Blechexpo 2019: TRUMPF presents new solutions for connected manufacturing

Heinz-Jürgen Prokop: “Digital connectivity also provides a way of improving the efficiency of upstream and downstream processes in sheet metal fabrication” // TRUMPF’s factory design service helps reduce the use of time and resources by up to 50 percent // New software solution supports employees in their everyday work 

Ditzingen, September 18, 2019 – TRUMPF will be presenting a range of new smart factory solutions at Blechexpo, which is set to take place in Stuttgart this November. The company will be taking the opportunity offered by the international trade fair for sheet metal working to show how digital connected applications can help improve how production is organized and reduce costs. “We make highly productive machines. Yet only 20 percent of the cost of completing a job is incurred during the actual machining stage on the system itself. Using our connected products and services, customers can now boost the efficiency of the production processes in sheet metal fabrication that occur upstream and downstream from the machine,” says Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, Chief Executive Officer Machine Tools at TRUMPF. These upstream and downstream stages are where 80 percent of the job is processed. At Blechexpo, TRUMPF will be showing how solutions such as its factory design services can reduce the time and resources required to complete a job by up to 50 percent.
Connecting up existing machinery
The solutions TRUMPF will be exhibiting rely on sensors, software and services. One of the things the company will be demonstrating at the trade fair is how to add connected applications to existing machinery. “In today’s world, digital solutions are a prerequisite for automating production processes. They can be used to optimize manufacturing processes, improve quality, avoid downtime, and achieve a more even distribution of work across all machines and workstations,” says Prokop. At Blechexpo, TRUMPF will be showcasing a fully connected system and presenting a new software solution that shows how digitalization can make people’s working lives easier. In the future, it supports workers at various workstations on the shop floor, for example machine operators or assembly line workers. Depending on the task at hand, the digital assistant on the tablet provides specific information to support people’s daily tasks, ranging from advice on how to correctly set up the machine and tips on parts picking to details of the required tools and equipment. This helps both unskilled and experienced employees to work independently and efficiently and take the initiative where necessary. This digital solution reduces the time spent searching for tools and other items and enhances the quality of production.
Even better support and service in the future
TRUMPF will also be presenting its concept for future predictive maintenance services, based on a power-tube. This part, which forms the heart of the laser generator in almost all CO2 laser cutting machines, automatically reports its status to the operator. As a result, the user knows when the part needs replacing and when the time has come to submit a repeat order. This is an efficient way of avoiding unplanned downtime.  

Digital photographs in print-ready resolution are available to illustrate this press release. They may only be used for editorial purposes. Use is free of charge when credit is given as “Photo: TRUMPF”. Graphic editing – except for dropping out the main motive – is prohibited. Additional photos can be accessed at the TRUMPF Media Pool.

		Digitalization supports sheet metal fabricators’ everyday work. TRUMPF will be showcasing new solutions for connected manufacturing at Blechexpo	

About TRUMPF
The high-technology company TRUMPF offers production solutions in the machine tool and laser sectors. It is driving digital connectivity in manufacturing industry through consulting, platform and software offers. TRUMPF is the world technological and market leader for machine tools used in flexible sheet metal processing, and also for industrial lasers.
In 2018/19 the company – which has about 14,500 employees – achieved sales of 3.8 billion euros (preliminary figures). With over 70 subsidiaries, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly all the countries of Europe, North and South America, and Asia. It has production facilities in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the USA, Mexico, China and Japan.

For more information about TRUMPF go to www.trumpf.com

Press contact:
Dr. Manuel Thomä	Catharina Daum
Head of Media Relations	Spokesperson Machine Tools
+49 7156 303-30992	+49 7156 303-30428
Manuel.Thomae@trumpf.com	Catharina.Daum@trumpf.com

TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG, Johann-Maus-Straße 2, 71254 Ditzingen, Germany