The WFL Technology Meeting 2024 as a visitor magnet

WFL welcomed over 1000 visitors to its site in Linz. Manufacturers from a wide range of industries traveled to WFL to discuss the technical possibilities for their production tasks. The trade fair visitors were impressed by the live demonstrations on machines of all sizes - from the M20 to the M150 MILLTURN. Visitors were particularly interested in the areas of measurement technology, digitalization and automation, in order to be well equipped for the future. "Complete machining is all about maximum quality, maximum flexibility, maximum efficiency, short throughput times and maximum productivity. Complex machined parts are manufactured to the tightest tolerances and with minimum clamping. In-process measurements guarantee and maintain the existing level of precision and stability. Our visitors were able to see this and many other factors that we offer at WFL for themselves over the three days of the trade fair", says CEO Norbert Jungreithmayr.

M20 MLLTURN in the focus

The M20 MILLTURN is the latest addition to the MILLTURN family and the ideal solution for users who are looking for a high-performance turning-boring-milling center. Special features include the high stability of the machine and the integrated motor spindle concept, which can handle practically any machining technology. Decades of expertise in complete machining are reflected in the form of a completely redesigned machine. Design and technology determine the lead. The range of applications for the M20 is virtually unlimited. Demanding and complex machining tasks from the aerospace, automotive, engineering and plastics industries are covered by the machine. Thanks to its outstanding flexibility, the machine is also ideal for contract manufacturers. The innovative design of the machine is particularly noteworthy. The M20 MILLTURN appears as if it has been cast from a single mold, modern, straightforward and functional. The full-surface tempered glass front has an integrated performance data display and a sliding window to the tool magazine. The unique design is rounded off by excellent ergonomics and convenient, user-friendly operation.

Great interest in automation solutions

The automation solutions from automation partner and subsidiary FRAI aroused a great deal of interest among the participants. "No matter where you look, there is a shortage of employees in every area and in every industry. This will also be the case in the coming years. That's why there's really no way around automation. Higher-level computer-guided systems are increasingly finding their way into the production halls of our end customers in order to counteract the shortage of personnel. Concepts such as the mobileCELL - the mobile robot cell - are considered an absolute novelty, enable a wide range of expansion stages and thus offer the greatest possible future security and competitiveness", says Franz Plasonig, CEO Frai Robotics Technologies. Automation solutions are becoming more complex and are increasingly being equipped with camera solutions in order to be even more flexible in production. Loading and unloading workpieces, changing clamping devices, changing grippers, etc. are already part of every good automation cell. Franz Plasonig emphasizes: "In the future, however, it should also be possible to change the cutting inserts on the tools in order to really ensure unmanned operation over a weekend. However, this is still in its infancy at the moment, but we want to develop in this direction."

myWFL Cockpit: Machine productivity at a glance

"WFL customers enjoy customized solutions. Our aim is to develop from a solution provider to a system provider. Today's requirements for complete machining are different, or rather higher. That is why we are always on the ball and strive to integrate a wide variety of technologies, measuring tasks, finish machining, gear cutting and much more into our MILLTURN complete machining centers, according to the needs of our customers. From the very beginning, our motto has been 'Clamp once - machine completely'. That is and remains our goal", explains Günther Mayr, Managing Director Sales & Technics. WFL is responding to increasingly complex machining processes and focuses not only on the machining itself, but also covers the entire process. "And by that we mean the definition of the machining process, workpiece programming, simulation, production and finally support over the entire service life of a machine. We want to play our part in maximizing productivity", says Mayr.
The machining processes in the machines are perfectly optimized at WFL. However, there are always interruptions that require operator intervention, such as measuring processes and checks. These interruptions need to be minimized in order to make the best possible use of the machine's availability and productivity. This is achieved firstly with software packages in the machine control system and secondly with additional, intelligent clamping devices and tools that automate the processes.
In addition to automation, another highlight of the technology meeting was the myWFL Cockpit production data acquisition system. It displays machine and program statuses over time, productivity and technical availability. The visualization takes place on the machine control, on the PC or on a mobile device via browser. This keeps the user perfectly always informed about the productivity of his machine. The myWFL energy consumption meter integrated in the myWFL Cockpit permanently measures and logs the machine's energy and compressed air consumption. This can also be broken down into individual tools or process steps, allowing comparisons to be made. With myWFL Condition Monitoring, the user has the option of running an idle program at cyclical intervals. Spindles and axes are moved. The program uses sensors to record the forces and vibrations and a long-term evaluation can be used to identify whether, for example, a change in the bearing or in a guide system is imminent. This helps to avoid unforeseen downtimes and to service the machine in good time.
The energy consumption meter myWFL Energy is integrated in myWFL Cockpit and records the current performance data as well as the energy and compressed air consumption per workpiece. This can also be broken down into individual tools or process steps, allowing comparisons to be made. The Condition Monitoring Cycle continuously logs the condition of the axes and spindles during a measuring run. The data is then stored on the machine control. Possible changes can be easily detected and conveniently displayed thanks to the Condition Monitoring Viewer.
With the latest tool called myWFL Health Check, the machine geometry is checked by semi-automatic measurement of the B-axis and tailstock as well as the main and counter spindle. The software also includes cycles and test equipment for measuring and logging the geometry. myWFL Health Check can be used and retrofitted on all machine types and controls, regardless of whether the machine is equipped with a pick-up magazine, a prismatic tool changer or an automatic tool control. The entire programme takes about 25 minutes. Long-term trends can be identified thanks to the integrated measurement data logging.
With myWFL you never lose track of the big picture, and you can exploit the optimisation potential for the smart factory. The software not only has a user-friendly visualisation, but also improves machine utilisation. All data in the production environment is collected and analysed to achieve higher productivity. Shorter production times and a more effective organisation of smart factory processes therefore go hand in hand. A significant advantage.