Collaboration is the key to automation

Report Knowledge Session Automation at De Groot

What will the workplace look like in five, 10 or even 20 years? That question was the focus of the Automation Knowledge Session on February 9 in Rosmalen. The conclusion of the morning was that there are already many solutions available, that the right combination of solutions is different for everyone and that the success of automation lies mainly in sustainable partnerships.

Software links and automation
Harld van Hattum, Luuk Teurlinx, Stijn Münninghoff and Kaming Ming

Team Automation at De Groot kicks off the day with a short journey through the history of CNC programming. Now that we know where we came from, we can quickly move on to the future. Linking with DXF, ISO, CIX? No problem, each file format has its advantages and disadvantages and are therefore suitable for different applications.
Data is also definitely an important topic in the future. Want to know how your machines are performing? Thanks to the IoT tools Biesse Sophia and Little AppSuite, you'll know within a few taps.
A brief introduction to the latest Biesse software SmartAction, bOpti and SmartStacking shows how software can take many time-consuming tasks out of the workshop.

Finally, we get some tips on backing up the computers behind the machines with the goal of increased reliability. A real eye-opener for many visitors.

Customer Story Everykastopmaat.nl
Dick van den Brink

The name suggests it, and owner Dick van den Brink confirmed it during the morning. Elkekastopmaat makes custom cabinets. Single piece production so, every order is different. What can you automate at such a company? Quite a lot, Dick explains. In linking the software to the machines, they use macros and standardizations as much as possible. For each panel, they can still choose in the workshop which of their two Biesse CNC machines will machine the panel. The QR code is scanned and the machine does the rest. The process works very efficiently. The operator can load one machine while the other is working.

Royal CBM - impact of automation on personnel
Anouk van Stipriaan and Monique van Niekerk

Anouk joined the conversation with the knowledge session participants. What impact does automation have on personnel? Will work become more boring or more fun? Will employees become unhealthier with less exercise? Do they feel like learning a new way of working? There are plenty of opinions on the subject.
Yes, the work is going to be different and many employees see this as a threat. Therefore, it is important to include staff from the planning stage. Make use of the talents available and continuously keep gauging work happiness in the organization. The Royal CBM is happy to help you with this.

Customer Story Plessers Doors
Ruben Plessers

Some customers know exactly what they want, and Plessers Deuren is a good example. A sheet warehouse with a nesting machine, controlled directly from an Excel document and with the ability to drill headers. With that wish, Ruben Plessers went looking for a machine supplier and he found the solution with De Groot. What followed was a beautiful cooperation and the visitors were fascinated when Ruben presented the solution in a video.

Workshop of the future
Arjan Hannewijk

Faster nesting in the future? Sure you can, but then what will you do with your dust? With T-Jet, Biesse has the solution to this.
Automatically loading your machine? Fine, but how does your colleague behind the edge banding machine know which edges need to be edged? An automatic labeler reduces the margin of error in your workshop.
Arjan could go on for hours with his story, but the most important thing we can take away is that the solution is there, but that you no longer have to look for the answer with an account manager alone. Nowadays we need several disciplines to come up with a successful solution. That is why De Groot invests a lot in partnerships. For example during this knowledge session, where several software suppliers were also present.

IMOS - WoodIntelligence
Alexander van der Linden

WoodIntelligence presented imos' revolutionary Biesse iX software solution at the knowledge session. This unique modular solution focuses on designing custom parametric cabinets. In just 20 minutes, a complete kitchen was designed and prepared for production.
What makes Biesse iX unique is that it offers tools not only for designing and manufacturing, but also for selling custom cabinets. The configurator allows customers to put together their dream cabinet online. With the increasing sales of furniture online, Biesse iX is an excellent addition to any sheet metal production.

WoodIntelligence is the Dutch and Belgian knowledge partner for imos products. Alexander and his team offer guidance, e-learning and smart modules that are easy to import into your library.

Put together your unique solution

Automation, we can't get away from it. We are challenged in a changing landscape. Fortunately, as a sheet metal worker, you can rely on many companies that each offer a piece of the puzzle. Whether you're running with personnel issues, looking to optimize your software or looking for new machinery. The right combination of solutions will mean success for you.