automatica—a shoulder check
From June 27 to 30, 2023, Messe München will bring together what belongs together: LASER World of PHOTONICS and automatica, the leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, will be held together for the first time. Thomas Fehn, Managing Director at TRUMPF with responsibility for global service and sales in laser technology, sees enormous potential for the future in combining the two worlds
Is the co-location of LASER World of PHOTONICS and automatica interesting for TRUMPF?
Thomas Fehn: The fact that the two trade fairs are being held simultaneously is very interesting for us. It offers fascinating approaches and possibilities for TRUMPF. In Munich we will meet the integrators of our lasers—in other words, our direct customers—and can talk directly with the end users of our lasers and optics.
What are TRUMPF’s expectations?
Fehn: The co-location offers an opportunity to draw automatica visitors’ attention to our laser technology. We will also meet with our partners from the field of automation engineering. As a result, we will reach a broader and for us highly relevant audience. Specifically, we expect to be able to discuss with potential customers the automation of manufacturing processes beyond laser applications.
What role does the combination of photonics and automation play at TRUMPF?
Fehn: The combination of these two worlds will play a key role for us in the future. While photonics is the driving force behind many industrial applications, automation ensures the necessary degree of productivity. Automation is a major trend among our customers in the area of medical engineering, for example. But automated processes are also the key to economic success in the fields of automotive and e-mobility. TRUMPF is specifically extending its product range with optics and sensor solutions, the use of artificial intelligence methods and products for controlling and monitoring processes in 24/7 manufacturing environments. To do this, we work very closely together with our customers and partners in the process automation industries. A current collaboration in medical engineering is also very cutting-edge for us: manufacturers are combining our laser systems with cobots in their production processes. These robots can work together with people without the need for a protective housing. In this process, they have the task of loading and unloading the laser systems with components. This eliminates monotonous and physically demanding movements for the machine operators—and they can concentrate on other tasks.
