The WILD Group will invest EUR 2.7 million in its Völkermarkt factory this year alone. This marks a significant step towards greater economic efficiency, productivity and quality. After all, WILD is not known for focusing on one-off solutions, but for keeping an eye on the big picture. The same applies here: the company took these measures toward greater automation in CNC production and measurement Technology as an opportunity to also optimise the goods and information flows around these.

The major productivity gains from the new plant Equipment will not come uniquely through increases in speed. „We are also keen on eliminating any waste in these processes. This can only be achieved if, in addition to the system, we also focus on its immediate surroundings and the corresponding information flows“, Production Manager Robert Lackner explains. In the past, for instance, machine operators would be given tool information on paper. Meanwhile, the machine receives this data directly from the tool-measuring device. This eliminates boring routine activities, reduces error rates and saves time. „The next step will be to make drawings and setup sketches available in a digital form. We‘ve already set up a prototype workplace.“

The essential advantage is that the new systems Need less human intervention. The loading and unloading of the HERMLE C32 milling machine with workpieces, for instance, is done completely automatically by a KUKA robot. When combined with a large tool magazine, it is no longer necessary to have a complicated setup and running-in of components into the machine. „The RS05 robot cell can work fully autonomously during the night or on Sundays and holidays. After the weekend, our workers will take out the finished parts“, Lackner explains. In order to expand its part range in terms of size, WILD purchased a HERMLE C42 for larger milled parts. The machine can also be used for multiple setups. In the lathing section, this year the company will invest in an OKUMA LU 3000, an additional lathing centre that allows for milling above driven tools. „In surface engineering, we are also working on the automation of the painting process using robots“, says Production Manager Mario Pföstl.

WILD‘s planning agenda also includes reorganisation of the measurement Technology division. „Our aim is to integrate measurement into the value stream as smoothly as possible, and to further advance the statistical process control (SPC). For this purpose, we want to digitise the collection and Management of measurement data wherever possible“,adds Lackner.