The WFL environmental management system: Taking the right steps into the future

Sustainability and environmental protection are key issues that play an increasingly important role in modern enterprise management. As an innovative company in the machine tool industry, we adopt a responsible and future-oriented approach. For us, environmental management is not only a commitment to our environment, but also an essential part of our corporate culture and our customer relationships.

The environmental objectives that WFL has set itself in line with ISO 14001:2015 are specific, measurable targets that our organisation has defined in order to improve environmental performance and fulfil our obligations within the framework of the environmental management system. These are an integral part of the continuous improvement process.

Our commitment to the environment is reflected in numerous measures that we have successfully implemented in recent years and will continue to carry out.

Measures & targets:

  • Reducing energy consumption
  • Reducing CO₂ emissions
  • Waste avoidance and reduction
  • Increasing the recycling rate
  • Reducing the use of hazardous substances
  • Improving environmental awareness
  • Promoting environmentally friendly products and services

Energy-saving alternatives exist in almost all areas of the company. In line with the principle of sustainability, WFL has already launched numerous initiatives in this regard – modernisation of the compressed air system, heating control, installation of a PV system (with a total system output of 601kWp), thermal refurbishment of the building envelopes, a comprehensive switch to LED lighting, to name just the most important ones.

In addition to the points mentioned above, e-charging stations have been installed on company premises, which are also available to our customers and suppliers as well as our employees.

 

Activities on the MILLTURN

Besides infrastructural measures, the issue of sustainability is an increasingly important aspect for our customers, which is why more and more options are being developed with the MILLTURN's own myWFL features to identify energy-saving potential (in the machining process) and thereby save costs.

myWFL Cockpit
… is an operational data acquisition tool and provides information about a wide range of machine states. Productivity, availability and progress can be visualised on the control system or on a PC to enable operators to react well in advance.

myWFL Energy
… is a multifunctional energy consumption measuring device for the power supply of the machine as a whole. Current data as well as consumption history and electrical characteristic values such as voltage, current, apparent, active and reactive power, etc. can be displayed. This provides a detailed insight to counteract higher consumption in the machining process.

myWFL ConditionMonitoring
… is a data viewer that includes a cycle for moving in the working area of the machine when idling with the NC axes of the machining slides, as well as speed profiles of the main and milling spindles. During the process, axis and spindle-specific data is continuously recorded and saved. The ConditionMonitoring Viewer can be used to select and visually compare the data of the runs on the control system and thus identify any increased friction values.

myWFL Health Check
… focuses on safety and reliability, making the overall geometric condition of a MILLTURN visible and greatly increasing efficiency. This program ensures optimum performance by checking the machine geometry. It maximises accuracy and productivity for the manufacturing processes and avoids rejects.

iControl

WFL iControl also protects the MILLTURN and helps to save energy, even during autonomous production throughout the night. Depending on the machine's equipment, up to 16 freely configurable process signals are continuously monitored. The new design contains more complex and more intelligent monitoring options, offering comprehensive safety during production. Multi-stage monitoring logics are used, which respond if the collision limit or adaptive process limit is exceeded, or if there are significant, rapid changes in force. WFL iControl allows users to develop a feel for the technological potential of the machine and tool. As a result, maximum safety and protection are guaranteed for the machine, tool and workpiece.

 

GREENSIDE

Alongside myWFL, Greenside Technologies reinforces the green mindset at WFL. To conserve resources while operating efficiently, this program is based on three main pillars.

  • Resource-optimised construction
  • Efficient operation over the entire lifespan
  • Stability and durability

Greenside Technologies focuses on saving energy by means of a dual strategy, in the form of concept-driven savings and savings through machine technology. Up to 65% of conventional energy is saved during downtimes.

Our environmental management strategy has not only helped us to reduce our environmental footprint, but it has also to find sustainable solutions that combine economic efficiency and environmental responsibility. We will consistently pursue this course in the future and work with our customers and employees to help create a more sustainable world. Because every step counts – and we take each one with conviction.

Reducing energy consumption

  • In-house power generation
  • Thermal refurbishment of company premises
  • Various internal energy-saving measures (LED lighting, compressed air leak detection, etc.)

Reducing CO₂ emissions

  • EV charging stations installed on site
  • Electricity and thermal energy from green suppliers
  • Millturn life cycle extended through retrofit 

Waste avoidance and reduction

  • Reduction of the volume of waste (reuse of packaging materials, etc.)
  • Digital (paperless) processes
  • Sensitisation/training of employees
  • Implementation of a waste management concept

Increasing the recycling rate

  • Consistent waste separation
  • Selection of recyclable materials in procurement

Reducing the use of hazardous substances

  • Substitution of hazardous substances with more environmentally friendly alternatives
  • Optimisation of storage and handling processes
  • Avoidance of critical operating materials by considering environmentally critical aspects in the product development process

Improving environmental awareness

  • Briefings by the safety officer
  • Provision of information materials
  • Involvement of employees by means of the F.A.S.T. improvement card

Promoting environmentally friendly products and services

  • Optimisation of machining processes
  • Use of energy-efficient components/technologies
  • Marketing and communicating the environmental benefits to customers
  • Environmentally relevant software solutions for MILLTURNs: MY-WFL product family (Greenside mode, condition monitoring, myEnergy, etc.)
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