10 Brand & markets <strong>AHEAD</strong> Issue 02.2012 vErSATILE Several exhibits demonstrated to visitors the versatility of the KraussMaffei industrial and linear robots.
KraussMaffei Brand & markets 30-yeaR aNNIVeRSaRy of KRauSS-MaffeI auToMaTIoN aG ExpErIENcING roBoTS FIrST-HAND TexT: eVa MÜNZeNMaIeR PHoToS: STefaN KRuPPa did you known that robots can tell different brands of candy bars apart? No? And that they can put on a puppet show? Again, no? A few peculiar exhibits at the event marking this year’s 30th anniversary of Krauss-Maffei Automation AG made it clear that, in the world of robots, there are few limits. When it comes to plastic processing, KraussMaffei’s industrial and linear robots perform the most complex tasks throughout the production flow. They are always accurate, quick, and efficient. The highlights among the exhibits were a robot equipped with a camera system, which served guests the candy bars of their choice, and an industrial robot produced by Kuka, which used meticulous movements to perform a puppet show – entertainment of a different kind. “The more complex the task, the more it delights our technicians,” explains General Sales Manager Thomas Marufke with a smile. “Regardless of the application, we find a way of setting it up as efficiently as possible for our clients.” Efficient production and complex robotics were just two of the themes that held the attention of over one thousand visitors, clients, suppliers, and employees who were present at the Schwaig facility in July. “Our company has been ordering machines made by KraussMaffei, including the associated automation solutions, for twelve years. Thanks to KraussMaffei’s consistently positive and quick implementation, we are looking forward to a successful collaboration with them in the future as well,” explains Erhard Dietsch, who is responsible for automation technology at Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co KG. “These anniversary celebrations gave us the opportunity to once again get to know several new approaches and ideas, some of which came from our interactions with other clients, regarding how we could use automation to make our production more efficient.” “After all the work we have done together over so many years, it was great to see so many familiar faces at a celebration of this nature. All you can do is congratulate them for throwing such a wonderful birthday party,” agrees Johann Kerler, Maintenance Manager at Mouldtec Kunststoff GmbH, which is located in the city of Kaufbeuren. “I was particularly impressed by the Augsburg Puppet Theater exhibition. We have been a client of KraussMaffei Automation for more than 20 years. Their innovative and sustainable solutions never cease to amaze us! Many of our oldest systems are still running in a three-shift operation.” Steady growth with automation solutions At present, work can be carried out simultaneously in up to 15 production cells in the workshops in Schwaig. KraussMaffei develops between 300 and 350 three-axis linear robots and about 50 six-axis industrial robots every year. “And the numbers are going up,” according to Thomas Marufke. Six months ago, the production and assembly facilities in Schwaig were doubled to about 1,700 square meters. It is now working at full capacity and nine vacancies have been announced at the company’s headquarters. In order to ensure that the company’s growth continues to be sustainable and successful, the people in Schwaig are banking on a longterm relationship with professionals and trainees from the region. Mechatronics engineers and managers are trained on a regular basis. On the open house day, guests were able find out about the current job openings and training opportunities. “This is the third year in a row since 2009 in which we have outdone ourselves,” reports Marufke. The export share is already 60 percent and we thus need to think carefully about further expansions. “These days, even non- European clients want us to set up production facilities in their countries.” Krauss-Maffei Automation AG, which was founded by Josef Neureder, has expanded steadily over the last 30 years. It now has a total workforce of about 180 employees, ten of whom are apprentices, at the main plant in Schwaig and the branches in Munich and Schwerin. Since 2002, the company has been a subsidiary of the KraussMaffei Group. According to Thomas Marufke, Sales and Commercial Manager, the company’s strategy has been conclusively confirmed by the fact that it was necessary to constantly increase the workforce and production area in the last three decades in order to cope with the demand for automation solutions in the industry: “As a mechanical engineering specialist, we are very successful thanks to our flexible size and the expertise of our skilled workers. We supply customers both with standard products and with customized, highly complex automation solutions. We will continue to apply this recipe for success in future as well and will market our products even more extensively throughout the world.” 1,000th large robot from Schwerin There was yet another reason to celebrate, too. Just in time for the company’s anniversary, the branch factory in Schwerin delivered its 1,000th robot. The LRX-S 350 linear robot has a payload of 35 kg and will be installed in future at a customer in the USA on a KraussMaffei CX 350-3000 injection molding machine. The plant in Schwerin was established in 2000 and started producing robots in 2001. A total of 22 employees now produce large linear robot devices in the LRX/LRX-S 250 to 1000 Series with a payload of between 25 and 100 kg, as well as side-entry robots. Along with standard “pick-and-place” tasks, these devices can also perform challenging tasks, such as inserting metal parts like contacts, rings, sockets, and plugs. However, the product portfolio also includes complete solutions for demolding injection molded parts and for separating, sorting, or packing product units (for example a cutlery set comprising a knife, fork, spoon, and serviette). 11
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