Machine tools for the digital age

UNITED GRINDING has introduced its new Customer Oriented REvolution (CORE) system to meet the demands of digital manufacturing. The new hardware and software architecture was developed by the group’s specialists and premiered at the recent EMO 2021 exhibition in Milan.

The new system opens up possibilities for networking, controlling and monitoring the production process and thus also for process optimisation. CORE also brings the user experience of operators into the world of the smartphone generation. “The digital future begins with CORE,” stresses CEO Stephan Nell.

When the public discussion about Industry 4.0 intensified a few years ago, the UNITED GRINDING Group decided to invest more in the digital future together as a group — not only in the future of the group but above all the future of its customers. It is here that the development of C.O.R.E. began. The aim and central focus was to ensure increasing connectivity, such as the exchange of data between people, machines and the production environment, to create the basis for the operation of modern IoT applications. In addition, an intuitive operation was to be enabled to make the work easier for machine setters, operators, and maintenance staff.

Reminiscent of a smartphone, the 24-inch full HD multitouch display identifies the next-generation machine tools equipped with the new CORE technology. Navigation works like a smartphone, using ‘touch’ and ‘swipe’. Customers can also configure the user interface according to their requirements and arrange the most important functions and operating displays according to personal preferences, similar to the App overview on a smartphone. With a new access system that works via a personalised RFID chip, the individual user profile is automatically loaded. This not only makes it easier to log in and out of the machine, but it is also significantly more secure. When it comes to reducing complexity, it is also noticeable that the panel has virtually no keys. There is a prominent rotary switch for feed rate override, allowing the axes to be regulated with a simple turn.

“There were also developments behind the machine enclosure,” stresses Christoph Plüss, CTO of the UNITED GRINDING Group. The full operating system is installed on an industrial PC. It serves as an IoT gateway and is home to all software applications. CORE OS is also compatible with all CNC controls used at UNITED GRINDING.

The new technology opens up opportunities for connectivity. Not only can all machines with CORE technology be networked, but also third-party systems via implemented interfaces such as umati. This opens direct access to UNITED GRINDING Digital Solutions’ offerings on the machine — from remote service to the service monitor and production monitor. For example, support from the Group’s Customer Care Team can be requested directly at the CORE panel. A chat feature ensures fast and easy support, and the integrated front camera even enables video calls.