Flexible automation solution for today and tomorrow

Better milling has always been Hermle's motto. A story that anno 2025 goes much wider than the high quality we have come to expect from the Gosheim-based manufacturer. Customers are now looking for more autonomy in their machine tools to be able to work unmanned for longer. With its latest automation solution RS Gen 2, which will soon get its baptism of fire at EMO, Hermle is responding perfectly to this demand. The combination of a six-axis robot and a warehouse that automatically and flexibly adapts to the size of workpieces, pallets, dies or grippers provides you with an automation solution that also processes your pieces of tomorrow perfectly. 

Those who took the trouble to visit Hermle's open days in Gosheim from the Netherlands were not disappointed. The showroom, filled to the brim with the latest machining technology, showed visitors what to expect by choosing Hermle. Top-quality milling machines in existing and new models. "The first three Gen 2 models will get their baptism of fire here. These are the C650, the C32 and the C42, selected for their build size and also on display at EMO. Over the next year and a half, we will be extending this DNA to all the machines in our portfolio," Chairman of the Board Franz-Xaver Bernhard hints. Visually, there is little difference to notice, that is on the inside. "The Gen 2 platform is built on four features: a modern electrical architecture, an expansion of the spindle portfolio, smarter control and better energy efficiency." 

Energy efficiency in Gen 2

And the latter is certainly welcome in the Dutch market. Geert Cox, managing director of Hermle Netherlands: "Due to the limitation in available capacity, energy efficiency is becoming an issue. With the new generation you save up to 25% of energy, thanks to new cooling systems for the spindle and machine and the integration of frequency control, among other things. This is good for the environment, but also for your wallet because at a price of 0.17 kW, you can quickly save more than 2,000 euros annually. But it is also important today for the continuity of your business. If you save energy in this way, it becomes possible to connect an additional machine and continue to grow."

Increased focus on automation

A second trend felt by everyone in the market is, of course, the scarcity of personnel. "Companies are therefore seeking refuge in automation. 30% of the solutions that leave our factories today are automated in one way or another. The biggest one? In it, a robot operated as many as 12 machines. And the share of automation solutions is still increasing," Bernhard confirms. Hermle, however, did not remain blind to the limits customers face today. "A traditional warehouse works with permanently defined compartments. We saw with our customers that this left a relatively large amount of 'air': unused space. That had to be improved. Moreover, we wanted to provide them with a solution that will still work just as efficiently in five years, even if the pieces they make are completely different from today," summarizes Kai Bacher, who succeeds Bernhard from January 1, 2026.  

Flexibility at its best

The result of that thought exercise is the RS Gen 2 robotic system. "A flexible system that can automatically configure itself to make the best use of space." To emphasize exactly how flexible, Bacher shows the last sixty different configurations sold of its predecessor, the RS system. "Those sixty variants can now be realized with one and the same system. So before investing in automation, customers no longer have to worry about where they want to go with their production. RS Gen 2 adapts perfectly to their needs. Without any additional worries for the operator: he only has to enter the height of the workpiece or the width of the pallet. The system itself calculates the most suitable free space. There is even room for multiple grippers for the robot, so that every workpiece fits inside RS Gen 2."

Superstructure RS Gen 2

The six-axis robot is the heart of the system and is permanently mounted on the platform. Due to its optimized positioning, it reaches up to three working areas, up to six rack modules, the preparation area and both laydown positions, and that at a transport weight of up to 210 kg. The six basic rack modules offer a wide range of shelving options and variants. They are flexibly adjustable in width and height. This eliminates the need for a rigid shelf arrangement. The control software, the brain of the system, takes on this work and optimizes the use of space perfectly. To switch from pallet handling to part handling, one, two or three transfer stations for transferring the pallets/drag modules are available in the workspace of the robotic system. High flexibility without limitations.

More with less

Cox is convinced that interest in RS Gen 2 will also be strong in the Netherlands. "Precisely because efficiency is key for the manufacturing industry here. These kinds of machines, with this kind of degree of automation are really solutions for the future. After all, more flexibility is synonymous with more efficiency. Customers can now process a larger volume with the same number of employees for a better cost per piece, because a large part of the handling is eliminated. Isn't that what we're all looking for?" Although the official launch will not happen until EMO, RS Gen 2 can already be ordered. "Do count on several months of delivery time for the robot. But those who want it can thus still this year greatly increase the efficiency of their production," Cox adds with a wink. RS systems already in production can also be adapted to this new standard in automation. 

Advantages RS 2 Gen at a glance:

• Compact, highly modular robotic system
• Optimal use of space at 13 or 16 sq. ft.
• Six individually configurable rack modules for highest flexibility
• Most diverse grippers, pallets, dies, carrier modules and chucks
• Operator-friendly software
• Transport weight up to 210 kg