03/29/2018

Fit for the digital future: HOMAG relies on a new generation of machines and strategic partnerships

HOMAG makes its mark in the industry at HOLZ-HANDWERK

The new "HOMAG Digital Tower" made its first appearance at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany. HOMAG is now presenting it at XYLEXPO — with new software solutions for the transition to the digital future

Watch our trade fair report video now!

Live in action: The first autonomous workshop concept

Impressions of the fair: HOMAG at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2018

Impressions of the fair: HOMAG at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2018

Impressions of the fair: HOMAG at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2018

intelliDivide: the new, cloud-based optimization software features significantly higher computing capacities and can swiftly provide several alternative optimization results.

Partnership with KUKA

Partnership with Grenzebach

At the HOLZ-HANDWERK trade fair in Nuremberg, HOMAG appeared under its new company image for the first time — including a new logo, a new look and a new modern machine design. This is helping HOMAG to make digitalization and the topic of Industry 4.0 even more tangible with suitable solutions for trade and manufacturing companies. Thanks to two strategic partnerships — Kuka and Grenzebach — there were also developments in automation expertise.

On a technology platform in Hall 10.0 measuring just under 1800 m², HOMAG demonstrated technical innovations and solutions. Their exhibit included 30 machines and cells live in action, all of which are tapio-ready, as well as new, digital products, customized software, and completely new services from the global service network.

"Design meets digital": HOMAG gives a face to the digital future

In line with the motto "Design meets digital", HOMAG has designed all the machines to be even more intuitive and unique for users. Operating the machine will become a unique experience thanks to the progressive, function-oriented design, and the innovative power of the operating system used by the machine will become even more apparent. HOMAG has also given the product names a clearer structure: from now on, the name of each machine will clearly state its function. For example, visitors at HOLZ-HANDWERK can find HOMAG edge banding machines under the name EDGETEQ, and machines using saw technology are all now named SAWTEQ.

"'Design meets digital' is the big topic that's driving us forward at the moment.
With our new image, we're giving our digitalization offensive a new appearance. Our new look makes our intention clear for the customer — we are safely moving towards the digital future together with the customer."
Andreas Denker, HOMAG Executive Vice President Global Sales & Marketing

New solutions for customers: HOMAG enters into two strategic partnerships

At the HOLZ-HANDWERK fair in Nuremberg HOMAG announced the signing of two new strategic partnerships.

• HOMAG & KUKA: The companies have agreed intensive cooperation on global development projects. Two such projects have already been launched in China and Germany. The aim of the partnership is to join forces in developing smart robot solutions and selling them to the global woodworking market.
• HOMAG & the Grenzebach Group: The Grenzebach Group is a leading specialist for the automation of industrial processes. The companies have formed a strategic partnership, agreeing intensive cooperation in the field of automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

“We are always on the lookout for partners to complement our solutions - and only the best ones in the market. We are currently affiliated with two other partners, Grenzebach, an experienced manufacturer of automated guided vehicles and KUKA for automation and robotic solutions. This allows our customers to access the best solutions available on the market.”
Pekka Paasivaara, CEO HOMAG Group AG

Top topic of the trade fair: The "autonomous cell" as the first autonomous workshop concept

The first fully autonomous workshop was live in action at the HOLZ-HANDWERK trade fair. It consists of two fully-automated cells. connected by autonomous helpers: automated guided vehicles (AGV) are used to organize all of the parts logistics tasks, along with a six-axis robot for handling parts. The "autonomous cell" is able to take full advantage of its flexibility in trade as well as in the industry, and opens up new options for production.

• CELL 1: high-tech edging with integrated workpiece handling
  The EDGETEQ S-500 edge banding machine offers maximum flexibility when combined with the LOOPTEQ O-600 return conveyor. The return conveyor and the edge banding machine are interconnected thanks to the woodFlex cell control system.
• CELL 2: robot management for the vertical CNC processing machine
  Almost 100% uptime, a high degree of repeat accuracy and precise part handling:A 6-axis robot undertook automated parts handling for the DRILLTEQ V-500 vertical processing system.
• SOFTWARE: the ControllerMES production control system from HOMAG is the key to interconnected communication in the cell. It generally communicates with the individual control system of the automated edge cell and the CNC robot cell, as well as with the control system for the AGV.

On the way to the digital future: New digital solutions

Since LIGNA 2017, tapio has created an open ecosystem for the entire woodworking industry. tapio plays a neutral role in this process and offers a technological, digital base for partners. HOMAG is currently working hard with experts at tapio on new features and apps which should allow the user to get even more out of its production.
The first result was demonstrated live at HOLZ-HANDWERK: intelliDivide. The "Software as a Service" optimization based on tapio provides users of HOMAG panel dividing saws with significantly higher computing capacity and can therefore provide several variants of optimization results in a short space of time. This means that with intelliDivide, the operator is able to choose from a variety of options, including a result based purely on reducing waste, a result based on the shortest machine run time or on the most simple handling, perfectly adapted to the relevant requirements.

And action! Experience HOLZ-HANDWERK digitally

You can still see our trade fair highlights live in action now that HOLZ-HANDWERK is over: several film crews put our innovations under the spotlight and questioned our experts on the highlights. You can see all the videos on our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/homaggroup