Grinding Symposium 2019: The global stage for grinding

Innovation for the right reason is key to why and how machine tehcnology builders do things. However, innovation is not static; it is constantly alive and changing. This resonated during the recently concluded Grinding Symposium held in Thun, Switzerland. The anticipation around the Grinding Symposium was very much about what trends will be prominent, what end products might be showcased, and the Keynotes that will take place and shape how we think about the coming year for grinding technology.

Since this was International Metalworking News for Asia's first Grinding Symposium there was a sense of excitement on how United Grinding Group will present networked production, machine learning in the production process, and intelligent workpiece. Looking back at the symposium which concluded in May 2019, there is likely little argument how the mentioned trends suite the everyday use and how they were related to precision and grinding technology.

Focus on exchange

Over 1500 international visitors experienced new technologies from precision machining and current trends in the manufacturing industry at the Grinding Symposium held by the UNITED GRINDING Group. Customers, experts and company representatives used the opportunity for one-on-one conversations.

Which advantages do digital solutions bring production machine operators? How must user interfaces be designed, to enable ideal machine operation? And what role can additive manufacturing play in machine construction?

These questions were the focus of the so-called FutureLAB at the Grinding Symposium. Technology presentations and lectures as well as the presentation of partner companies and suppliers were other focal points of the conference, organised by the UNITED GRINDING Group with great success. Over 1500 visitors from all over the world, including customers of the Group and international trade journalists, attended the three-day event in Thun, Switzerland.

The manufacturer of precision machines for grinding, eroding, lasering and combination machining invited guests to the Grinding Symposium for the fourth time since 2004. Traditionally, the focus of the Symposium is on metalworking technologies as well as general topics of the manufacturing industry. The FutureLAB was part of the Symposium for the first time in 2019.

"Our aim in presenting these future technologies is to create a dialog with our customers and to discover more about their individual expectations and requirements", explains Chief Technology Officer Christoph Plüss.

From production and research

The 16 lectures given at the Symposium by internationally renowned experts from science and practice covered a broad range of topics. In addition to the opportunities and challenges in the cooperation of human and machine or the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the manufacturing industry, there were also practical production topics, such as practical experiences with the innovative WireDress® dressing technology from the UNITED GRINDING Group.

In the 13 technology presentations and the Customer Care presentation visitors were able to experience the latest machines and solutions of the eight company brands – from the MÄGERLE MFP 30, a world innovation for machining aircraft engine blades, to the European premiere of the STUDER S31 for machining very long workpieces; from the extensive services offered by the Group's Customer Care department through to the production of ultra-hard tools using laser on an EWAG LASER LINE ULTRA, which was presented at the Symposium in a webshop solution in cooperation with a customer. Experts from the UNITED GRINDING Group presented the machines and applications to visitors alternating between German, English, French and Italian.

The technology presentations were arranged in a large circle in the halls of Thun Expo. In the center of this circle was a large coffee bar, which was used by visitors from all over the world for lively discussions. Because in addition to the extensive information provided, exchange between the Group, its customers and international experts was at the center of the event. The evening events, which took place in the nearby Kursaal in Bern, also provided an opportunity for exchange. While coming together to eat, drink and enjoy an exceptional entertainment program, the participants entered into conversation, crossing national and language boundaries.

"The Grinding Symposium and the evening events in particular are also a thank you to our customers – for their trust, their loyalty and their suggestions", emphasised CEO Stephan Nell.

Finally, Grinding Symposium is indeed a gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of grinding technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies— the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

The United Grinding Group, which is comprised of: MÄGERLE, BLOHM, JUNG, Fritz STUDER AG, SCHAUDT, MIKROSA, WALTER and EWAG AG are driven by a common goal – to operate as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is a goal that has deep rewards for everyone – its customers, employees, suppliers and global manufacturing as a whole.