Published 5/29/2019

Chicago Innovation Days Emphasize Advanced Technology

DMG MORI Chicago Innovation Days highlighted integrated digitization, automation solutions and additive manufacturing while introducing two machines to the U.S. market.

Automation

Chris Felix

Former Editor-in-Chief, Production Machining

DMG MORI Chicago Innovation Days highlighted integrated digitization, automation solutions and additive manufacturing. A special focus on the machine tool manufacturer’s 35-year history in 5-axis and two U.S. premieres (the ALX 2000 and the DMP 70) completed the event.

Presentations at Innovation Days elaborated on the company's support of the digital factory with open connectivity. In the overall picture of the “Path of Digitization,” DMG MORI offers its customers the opportunity either to implement comprehensive, customized end-to-end solutions with the CELOS Ecosystem’s digital products and software systems, or to gradually go from strength to strength and transform their companies into digital factories. The ultimate goal is high transparency, effective processes, maximum availability and the best possible production reliability.

The Innovation Days event displayed many forms of automation, which DMG MORI describes as a crucial component of the digital factory. One of the machines highlighted at the event as a U.S. premiere--the ALX 2000—was shown with the compact GX 7 gantry loader, which can handle workpieces as long as 150 mm and can be combined with various other automatic peripheral equipment such as parts cleaning, measuring and marking.

The other U.S. premiere, the DMP 70 features a footprint of barely more than 46 square feet and is designed for applications in medical technology and job shops, as well as the aerospace sector and other demanding industries. Travel paths of 27 x 16 x 15 inches and the optional integrated swivel/rotary table enable 5-axis simultaneous machining of a range of components. The machine was shown at Innovation Days with the workpiece handling WH 3 Cell, which can be connected from the right, left, or front of the machine.

Multiple additive solutions were on display during Innovation Days. The Lasertec 4300 3D Hybrid, designed for large parts, offers additive manufacturing, turning and milling in a single machine. The Lasertec 65 3D powder nozzle machine is a dedicated additive solution for prototypes, small-series, repair and coating. The Lasertec 65 3D Hybrid combines additive with full 5-axis milling.

Dr. Mori addressed the press with discussions surrounding workforce development, the company’s advances in additive manufacturing technology, and how the company is addressing the rapidly changing automotive market.

Industrial Digitization

The trend towards industrial digitization is fundamentally altering the framework of metal cutting production technology. DMG MORI has offered digitization solutions on its machines since 2013 with the CELOS app-based control and user interface. At the same time, the company has been expanding the range of solutions it offers to create an open ecosystem for the digital factory. DMG MORI is increasing its portfolio of CELOS services with intelligent software solutions and connective hardware. Additionally, the company has established the CELOS Club, which offers customers solutions on their path to Industry 4.0 and IIoT.

Automation

Automated machines are crucial components of a digital factory and therefore an integral part of intelligent and networked production. DMG MORI views automation as a strategic future-oriented field. The production plant in Davis, California, assumes an important role in the development and implementation of automation solutions. The portfolio ranges from technical consultations and budgeting to possible machine modifications, and installation and commissioning.

During Innovation Days, DMG MORI presented automation solutions for machines produced locally in Davis. The CMX 1100 V was equipped with modular workpiece handling and the ALX 2000—a U.S. premiere—was shown with the GX 7 gantry loader. The NHX 4000 was demonstrated with a rotary pallet storage (RPS) system for 21 pallets and the NHX 6300 with a linear pallet pool (LPP) for twelve pallets.

Additive Manufacturing

DMG MORI has been involved in the growing field of additive manufacturing for more than 20 years. The company has five Additive Manufacturing Excellence Centers (AMEC) worldwide. It also holds a 30% share in software developer InTech, which has provided key software and technological expertise for generative production. A first result of this collaboration is the new Optomet software, which InTech offers for the Lasertec SLM series machines. It has self-adjusting and learning algorithms that calculate the required parameters of the SLM process in advance within minutes.

U.S. Premieres

The ALX 2000, produced at the company’s Davis facility and shown for the first time in the U.S. at Innovation Days, is designed to be a stable, dynamic and compact turning machine that provides maximum spindle speed of 4,500 rpm and a BMT (base mount tool) turret with twelve powered tools and tailstock. The ALX 2000 also offers an optional gantry loader.

As the successor of the MillTap 700 (with more than 3,000 machines installed), the new DMP 70 is designed for maximum productivity in the smallest space. With a footprint of only a little more than 46 square feet, it is 10% smaller than the MillTap 700. It is designed for applications in medical technology and job shops, as well as the aerospace sector and other demanding industries. Travel paths of 27 x 16 x 15 inches and the optional integrated swivel/rotary table enable 5-axis simultaneous machining of a range of components. The machine was shown at Innovation Days with the workpiece handling WH 3 Cell, which can be connected from the right, left, or front of the machine.

Looking to the Future

The event featured a press conference with Dr. Mori, president of DMG MORI Co. Ltd., and Mr. James V. Nudo, President of DMG MORI USA, who discussed the company’s outlook on such topics as its goals for its U.S.-based manufacturing operations, the effects of recent tariff changes on manufacturing, efforts towards workforce development, the substantial changes occurring in the automotive market, and the company’s positioning in the additive manufacturing industry.