Metav 2022 Digital transformation: latest Industry 4.0 and metrology trends

Metav 2022 from June 21 to 24 in Düsseldorf, Germany, is showcasing metrology solutions that provide users with powerful support as they embrace the digital transformation. The spectrum ranges from software apps through to fully automatic measurement assistants.

Dr. Heike Wenzel, CEO of Wenzel Group, Wiesthal, and Hermann Diebold, CEO of Helmut Diebold company in Jungingen, report on the smart solutions their companies are displaying at Metav 2022.

“The turbulent times we are currently experiencing are posing major challenges for almost all companies,” explains Dr. Heike Wenzel. “2021 proved to be a successful business year overall, and this year we are remaining optimistic about further growth despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.” Away from the crises, the CEO of the Wenzel Group reports that the company has been working to clear a large backlog of projects since the beginning of 2022. She is now pleased to note, however, “...how many companies are starting to invest in future-proofing aspects such as e-mobility and sustainability”.

“Horrendous price rises” and procurement problems

For Hermann Diebold, the procurement of materials and electronic components is the biggest problem. This is exacerbated by “horrendous price rises that we have difficulty passing on to customers”. The pandemic hit the company hard because of the high levels of employee absence it caused, but this is now over. The only impact which the Ukraine war is having on the southern German company is the increased cost of energy. Diebold: “The trade fairs have started up again and we are meeting a lot of people. We're waiting to see if the Covid numbers start to rise again as a result.”

At Metav 2022, both CEOs are showcasing solutions that support users in digitalizing their factories. “Measurement technology for us is not only important and interesting — it is an absolutely central factor, especially in these times of digital transformation,” emphasizes CEO Wenzel. She describes the WM|Generator computer tool as a revolutionary development. It generates measuring programs automatically, and thus much more efficiently, from CAD models, and includes the product and manufacturing information.

No more errors thanks to built-in measurement and control technology

Automation of the measurement process also plays a key role for Diebold. In Düsseldorf, for example, the company will be showing new devices for heat-shrinking tools. These are operated simply by tapping a touchscreen, thereby taking them beyond a purely data-driven Industry 4.0 solution. This single touch starts the process which is then taken over by the built-in measurement and control technology. The device detects the tool contour and automatically regulates the energy input and the exposure time.

“Triggered by a single touch, the process is fully automated and error-free,” Diebold says. “This makes for genuine sustainability, as only the minimum amount of electrical energy is consumed. A further new departure is that the tools are now protected from damage.”

Real-time online measurement — and with balancing machines

The Düsseldorf trade fair is also spotlighting the ongoing trend towards online and (preferably) real-time measurement. Four years ago, the Bavaria-based Wenzel Group developed real-time software for the analysis of measuring tasks and the related machines. “The WM|SYS Analyzer offers full data transparency for measuring machines and measuring environments,” says CEO Wenzel. “Authorized users are provided with all necessary real-time information in an attractive interface.”

Diebold, too, is aware of the demand for online measurement. Here, the southern German company offers its customers quality checks of its Diebold tool holding fixtures. “The tool holding fixtures are measured electronically here at Diebold, with each individual part receiving a digital measurement report. This allows the customer to see which HSK tapers meet the quality standards and which do not.”

The other solution is a new range of machines for balancing tools and grinding wheels. Diebold: “Our decades of experience in tool manufacturing and spindle construction have enabled us to develop digitalized balancing machines that measure with significantly greater more accuracy than existing products on the market.”

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