Challenges

Even successful companies like Autz + Herrmann have to adapt to shifting market requirements. Remaining faithful to the company motto "Sheet Metal Unlimited," CEOs Irina Autz and Florian Friedrich are always on the lookout for new technologies and automation options. Automated panel bending was previously missing from their business portfolio. When a customer request for quantities of up to 10,000 parts per year comes in, the pair realise that neither their existing machines nor the number of experienced bending specialists will be sufficient. So they decide to invest in a TruBend Center 7020 from TRUMPF. First of all, they consider a small-scale automation solution. However, in-depth discussions with bending experts from TRUMPF and strategic TRUMPF partner and automation specialist Starmatik made it clear that adding a robot system for automation would be a better solution. Autz and Friedrich are the first TRUMPF customers to opt for the TruBend Center 7020 offered jointly by TRUMPF and Starmatik, including a fully automated loading and unloading unit. Integrating the system into the existing STOPA warehouse, as advised by the TRUMPF experts, further speeds up the automated processes.

Solutions

TRUMPF and automation specialist Starmatik have been partners since 2021. Autz + Herrmann is the first company to benefit from this strategic partnership. Through detailed and in-depth consultations, the experts from TRUMPF and Starmatik developed a solution for Autz + Herrmann that will secure the company's technological leadership in panel bending now and in the future.  

The TruBend Center 7020 panel bender with a robot-assisted loading and unloading unit from Starmatik is connected to the STOPA storage system with 550 storage locations. This system ensures that the finished parts are unloaded during operation without interrupting the bending process. "The entire system is extremely productive, requiring minimal operator intervention," explains Florian Friedrich. "We are not interested in reducing staff numbers. Fully automated machines such as the TruBend Center 7020 allow us to assign valuable skilled workers to other tasks."  

In addition to speed, the TruBend Center 7020 also impresses in terms of quality. "The ACB Laser sensor-based angle measurement system allows us to monitor the angles during the bending process so we can bend even tight tolerances with high precision. We program all bending machines using the TecZone Bend programming software in combination with the SimulEasy simulation software. The program creates 3D simulations including collision monitoring. This ensure that we can process even complex components precisely and reliably," explains Florian Friedrich.   

The comprehensive solution, comprising a panel bender and an automated robot loading and unloading unit, markedly enhances cycle and throughput times at the Autz + Herrmann bending centre. This not only boosts efficiency but also enables the entrepreneurial duo to attract a broader clientele. "The expansion of our bending expertise and new production options are in line with our desire to provide everything from a single source," says Irina Autz. 

Implementation

"We appreciate the expert advice that TRUMPF offers us," says Irina Autz. "The panel bending machine with automation unit in particular has again shown how important this is." And Florian Friedrich adds: "The experts from TRUMPF and Starmatik invested their time, listened to us and worked as a team, which we really appreciated. We got virtually everything from one source."  

Forecast

Like their predecessors, CEOs Irina Autz and Florian Friedrich enjoy a strong and trusting alliance with TRUMPF. They are also keen to maintain this relationship going forward. "Our contact person at TRUMPF doesn't pressurise us. He understands us and works with us. This was also evident in the last project," explains Florian Friedrich. In addition to expanding their bending expertise, the CEOs are also planning to broaden their strategic positioning by introducing their own products in the future.

Date: 2024-03-26