japanesecompanies want to survive in this market,
they must offer the best product quality, innovative technologies, and customer care at
the highest level.
“If there is one word that best describes
our customers, it is ‘demanding,’” said Jun
Ikeda, President of WALTER EWAG Japan.
The location in the city of Anj was chosen
due to its central location on the main islandof onsh and its good connection to ports,
highways, and the Shinkansen high-speed
train. Less than an hour’s drive from here,
Toyota and its neighboring cities are hometo the headquarters of the world’s largest
car manufacturer and its most important
suppliers, whose hunger for employees, rawmaterials, and services shapes the infrastructure of this urbanized region.

iewed from above, onsh is a carpet
made up of cities home to millions such as
Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, as well as larger
and smaller towns connected by a dense
network of highways, country roads, andrailways. The idyllic landscape of green forested mountains emerges almost unexpectedly in between, crowned by Japan’s highest
mountain, the snow-covered volcano Mount
Fuji. This constant alternation between urban
settlement and mountainous nature is characteristic of Japan. Nearly all of the 126 million inhabitants live on onsh and the otherthree main islands of okkaid , Shikoku, andy sh . Space is therefore limited, and at its
fringes, the island nation frays into a rugged
coastline and smaller islands.

COOPERATION AND TRADITION“JAPANESECUSTOMERS ARE
AMONG THE MOST
DEMANDING
IN THE WORLD.”Jun Ikeda,
President of WALTER EWAG Japan

This special island geography is not the only factor that has shaped the history and culture of the Japanese, but also its location in
the Pacific ing of Fire, and thus the constant threat of earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions. The result is a nation with astrong cohesion that places great importance on its tradition. Anyone who wants tobe successful in business in Japan must understand this mentality. “Without a networkof local representatives who have long business relationships in the region, it is almost
impossible to acquire new customers,” said
Joris Brand, who manages BLOHM JUNG’s
business in Japan and is well acquainted
with language and culture.
Brand mentioned that it is true thatJapanese customers are particularly demanding when it comes to grinding machines and machine tools, and usually only
choose non-Japanese manufacturers whendomestic brands have disadvantages in certain applications or technologies. On the
Motion 01.2023

37

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

INTERNATIONAL

248,000,000,000

EUROS

NEED FOR AUTOMATION

Vending machines are an integral part ofJapanese consumer culture and can be found inboth large cities and small towns

other hand, once a business partnership isestablished, the relationship will remain inplace for the long term. Japanese customers’ loyalty is a major opportunity, precisely for manufacturing companies of quality
and precision machines that are known for
innovative technologies, like the UNITED
GRINDING Group. This is because there ishigh demand for this in the high-tech country. For example, in the automotive industry,where the switch to emission-free and more
automated mobility calls for new processes.
Japan also has one of the world’s largest
merchant fleets, invests in offshore wind
power, and is a leader in electronics androbotics. The fact that the Japanese market, like the markets in Europe and North
America, is characterized by many small
and medium-sized companies is also goodnews because it fosters diversity and customized solutions.
38 Motion 01.2023

We travel eastwards from Anj to the Tokyo
metropolitan region with its 40 million people, skyscrapers, neon lights, and historic
temples and palaces. Like all Japanese places, the capital city amazes travelers with its
vending machines everywhere on thestreets. In general, there is a high affinity formachines and robotics in Japan; the country is one of the global technology leadersin this field. One reason for this is the rapidly aging and shrinking population, where
technology increasingly has to replace thedwindling human workforce, for example,
in the care of the elderly. This has implications for the labor market, including the machine tool sector.
“The Japanese grinding industry traditionally uses well-trained and experienced
specialists on more conventional machines,”
said Hajime Hirayama, who manages
STUDER’s Japanese site in Tokyo. However,

Major Japanese cities
like Tokyo are lit up atnight with countlessadvertising andpromotional displaysthese professionals are increasingly retiring
and there are not enough young people toreplace them. “We are therefore increasingly receiving requests from companies that
require high-precision machines that canachieve reproducible quality with the help ofautomation and software assistance, evenwith less experienced operators.”
So the outlook in the country of the rising sun is a little brighter after the difficult
pandemic years – but this does not meanthat there are no challenges. Rising prices
for energy and raw materials in the wake of
the Russia-Ukraine war remain a problem,as do inflation and the strain on the supply
chains. “If Japan is to compete internationally, we will require more flexibility and innovation in the coming years to survive under
the new conditions,” said Jun Ikeda, adding:“at UNITED GRINDING, we will do everything we can to help our customers continue to be successful.”

Images: Shutterstock/yu_photo, Lucas Vallecillos/Alamy Stock Photo, Shutterstock/Sean Pavone

was the revenue Japan made from global machine sales in 2020, which
represented about 9.6 percent of total global sales. Source: VDMAMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

UPDATENEW IN DIGITAL SOLUTIONSMonitoring machines from anywhere in the world, at any time! The digital products andservices under the label UNITED GRINDING Digital Solutions™ deliver on this claim.
“Motion” already did an in-depth report on Remote Service in issue 01/2020. What haschanged since then? What are the new developments?
TEXT: Michael Hopp

REMOTE SERVICE
Remote service without on-site presence gained enormous
importance during the pandemic. With the introduction of the
C.O.R.E. panel, the UNITED GRINDING Group has been able toenhance digital support for customers. A camera built into thepanel now enables a video chat between machine operators andthe UNITED GRINDING Group Customer Care department
directly on the machine. With the built-in whiteboard function,
drawings or notes on photos and documents can be shared
during the video conference. This greatly improves the speed
and quality of problem-solving.

SERVICE MONITORThe Service Monitor keeps an eye on all important maintenancetasks based on the machine’s actual run-time. The fact that themaintenance schedules of the machine park can be managed,
monitored, and documented centrally in a Service Cockpit is a
specific benefit when a large number of machines are connected.
This saves time-consuming maintenance checks and documentation of individual machines.

Brings the right personnel directly to the machine:
In addition to chat and whiteboard functions, the
C.O.R.E. panel also enables video conferencing

PRODUCTION MONITOR

The Production Monitor monitors the capacity
utilization and condition of networked machines andnow also supports UA4MT. This allows integration of
third-party machines

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS APP

Rücken 3,5 mm

Das Kundenmagazin der UNITED GRINDING GroupThe Digital Solutions app is a mobile control center andenables production monitoring on a smartphone. It provides alisting of all connected machines and a production overview foreach system. Service requests with specific data attachments
can be triggered quickly and easily directly via the app on thesmartphone.

MotionINNOVATIONINDEPTH
INTERNATIONALIn MOTION 01/2020,
there was a report on thethen-new customer
support functionality
under the title “Magic
word: remote” (page 20)
for the first time

01.2020
Das Kundenmagazin der
UNITED GRINDING GroupWie sich die UNITED GRINDING Group fit für die Zukunft macht
Wie der Customer Care durch digitale Tools schneller und agiler wird
Wie Vietnam von internationalen Handelsstreitigkeiten profitiert

MIT
HERZ
UND
WISSENWer immer höchste Qualität abliefern
will, muss für seine Arbeit brennen.
Über Sinnhaftigkeit und Begeisterung
in der UNITED GRINDING Group

Leidenschaft für Präzision:
Petr Konečny, Leiterder mechanischen
Fertigung in Kuřim

01.2020

The Production Monitor allows detailed monitoring of production performance in real-time, anywhere and at any time, as a
desktop or dashboard application, but also conveniently as anapp on a smartphone. The result is valuable information about
the capacity utilization and condition of networked machines.
The latest version supports the global communication standard
umati UA4MT (Universal Machine Technology Interface for
Machine Tools). This offers the advantage that, in addition to
the machines of the UNITED GRINDING Group, third-party
machines that support umati can also be integrated into the
Production Monitor.

0101_Titel_U4.indd 1

08.09.20 11:02

Motion 01.2023

39

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

IDEAS

K
C
A
B
TO

E
TH

Everyone is always talking about digitalization – but there is
one word that is changing our world even more profoundly:
digitality. Why information technologies are reshaping
structures for a global world that benefits regions too
TE T: Max Thinius

40

Motion 01.2023

MÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

Illustrations: rawpixel.com/Freepik, Starline/Freepik

E
G
A
L
L
I
V
NO TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION can be achieved
without profound changes. This was alreadythe case at the beginning of industrialization.
In order for centrally located steam engines
to be able to put their advantages to use,
entire cities had to be converted. People, as
the workforce, should ultimately be as close
as possible to this new technology. Industry
and politics realized that with the new technology, centralized structures were more efficient and produced better results. Along theway, our everyday life was shaped by this:with new working hours, social laws, and thedevelopment of new types of insurance. We
made more money, banking expanded, andsupermarkets developed, as did increasingly
global structures – globalization picked up
speed. In an industrial context, this meant
the highest possible level of centralizationof processes, thereby increasing efficiency
and profitability. Export nations and logistical structures were created, which, in theirperfection, enabled “just-in-time” production
across several locations.
Digitality does not abolish this industrial
globalization either, but it is changing and becoming more varied. Digital technologies are
increasingly supplementing existing global
structures with local value-creation opportunities or even replacing them completely.
We observe these kinds of processes in allindustries, for example in the lumber industry. Shelves for a large furniture store are stilllargely produced centrally in Asia, Georgia or
Romania. However, due to digitality, there isincreasingly a different form of production
via local carpentry companies, directly inthe respective sales markets. These compa-

nies work on digitally-controlled machines,
they are networked around the world, monitored by sensors, and can produce exactly
the same quality at every local location – forthe people in the respective region. Digitalmachines are even in a position to produce
products with special dimensions at almost
no additional cost. The production costs
are however on average 20 to 40 percent
higher than the current globally centralized
structures. However, the logistics chain issignificantly shorter and the risk of oversupply is lower.

DIGITALITY PROMOTES AUTONOMOUSSTRUCTURES
The major ready-to-wear manufacturers in
the textile industry are also increasingly moving towards producing certain collections in
the regions where they are to be sold. Here,too, the machines for manufacturing havebecome so inexpensive and flexible that the
total costs can often be lower than production in the Far East. A crucial factor is thatthe setup costs of state-of-the-art digital andnetwork-capable machines are increasingly
eliminated, and digital assistance systems
support operators for simplified and more efficient production. In addition, unlike before,
no minimum quantities of individual sizes orwidths, need to be produced. Instead, theMotion 01.2023

41

UNITED GRINDING GROUP

IDEAS

ABOUT
MAX THINIUS
As a futurologist, best-selling author
Max Thinius is concerned with how people,
companies, and regions can identify and shape
new opportunities for the future. Among otherthings, he advises the German Federal
Government, ministries, andDAX companies. With his
lecture show “Zukunft
unplugged” (Future
unplugged) andnumerous media
appearances, heintroduces his ideas
to a large audience.

42

Motion 01.2023

intelligence (AI) can use various data fromsociety, supply chains, incoming orders,market analyses, the environment, or social
influences to ensure the best possible production processes. This reduces various risk
parameters of global supply chains, productadjustments, or market changes.

VALUE CREATION RETURNS TOREGIONSThe special feature of digital globality is thatit once again ensures local value creationin the regions. It can also be used by businesses in small and medium-sized cities
and even rural areas. This is exciting, as it
establishes a new form of global distribution. Different regions can blossom again,
and greater diversity is possible, as eachhas different advantages that it can deliver
within a decentralized network. But in theend, digital technology is not only changing
globalization and our supply chains but alsoenabling new structures in all areas of lifethat are developing into new smart systems.
With this development in mind, thequestion arises as to whether it should evenbe called “industry” in the future. Perhaps itis better if we think of it in other terms suchas “automotive digitality,” “textile digitality,”or “food digitality.” Because if we alreadythink of it under a different name, we canopen ourselves up to the new structuresand find new solutions more easily – andthus also new business models. The lattercan offer significantly better value than ourprevious models, which also increases thegeneral public’s interest to implement them.
We are only at the beginning of this development today. Even large Internet corporations are still companies that are largely
characterized by the classic industrial structure but are already very adept in using digital technologies. Only when the potentialof digitality is exploited in the economy,society, politics, finance, and other areasof life can opportunities for everyday humanlife be multiplied. The great thing about thisis that the possibilities for this already exist
today – and precisely because we are stillin the early stages, we can help to shape
this future.

Illustrations: rawpixel.com/Freepik, Starline/Freepik; Photos: Max Thinius, Deutsche Messe AG

individual product can be produced exactly
in the quantity required, as it is needed locally. And for larger quantities, several local
producers join forces globally.
This trend can be observed in manyother industries. In the automotive industry,for example, it is no longer uncommon forcertain spare parts to be produced on-site
in workshops using 3D printing. In the digital world, we are talking about decentralized solutions that are beginning to replace
centralized industrial structures. The novelty
here is that they are self-sufficient in themselves and can take all the necessary steps
largely independently They only connect tolarger networks when needed. This means
there is no longer a centralized control point;
instead, customized machines with artificialMÄGERLE

BLOHM

JUNG

STUDERSCHAUDTMIKROSAWALTER

EWAG

IRPD

EMO HANOVER –LEADING TRADE SHOWFOR PRODUCTIONTECHNOLOGYSEPTEMBER 18–23, 2023,
HANOVER, GERMANYONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT TRADE SHOWS for manufacturers in production technology will take place this year
in Hanover. Under the motto “Innovative Manufacturing”,
more than 1,000 exhibitors will be presenting the entire
range of modern metal processing technology. Major focal
points are machining and forming machine tools, as wellas production systems and precision tools. It is one of themost important meeting places for professionals frommajor industrial sectors, including machinery and systems,
automotive, and aerospace technology sectors.
The UNITED GRINDING Group will also be represented
with its own exhibition area, where it will present innovations from its companies. “We are very pleased thatafter four years, an EMO is taking place in Hanover again
and that we can personally welcome customers andvisitors,” said Paul Kössl, Global Head of Business
Development and Marketing at UNITED GRINDING Group.
EMO – Exposition Mondiale de la Machine Outil
September 18–23, 2023, Hanover Exhibition Center,www.emo-hannover.com

OTHER TRADE SHOWS:

MAY/JUNE 2023
MAY 30–JUNE 2, 2023
MACH-TOOL –POZNAN, POLANDJULY 2023
JULY 4–7, 2023
MTA VIETNAM –HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

OCTOBER 2023
OCTOBER 10–13, 2023
MSV –BRNO, CZECH REPUBLICOCTOBER 18–21, 2023
MECT –NAGOYA, JAPANNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
NOVEMBER 22–25, 2023
THAIMETALEX –BANGKOK, THAILAND
NOV. 30. TO DEC. 2, 2023
TECH INDUSTRY –RIGA, LATVIAYOU CAN FIND THE LATEST
TRADE SHOW DATES AT
www.grinding.ch/en/events

Motion 01.2023

43

UNITED GRINDING Group
3014 Bern, Switzerland
T +41 31 356 01 11
grinding.ch

SURFACE AND PROFILECYLINDRICAL

TOOLMÄGERLESTUDERWALTERWALTER EWAG

8320 Fehraltorf, Switzerland
T +41 43 355 66 00
maegerle.com

3602 Thun, Switzerland
T +41 33 439 11 11
studer.com

72072 Tübingen, Germany
T +49 7071 9393 0
walter-machines.com

BLOHM JUNGSTUDERWALTER

Warwick
3 D ,Great Britain
T +44 1926 4850 47
walter-machines.com

21033 Hamburg, Germany
T +49 40 33461 2000
blohmjung.com

2504 Biel, Switzerland
T +41 32 344 04 50
studer.com

30827 Garbsen, Germany
T +49 5131 4948 0
walter-machines.com

BLOHM JUNGSTUDERWALTER

73037 Göppingen, Germany
T +49 7161 6271 800
blohmjung.com

Tokyo 143-0016, Japan
T +81 3 6801 6140
studer.com

3 u im, zech epublic
T +420 541 4266 11
walter-machines.com

SCHAUDT MIKROSA

EWAG

73037 Göppingen, Germany
T +49 7161 6271 815
schaudtmikrosa.com

4554 Etziken, Switzerland
T +41 32 613 31 31
ewag.com
WALTER EWAG

ADDITIVE
MANUFACTURING

Anjo ity, apanT +81 556 71 1666
walter-machines.com
WALTER EWAG

609916 Singapore
T +65 6562 8101
walter-machines.com

IRPD

9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
T +41 71 274 73 10
irpd.chUNITED GRINDING GROUP INTERNATIONALUNITED GRINDING

UNITED GRINDING

UNITED GRINDING

Shanghai, P. . hina
T +86 21 3958 7333
grinding.cn

Bangalore 560058, India
T +91 80 30257 612
grinding.ch

Querétaro, Qro. 76090, Mexico
T +52 4421 99 5010
grinding.com

UNITED GRINDING

UNITED GRINDING

Beijing, P. . hina
T +86 10 8526 1040
grinding.cn

Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
T +1 937 859 1975
grinding.com

WALTER EWAG

ertemate con
Minoprio ( O), Italy
T +39 31 7708 98
walter-machines.com