IMA Schelling is putting digitalisation front and centre
Modular, networked, tried and tested
What's hardware without software? State-of-the art production systems meet every requirement in terms of precision and efficiency. But when it comes to using their technical potential in day-to-day operations, suitable software solutions are also essential. IMA Schelling offers the right systems to fit these needs.
It all comes down to system integration. Many companies don't think big enough when designing software, which leads to island solutions that pose issues in terms of integration. When developing its digital solution aimi, IMA Schelling Group took a software landscape approach right from the start to create a homogeneous software solution for all machines and for controlling entire plants. The aimi.DO and aimi.THINK products now have a very successful track record in production settings, where they serve as integral machine and system control elements.
Homogeneous software platform with a clear layout
aimi.DO works directly on the machine, which takes care of the actual machine control. IMA Schelling has now integrated the software in several machine types so it can be used in both series and highly flexible batch size 1 production. aimi.DO is already in use for various processes, including edging on the Novimat and Combima, drilling technology with the IMAGIC Flex and IMAGIC L1 and high-performance cutting on the hl 1.
Meanwhile, aimi.THINK is becoming a big player in practical operation. The product brings intelligent planning, optimisation and production control services together to create a package covering everything from order management and the manufacturing execution system (MES) through to optimisation and real-time transparency. In addition to visualising the process – including all the steps prior to and during production – aimi.THINK enables complete traceability of each individual order.
Customers benefit from a homogeneous software platform with a clear layout. A consistent control logic simplifies operation, reduces interfaces and increases transparency across the board in production. The products are continually evolving and can be flexibly adapted to suit different machines, system concepts and production types.
Making efficient use of boards
Wood is a valuable natural resource, and one particular challenge when working with wood is maximising efficiency. IMA Schelling is creating the conditions for this by offering version 8 of its upgraded cutting pattern optimisation software: HPO – high-performance optimisation. This ensures that up to 98% of a board is used while also minimising sawing times.
If there are conflicts between the target parameters of material utilisation and speed, the system calculates a number of potential solutions and displays them as a graphic. The user can then select the version that works best for them. Additional aspects included in the program from version 8 onward include a remainder maximisation feature that ensures remainders are ideally sized for further use and a front editor that makes the process of entering fronts with a consistent grain pattern much simpler. An update is now available to bring existing versions in line with the new HPO-8 version.
Taking cybersecurity into account throughout the life cycle
The software experts at IMA Schelling know the requirements around wood processing inside out and are optimising their systems for use in networked production systems in the furniture and component industry. In addition to functional upgrades, this also includes giving machines and plants control and software updates in response to cyber-threat scenarios. The new EU Machinery Regulation and the Cyber Resilience Act are set to make these and other initiatives a manufacturer obligation from 2027 – and IMA Schelling is already thinking in terms of cybersecurity today.