“The 500 hidden world market leaders 2021” is the headline of the special edition of “WirtschaftsWoche” magazine in November 2020 and presents the World Market Leader Index 2021, which is compiled once a year by the Henri B. Meier Entrepreneurial School at the University of St. Gallen and the Academy of German World Market Leaders (ADWM).

SCHUNK, the specialist for gripping systems and clamping technology from Lauffen am Neckar, has been listed amont these market leaders for the fourth time in a row. “It is a special recognition of our number one posiiton as competence leader that we were once again able to positon ourselves in the leading group of the top 500 world market leaders in the objective and transparent ranking for the entire DACH region, emphasized Chief Executive Officer of the SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG, Kristina I. Schunk. “At the same time, we take up the theme, and will further expand our market position over the years.”

Area of growth: digitalization
The “WirtschaftsWoche” also reports on how this will be feasible: In the medium term, the clamping devices and gripping systems of the technology forge are to be equipped with intelligence and thus will be able to plan and monitor processes independently. SCHUNK has already standardized its first intelligent toolholder. At the same time, SCHUNK’s own technology factory is designing intelligent grippers that can detect workpieces and plan the individually suitable gripping strategy by means of artificial intelligence autonomously. “And particularly digitalization opens up entirely new possibilities in creating industrial processes,” underlined Kristina I. Schunk. “We actively use this opportunity, because it safeguards jobs on the long term and strengthens the economic strength of Germany as a commercial location.”

World Market Leader Index
Prof. Dr. Christoph Müller, Chief Executive Officer of the UEC University Entrepreneurship Corporation gemeinnützige GmbH,is responsible for the scientific leadership of the project. The Academy of German World Market Leaders (Schwäbisch Hall) of the Minister of Economic Affairs (ret.) Dr. Walter Däring is actively involved as a collaporating partner in determining the index. Every January, the academy organizes the congress “Summit of World Market Leaders” in Schwäbisch Hall.

This year’s HERMES AWARD winner is German company SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG. The HERMES AWARD is one of the world’s most prestigious industrial technology awards, and SCHUNK a global leader in innovative gripping systems.

This year’s HERMES AWARD winner is German company SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG. The HERMES AWARD is one of the world’s most prestigious industrial technology awards, and SCHUNK a global leader in innovative gripping systems. SCHUNK is both an owner-operated German family business and a global player. The award was presented during the HANNOVER MESSE Opening Ceremony on 23 April by Germany’s Minister for Education and Research, Johanna Wanka.

“The company’s award-winning solution supports human-robot collaboration, making it a vital part of the smart factory tool kit. It is therefore a perfect fit for HANNOVER MESSE, which this year will once again play a key role in reflecting and driving the ongoing development of Industry 4.0,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler as the Deutsche Messe Managing Board member in charge of HANNOVER MESSE.

SCHUNK’s JL1 co-act gripper is an intelligent modular gripping system for human-robot collaboration that is capable of directly interacting and communicating with its human operator. The JL1’s integrated sensor systems effectively envelop the module in its own safety “bubble” by continually tracking the proximity of humans and triggering evasive action to avoid any direct human-machine contact. They also enable the module to grip, handle and assemble objects of all geometries. The module’s jaws are able to measure gripping force and have tactile sensors, so their operation is highly adaptive and responsive. The sensor constellation also includes two cameras that enable the gripper to see its surroundings in 3D and help it to detect workpieces.

These are just some of the reasons why the JL1 impressed the HERMES AWARD jury, which was headed by Dr. Wolfgang Wahlster, CEO of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). SCHUNK’s self-learning gripping system is ideally suited to highly flexible Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments where humans and robots work collaboratively at close quarters.

“Safe and barrier-free human-robot collaboration in Industry 4.0 manufacturing operations with small production runs, high component diversity and frequent retooling is only possible if every part of the manufacturing system is intelligent, right down to the end effector level. SCHUNK’s JL1 is a perfect example of a state-of-the-art, smart end effector, which is why the jury has chosen it as this year’s winning entry,” explained Dr. Wahlster.

Apart from SCHUNK, the following companies were nominated for this year’s HERMES AWARD: AGS-Verfahrenstechnik GmbH (Stade, Germany), Augumenta (Oulu, Finland), Linz Center of Mechatronics (Linz, Austria) and Noonee AG (Zurich, Switzerland). The winning and nominated products and processes are on display at the respective company stands throughout HANNOVER MESSE 2017 (24 to 28 April). In addition, detailed information on the winning all the nominated entries and companies is available at the “tech transfer – Gateway2Innovation” showcase in Hall 2. The winning and nominated entries and companies will also be honored at a special presentation given at the “tech transfer – Gateway2Innovation” showcase by Germany’s Minister for Education and Research, Johanna Wanka, and Dr. Wahlster on Monday, 24 April (11:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.).

The HRC grippers with a sensory aura are in the top five, which are nominated for the coveted industrial prize

For the second time within only three years, SCHUNK, the competence leader for gripping systems and clamping technology has achieved a nomination for the Hermes Award, one of the world’s most coveted industrial prizes. After receiving the nomination for the award in 2015

for the SCHUNK eGRIP, a web-based three-dimensional design tool for additive manufactured gripper fingers, the innovative family-owned company from Lauffen, Germany has succeeded now in getting onto the list of top five nominees for the Hermes Award again with the SCHUNK Co-act Gripper JL1, and is thus moving into the leading group for technical innovations.

An independent jury chaired by Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Wolfgang Wahlster, Chairman of the Managing Board of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), ensures the recognized high standard of the competition. SCHUNK looks forward with great excitement to April 23, 2017 when the German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the Hannover Messe, and the Federal Minister for Education, Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka will award the Hermes Award 2017. The SCHUNK Co-act Gripper JL1 is the world’s first intelligent gripping module for human/robot collaboration, which directly interacts and communicates with humans. The sensor system, which is built into the JL1, registers approaches of humans, and allows situation-dependent reactions without any contact between human and robot. As a self-learning gripping system, the HRC gripper offers optimum conditions for highly flexible handling scenarios in Industry 4.0.

With an objective of providing a value-centric product to the growing Indian manufacturing sector, lately SCHUNK Intec India Pvt Ltd introduced its latest Quick change Pallet System that promises return on investment (ROI) in less than three months.

Today’s market dynamics demand shorter product life cycles making it imperative for the manufacturing companies to invest in flexible systems and have the bandwidth to cope up with changing machining requirements. Identifying this need of the hour SCHUNK; one of the pioneers in gripping systems and clamping technology since last 70 years came out with its new offering – “VERO-E compact GSE”. Tailored especially for the Indian machine tool sector, it is a modular quick-change pallet system, which is suited for extremely fast resetting of workpieces, clamping devices and other equipment on 3, 4 and 5-axis machining centres.

Aligned to needs
Elaborating in this context, Managing Director, Satish Sadasivan, SCHUNK Intec India emphasized that the new VERO-E compact Zero point clamping technology is not a catalogue product and is mainly made to suit the requirements of the Indian machine tool builders. He added, “We are closely working with Indian machine tool manufacturers and intend to serve them better through quick changeovers on the machines they currently use. With this we plan to expand our presence in India.”

Quick change pallet systems have enormous capacity. “Now we have a system that is not only perfectly aligned but also feature and approximately two and a half times clamping force of machine belt.”

Optimization is the key
Moreover, by reducing the retooling times up to 90 percent, the system facilitates in providing optimal utilization of the machine capacity. Setting up the workpieces outside the machine in parallel to the processing time minimizes downtimes enormously contributing to cost savings. The set-up time ensures higher machine running times and better production from batch size 1. From the cost saving point of view, the VERO-E-compact GSE system is useful for producing small batch quantities and comprehensive range of workpieces. Its Turbo integration feature helps to pull-down force thereby increasing 300 percent for optimal utilization of the machine’s performance.

Reliability matters
Creating a master trend, this system is known for setting great production variability. In recent scenario, when most of the machines and technology come with a less shelf life, these solutions guarantee a larger life span and process reliability. To add on, the system is moulded with a base body and all functional components like clamping pins and slides that are made of hardened stainless steel, blending forth modules that are completely maintenance-free and hermetically sealed against dirt, chips, and coolant.

All pneumatic modules can be operated with a system pressure of 6 bars, without adhering on additional pressure intensifiers. The machines allow positioning via short taper, allowing easy connecting interface with a repeat accuracy of 0.005 mm. Its rigid clamping operation helps to avoid vibration and is equipped with a self-retained locking system. For safety and security reasons, the system operates on one consistent clamping pin size for all VERO-E compact GSE-modules and hence avoids danger, confusion or incorrect operation.

Serving one and all
Widely acknowledged by myriad industry sectors for its specialty in offering room even to the smallest machine tables, the company’s stationary clamping systems ensure the micron-precise link between the machine table and the workpiece. Whether pneumatic, hydraulic, manual or magnetic, SCHUNK is well-equipped to provide tailored fitting solutions to customers from wide-ranging industry sectors.

The working of “VEROE compact” was deftly displayed on DMG MORI’s state-of-the-art technology “DMU 65 monoBLOCK,” to its customers. The monoBLOCK series has a machine concept for every sector and every component produced is an impressive masterpiece. According to Mr. Satish Sadasivan – Managing Director, SCHUNK Intec India Pvt Ltd, DMG MORI offers very high-end machines and SCHUNK takes pride in working together to bring out a revolution in the machine industry with its products.

Customer-centric
“All our products are synonymous with good quality and speak for its performance. We are proud to build a support mechanism with a backup plan, in the case of any technical issues or break down, within the warranty period. Fit and forget is the mantra behind any SCHUNK products,” shared Satish Sadasivan – Managing Director of SCHUNK Intec India. Validating this point, General Manager – Metal Products Power Transfer Technology, Mersen India Pvt Ltd, B N Chandrashekharaiah, mentioned, “We provide Earth Return Current Units (ERCU) to Bangalore Metro. While working on such a prestigious project, downtime is the last thing we can think of. In such scenario, SCHUNK’s gripping system does wonders. Additionally, SCHUNK provides good after sales service.”

Alternately, Titan Industries Ltd began the use of SCHUNK’s product eight years ago. Since then the company has installed SCHUNK’s systems on most of its machines. “These products give excellent ROI. Within six months we can see the benefits. In other words, it is a worth investment,” noted Senior Engineer, Titan Industries Ltd, Venkat Subramanian.

Director, Abhiyant Technologies Pvt Ltd, Nagaraja BC also finds SCHUNK’s products impressive. He further added, “We strongly recommend SCHUNK products to our customers, with batch production requirements.” Agreeing to the same, Senior Manager, Production, Ace Multi Axes Systems Ltd said, “SCHUNK’s technology as well as service is very good. We have been using their products since almost a decade. We have already provided our requirements and placed order for the latest Vero-E compact Cut from the company.”

Expansion plans – Roadmap
In order to further strengthen relationship with customers and educate them on the company’s products, SCHUNK plans to put forward a training program. It will enable customers to use the company’s products efficiently. Another assurance that the company gives is to deliver proper machining of workpieces, ensuring the longevity of the products.

Image and article courtesy: SCHUNK INTEC INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED       

SCHUNK enlarges its program of 3-jaw quick-change chucks with the SCHUNK ROTA THW plus 400 offering more efficiency at medium sizes. Like all the lathe chucks of the ROTA THW plus family, the wedge bar power chuck is particularly designed for the production of small and medium-batch sizes. It is suitable for ID and OD clamping. With its optimized jaw quick-change mechanism, it ensures that CNC lathes, pick-up lathes and turn/mill centers can be converted to a new range of parts within a very short period of time. Due to the high jaw changing repeatability of < 0.02 mm, the already machined sets of chuck jaws can be used again and again.

All-rounder with a high operating and process safety
The large center through-hole with a diameter of 128 mm allows an extremely versatile use. The jaw stroke amounts to 8 mm, the clamping force to 240 kN, and the maximum speed to 3,500 RPM. The ROTA THW plus 400 is extremely flat and there remains enough space in the machine. For maximum operator safety when changing the jaws, an integrated ball mechanism ensures that the actuation key can be pulled only when the wedge bar has snapped into the base jaw. Moreover, a sophisticated lubrication system ensures that the most important guide surfaces are always optimally lubricated.

Until today it has been difficult to directly clamp on a quick-change pallet system large workpieces due to thermal dynamics, inherent stress or other difficulties in accurately mounting clamping pins for quick-change pallets. SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems provides the right solution. The SCHUNK VERO-S SPD clamping pins compensate in a range of +/- 1 mm and pave the way to efficient direct clamping.

In order to use this effect, the SCHUNK VERO-S quick-change pallet modules are briefly open for finish machining, and therefore a tension-free state is achieved. When the modules are relocked, the flexibility of the VERO-S SPD clamping pins avoids that the workpiece will deform again, and high precision results are achieved. The flexible clamping pins are available in two versions: the SCHUNK VERO-S SPD-B, which allows the compensation of +/- 1mm in one direction, and the SCHUNK VERO-S SPD-C, which compensates +/- 1 mm in diameter. The flexible clamping pins can be used with every SCHUNK VERO-S NSE plus module. As all the SCHUNK VERO-S components, the SCHUNK SPD clamping pins are also manufactured from stainless steel. They are connected with the workpiece with standard (M10) screws. The holding force amounts to 35 kN.

Direct clamping has numerous advantages
For direct workpiece clamping with the SCHUNK VERO-S, users do not need conventional clamping equipment such as clamping claws or lathe chucks with several chuck jaws. Instead, mold plates, freeform plates and other workpieces are initially surface milled at the base plate to the same level with defined tapped holes and are then equipped with clamping pins of the quick-change pallet system. The parts can be exchanged in the machine with quick-change pallet modules within a few seconds, and are immediately precisely clamped. In comparison to the conventional clamping solutions, there are no interfering contours around the edges from chuck jaws or clamps in case of a direct clamping solution, so 5-sided machining with maximum accessibility is ensured. Plus unproductive downtimes just like time-consuming set-up, retooling, aligning or determining the zero point can be eliminated from the machine consistently. Direct clamping is similarly effective, if workpieces are repeatedly modified or have to be machined under deadline. Due to the existing tapped holes the parts can be exchanged on the machine very precisely and within a very short time.

Particularly for machines with BT dual contact interfaces, SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems now offers the high-performance hydraulic expansion toolholder SCHUNK TENDO E compact in a version for simultaneous taper and face contact, which compensate for the weakness of steep taper interfaces. This allows the user to use the full performance potentials of the machine.

In the past, users who wanted to efficiently and economically machine with steep taper mountings, quickly met their tool’s limits. At an increasing speed, the spindle arbor expands and the contact surface between tool mounting and spindle is reduced. The consequences of this instability are serious: The system consisting of machine, toolholder and tool starts vibrating, the power transmission suffers, precision, and surface quality at the workpiece is lost, and tools wear out quickly. This weakness can be completely eliminated if machines with BT dual contact interface are combined with a SCHUNK TENDO E compact BT-DC hydraulic expansion toolholder. The taper and face contact system closes the gap between tool flange and end face of the machine spindle and a precise dual contact of the spindle at the taper and the end face of the machine spindle is given. At the same time, the system prevents the toolholder from drawing further back into the machine spindle, and stops motion along the Y-axis. Because of this radial rigidity and vibration strength of the whole system is maximized, and partly surpass the values of other standardized machine interfaces.

First-class quality and performance
TENDO E compact BT-DC with taper and face contact combines high clamping forces and an excellent vibration damping with an extraordinary bending and torsional strength. At an excellent machining quality and precision, the cutting parameters are increased, and in turn the machining time and costs are reduced. Comparable with a shock absorber, the world’s most powerful hydraulic expansion toolholder reliably absorbs vibrations, and provide for a quiet and exact cutting action. In heavy duty machining and drilling and reaming operations, the user benefits from an extremely high surface quality. Particularly the geometric three-dimensional precision of form and die are substantially improved. Moreover, the high run-out and repeat accuracy at the spindle interface ensures for long tool life, maximum protection of the spindle and for high process safety.

Up to 60% higher torques
At a permanent run-out accuracy of < 0.003 mm at an unclamped length of 2.5 x D, and a balancing quality of G 2.5 at 25.000 rpm, the SCHUNK TENDO E compact BT-DC with simultaneous taper and face contact seamlessly fits into the proven hydraulic expansion technology program from SCHUNK. Its clamping forces are about 20% higher than the ones of conventional hydraulic expansion toolholders. Compared with conventional hydraulic expansion toolholders, the TENDO E compact transmits up to 60% higher torques. For fast tool change, all that is needed, is an Allen key. All popular shank types, also Weldon or Whistle Notch shanks can be clamped. By using intermediate sleeves the clamping diameter can be flexibly reduced. Initially, the SCHUNK TENDO E compact with simultaneous taper and face contact interface will be available on a basis of BT 30 (Ø 20 mm). At the beginning of 2017, BT 30 (Ø 12 mm), and BT 40 (ø 12 mm, ø 20 mm) will follow.

With the SCHUNK TENDO Slim 4ax hydraulic expansion toolholder it is now possible to combine the complete outside geometry of heat shrinking mountings according to DIN 69882-8 with the proven qualities of SCHUNK hydraulic expansion technology. The slim precision mounting makes it ideal for use in series production, particularly in the automotive industry. It was particularly designed for axial operations, and shows its strength during milling close to interfering contours, countersinking, reaming and thread milling in 5-axis centers, prototype construction, and the die and mold industry. Test series prove that the

mountings with the vibration-damping properties of the hydraulic expansion technology have considerably improved the process during milling operation. The hydraulic expansion toolholder design reduces peak cutting ­amplitude of the force progression in Y-direction, which results in less deflection of the tool. By reducing the load of the cross cutter and the cutting edge, considerably longer service life can be achieved. Additionally, the user benefits from having exact gauges for holes and maximum precision at the workpiece.

Easy exchange via Plug & Work
As with every SCHUNK TENDO hydraulic expansion toolholder, the SCHUNK TENDO Slim 4ax also has permanently high run-out accuracies, perfect vibration damping, and a fast tool change with a wrench. Even narrow shape and position tolerances can be met precisely, therefore investments in high-priced peripheral devices are not required. Since the precision mounting can replace conventional heat shrinking toolholders by Plug & Work without having to reprogram the machine, the benefits can be tested in a real application. SCHUNK TENDO Slim 4ax can be used without expensive peripheral devices. The MQL-capable mounting is dirt-resistant and is extremely low-maintenance. In contrast to the heat shrinking toolholders, it has a permanently high run-out accuracy of < 0,003 mm at an unclamped length of 2.5 x D and a balance grade of G 2.5 at 25,000 rpm, the SCHUNK TENDO Slim 4ax seamlessly fits into the proven hydraulic expansion toolholder program from SCHUNK. In the first step, the mountings are available for the interfaces HSK-A63 with ø 10 mm/L1=120 mm, ø 12 mm/L1=90 mm, ø 12 mm/L1=120 mm, ø 14 mm/L1=90 mm, ø 14 mm/L1=120 mm, and ø 20 mm/L1=90 mm. Further variants with ø 6 mm bis 32 mm and L1-dimension of 90 mm, 120 mm, and 160 mm are already planned.

The manually actuated SCHUNK KONTEC KSC clamping vises are highly efficient all-rounders for raw and finished part machining. They combine high clamping forces, convenient operation, and short set-up times, and are very cost effective. Particularly for use in automated machine loading, SCHUNK further expands its standard program with the affordable SCHUNK KONTEC KSC-F single-acting clamping vises with a fixed jaw. It has quick adjustment of the clamping range, flat design and a low weight – perfect conditions for an unmanned workpiece handling on pallet systems. The three sizes KSC-F 80, KSC-F 125, KSC-F 160 are particularly designed for the common pallet sizes 320 x 320 mm, 400 x 400 mm, and 500 x 500 mm. Due to the 160° quick clamping, workpieces are clamped with a torque wrench in a second, and the vise is safely locked. Due to clamping by tension, the bending load at the base body is minimized, making the vises suitable for the use on a SCHUNK VERO-S quick-change pallet system. With reversible jaws, the vise covers enormous clamping ranges between 0 to 192 mm, 0 to 308 mm or 0 to 434 mm, depending on the unit size.

Centric clamping vises with encapsulated drive

But SCHUNK also expands the range of centric clamping vises and upgrades the program with larger vises. Beside the sizes 80 and 125, this all-rounder will be available in size 160 with a base body length 280 mm, and high clamping forces of up to 50 kN. A preloaded precision ball bearing mounted, backlash-free spindle ensures an excellent repeat accuracy of +/- 0,015 mm, and allow precise machining of the first two sides in one clamping system. The completely encapsulated drive and the integrated chip removal ensure for a particularly high process stability and minimum wear. Due to the jaw quick-change system it is possible to exchange the workpiece-specific jaws in just a few steps and cover a broad workpiece spectrum.

Wide selection of chuck jaws

The new KONTEC KSC and KSC-F clamping vises seamlessly fit into the SCHUNK modular system for highly efficient workpiece clamping. Clamping pins of the VERO-S quick-change pallet system can be directly mounted into the base body of the vise. Combined with the quick-change pallet system, they can be quickly exchanged on the machine table and at maximum repeat accuracy. The vises can be quickly equipped with different jaws from the SCHUNK standard chuck jaw program for stationary workholding, which generates a high degree of flexibility.

The intelligent jaw design of the SCHUNK UVB-HS soft chuck jaws from SCHUNK, the competence leader for gripping systems and clamping technology defines a new class of efficiency in lathe chuck technology. With a combination of overheight and angle cutting, it achieves a whole bundle of efficiency effects during finish machining of workpieces. The unusual jaw height allows for a larger clamping surface on the workpiece, which reduces deformations. Alternatively, the distance between the workpiece to the chuck face can be increased and thus accessibility can be optimized. In comparison to conventional monoblock jaws, SCHUNK UVB-HS reduces the jaw weight by up at least 20% depending on the size. This increases energy efficiency and shortens the processing time, since the lathe chuck can be accelerated and braked faster. At the same time, the reduced jaw centrifugal force allows for higher holding forces on the workpiece, which means increased process reliability.

Improved fluid dynamics
But it doesn’t stop there: Angle cutting minimizes the danger of collisions with the turret and improves the fluid dynamics during machining. At high speeds, SCHUNK UVB-HS chuck jaws lower noise emissions by up to 10 dB, which halves the level of the perceived noise. Since significantly lower cooling lubricant is swirled around the machining area, it is easier to see the machining process. This also lowers the amount of aerosols in the air when the machine is opened. The highly efficient monoblock jaws with angle cutting are part of the over 1,200 jaw types in the world’s largest standard program of chuck jaws from SCHUNK. They are available immediately for wedge bar lathe chucks with straight serration in the sizes 200, 250/260 and 315 and can be turned individually to the desired diameter.