Future-Proof robotics solutions

WITH THE IMA SCHELLING
ROBOT TEST STAND

Handling robots have become nigh-on indispensable in fully automated furniture manufacturing. IMA Schelling is also noticing growing demand. Robots have been a fixed component in a variety of manufacturing facilities since 2014. More than 150 robots have already been successfully supplied and put into operation since then. “We are receiving more and more requests for custom solutions employing robots,” explains Christoph Geiger, IMA Schelling’s Chief Operating Officer. “Many customers are expanding their product portfolios and are keen to use new materials or to manufacture new products on their existing systems. With our robot test stand we can check whether this is actually possible and what conversion measures might be needed – and all without loss of production for the customer.” IMA Schelling installed a robot test stand in 2019 so that such tests could be carried out quickly and easily. The stand consists of a 6-axis robot on a linear axis, a sorting rack, a trolley and a stacking position.

In addition to testing custom solutions and customer requests, the robot cell is also useful for the new and further development of handling applications, the long-term testing of sensors and the training of employees and customers. The robotics team is currently developing and optimising load-bearing capabilities for various applications, testing new sensors/actuators and – in cooperation with aimi, IMA Schelling’s new software landscape – revising robot software and communication interfaces.

TRAINING FACTORY FOUNDED FOR THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY

Training qualified workers and securing the long-term future of the furniture industry – this is the objective of the training factory founded on 8th July 2021 by the Commercial Vocational Training Network “BANG” (“Berufliches Ausbildungsnetzwerk im Gewer- bebereich”) in Löhne. The training centre, which will be used by multiple companies, will offer space for state-of-the-art production lines and training rooms across two floors with a total area of approx. 2,800 m2. 200 interested trainees, apprentices and re trainees in six profes- sional fields will commence their training every year, starting from autumn 2022. The cost of realising the new initiative was estima- ted at nine million euros. The ambitious project of the North Rhine-Westphalian furniture associations is financially sponsored by the state of North Rhi- ne-Westphalia, the Herford district and numerous companies. IMA Schelling is among these sponsors and plans to provide the training factory with an fh 4, a Novimat Compact and a BIMA Cx40.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR NEIGHBOURWOOD. WE DID!
OPEN HOUSE 2021 - REVIEW

Digitalisation, technical innovations and custom solu- tions were the main themes of the IMA Schelling Open House 2021 in May. Although held exclusively online due to the pandemic, the event – with its live sessions and expert panels – was a great success. More than 250 different customers from around the world used the five days to find out more about the IMA Schelling Group’s product innovations through presentations, virtual company tours and personal discussions.

By far the most popular were the live sessions about the technical innovations. In addition to the new batch-size-1 drilling machine IMAGIC L1 and a fully automatic edge handling system, the highly flexible machine concept hl 1 for high-performance cutting, a new insertion system for edge processing and an au- tomated saw-robot concept were presented for the first time. The latter innovations have been integrated into several customer projects and have also been sold since then.

“Because it was online, the event allowed many inter- national industry professionals to attend who would otherwise have been unable to,” says Andreas Bischoff, CSO at IMA Schelling. Wolfgang Rohner, CEO of the IMA Schelling Group, adds: “We are more than hap- py with how things went and the result. Even though it was a purely digital event, the intensity and level of professional exchange were very high. Having said that, we are delighted that we can now sit around a table in-person with our customers again. You simply can’t beat a face-to-face conversation.”

Participants also loved the event. “We were really im- pressed by the event and NeighbourWood! It was very exciting and informative. IMA Schelling has achieved something amazing there,” confirms an enthusiastic Patrik Riedi, Head of Machine Shop at the Swiss com- pany JUTZLER AG.

 

ONE GROUP – ONE CHANNEL: IMA SCHELLING BUNDLES ITS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn – social media is becoming increa- singly important in the B2B field. This is also demonstrated by the number of followers the IMA Schelling Group has gained on its social media channels. To strengthen its presence as a single group of companies and to avoid duplicate content, the company has merged the German and Austrian channels as far as possible. This development is also accompanied by a change in thematic focus. While the emphasis until now has been on human resources, in future more space will be dedicated to IMA Schelling’s products, innovations and solution competence.

EVEN CLOSER TO OUR CUSTOMERS – WITH NEW SUBSIDIARIES IN LITHUANIA, SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND

Speed, efficiency and expertise are the key prerequisites for excel- lent customer service. To provide that without restrictions for our customers in the growth markets of Lithuania, Sweden and Swit- zerland, the IMA Schelling Group opened new service subsidiaries in those three countries earlier this year. The new branches deal with customer service, the acquisition of replacement parts and the maintenance of machines and facilities. Avoiding bureaucratic obstacles in cross-border transport facilitates installation work and significantly shortens response times to service requests. “With our own expert staff based locally, we can provide even better support for our customers, especially with complex facili- ties,” emphasises Maximilian Lehner, Sales Director & Managing Partner at the IMA Schelling Group, which is now – with a total of 16 sales, service and production locations – close to its customers around the world.

NEWS ORDERS

STIEGELMEYER INVESTS IN FULLY INTEGRATED PLANT

The leading German manufacturer of medical beds and furniture from Herford is converting its production in Nordhausen and will soon be ma- nufacturing fully automated. In addition to a final assembly line from Priess & Horstmann, Stiegel- meyer is investing in a cutting, edging, milling and drilling line and a CNC centre from IMA Schelling. The cutting line will be delivered in November of this year, the other components will follow in the course of next year.

SECOND CONSTRUCTION
STAGE FOR BRAZIL

The dismantling furniture manufacturer Unicasa Moveis is expanding its highly flexible produc- tion facility in Bento Goncalves. IMA Schelling has already been commissioned with the area warehouse and cutting line, which are currently under construction. The delivery of the second construction stage, which has now been ordered and includes a rake buffer and edging circuit with two Novimats, will follow in January 2023.

WM88 INVESTS IN PERFORMANCE.ONE

The French kitchen furniture manufacturer WM88 expands its production with another high flexible Performance.one solution for worktop and front production. A Novimat Concept with automatic infeed and stop system, PUR edging and high-per- formance workpiece return with buffer systems before and behind is the heart of the new work cell.

 

SOLUTION - THE FUTURE MAGAZINE

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