Better milling, more efficient work

When Berthold Hermle founded his screw factory and mold turning shop in 1938, he must never have imagined that his brainchild would grow into one of the leading machine builders. Under the motto "better milling," the company has been developing and producing high-quality and innovative machining centers for decades: Performance-Line and High-Performance-Line. With pallet changers and robotic systems, the specialist from Gosheim, Germany, also supports the extensive automation of the production process. To help customers with the step to Industry 4.0 and the Smart Factory, the Hermle Automation-Control-System (HACS) and the digital building blocks "Digital Production", Digital Service" and "Digital Operation" are available.

Machining centers

Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG has built up a complete portfolio of machining centers, which today virtually cover the needs of the market. 

The Performance-Line includes three models: entry level C250, type C400 for machining larger parts, and top model C650 for maximum loading table capacity and particularly large milling pieces. There is also the High-Performance-Line, with the C12 with a range of 350x440x330 mm (X/Y/Z) up to the C62 with a range of 1,200×1,300×900 mm (X/Y/Z), and the C22, C32, C42 and C52 in between. Hermle's specialists say they have no plans to develop larger machines of similar construction because mechanically it is almost impossible. That doesn't mean they are sitting still. They recently presented a new 24" touchscreen control unit for machining centers, designed for both the TNC 640 and TNC 7 from Heidenhain, or the S 840 D sl from Siemens. It can be ergonomically adapted to the user's needs, both in terms of its 17.5° inclination and its height by +/- 150 mm.

Automation

The German machine builder also offers a variety of automation solutions, allowing customers to increase productivity without the need for more staff. This is important, in a society where it is not easy to find specialized workers. When Hermle introduced pallet changers, its main aim was to make the machines and the production process in general as flexible as possible. To optimize productivity, the manufacturer also launched robotic systems, which can be combined with almost all machines in the Hermle program. Because a robot can be used for handling components, tools as well as pallets, the machines can run unmanned. Hermle offers a robot system for every application, from the RS 05-2 for small pallets and components to the RS 3 system for workpieces up to 420 kg. 

This does not mean that pallet changers are obsolete today, because there is still no alternative available, especially for handling long and heavy workpieces. While fast and flexible robots can lift pieces up to 420 kg, the PW 3000 pallet changer can be used for workpieces up to 3 tons. 

Hermle engineers went one step further by developing solutions that could be combined with different machines. The HS flex system is compatible with six machine types and equipped with one or two storage modules for up to 40 pallets. This range was expanded with the HS flex heavy for handling workpieces up to 1200 kg, compatible with four machines in the range, including, for the first time, the C 650.

Digitization

And there is more, because Hermle is also investing heavily in the development of solutions to digitize processes, enabling it to deliver everything from a single source. For example, the Hermle Automation-Control-System (HACS) calculates run times and tool usage in advance and provides an overview of system, work plans, pallets, jobs, tools and more. 

Within the so-called digital building blocks 'Digital Production', Digital Service' and 'Digital Operation', the company offers further solutions. Machine tuning with dynamic adjustment of control parameters and intelligent processing setups are part of the "Digital Operation" building block, while tool management systems (HTMC/HOTS), information management systems (HIMS) and automation control systems (HACS) are available under the heading "Digital Production. The digital building block 'Digital Service' stands for diagnosis and monitoring systems as well as remote maintenance.