Why it is important to integrate sales in your process
DMG Mori announces record order intake
Steady growth but underlying uncertainty in UK subcontract manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing technologies in the focus
Update on the German machine tools industry and its markets
parts2clean provides holistic view of component cleanliness
Digital customs tariffing made easy with new interface in Partsolutions
Innovations in standard components and hot runner systems
Strack Norma presents new components to increase efficiency in mould making
Mould venting: a different approach
Latest Articles in "Additive Manufacturing "
Desktop Metal expands global partnership with Solidcam
Stratasys to acquire Covestro’s additive manufacturing materials business
Open vs Closed Materials Systems: the dichotomy influencing the 3D printing materials market
Latest Articles in "Machining Equipment "
Precision around the machine tool meets digitization
Vollmer acquires ultrasonic deburring company
Multifunctional turning-boring-milling centre on display at IMTS
Three new gantry machines combine power and precision
Desktop Metal expands global partnership with Solidcam
Advantages of the digital machine shop
How AI makes processes more efficient
The Digital Twin in aircraft construction
Latest Articles in "Hot Runners"
New solutions for valve gate technology and networked injection moulding
Advanced hot runner solutions increase flexibility and sustainability
Husky launches second-generation control algorithm for Altanium mould controller
Smart hot-runner control improves part quality and performance
Motorsport subcontract selects ETG's Mitsubishi EDM to improve productivity
EDM control system: Smooth surface finish and connectivity included
Wire EDM catapults German manufacturer into XXL machining
Winbro relies on PP C&A for strategic outsourcing of machine assembly
Latest Articles in "Quality Control"
parts2clean provides holistic view of component cleanliness
AI-based technologies help in quality control
Automation solution for efficient and productive parts cleaning
Aerotech expands the field of view in micromachining
Latest Articles in "Machining Accessories "
How manufacturing can profit from human-robot collaboration
Leader launches vice jaws with adaptive fingers
Vollmer to present full-line range of grinding, eroding and laser machines
Studer grinding machine elevates daily grind for Mazak
Latest Articles in "Surface Treatment & Repair "
Foba presents full scope of laser marking
Laser marking for machine tools
New injection moulding Consultative Design Service closes critical gap
Protect your tools: coatings for almost every application
Cannon Ergos collaborates with Boeing
Thermoplastic composite aircraft sidewall panels made of recycled carbon fibre
Vedanta launches first low carbon aluminium from India
Plastics processors report sales growth beset by uncertainties
Collaborative project: New approach to the production of thin-walled packaging
At the Mindelheim-based company BBG, an end-to-end line for finishing glass with polyurethane (PUR) is being set up to demonstrate and test the results of a research project. The project “EKI — Engineering for AI-based Automation in Production Environments” is intended to pave the way for the intelligent adaptation of production systems to changing requirements and environmental conditions, for example in order to manufacture new variants of a product.
The system partner for the plastics processing industry BBG, is taking part in a research project to develop production automation based on artificial intelligence (AI). In total, the project partners have defined five specific use cases for which the research results will be implemented in everyday industrial practice and validated with the help of BBG's fully automated production line. Self-learning processes are to be developed for primer application during production preparation and trimming of the parting plane and sprue surface during finishing. Cloud-based formulation management, autonomous detection of the need for preventive maintenance and optimisation of resource consumption via an energy management system are further research priorities. The various tasks are scientifically supported in individual theses at the Helmut Schmidt University. The project is initially scheduled to run until 31 August 2024.
The process at BBG includes various automation modules for preparing encapsulation processes, such as component priming and flash-off. A PUR encapsulation station, consisting of a metering machine, a mould carrier system and an encapsulation mould with automated release agent application complements the line. The feeding of inserts and the removal of finished components are also handled automatically. At the end of the process chain, there are further automation modules equipped with AI-based algorithms for finishing and quality control.
The joint project is familiar territory for BBG: As early as 2020, the company presented intelligent tools for use in industry 4.0 applications and in the smart factory environment. For the company, the use of AI is the next logical step in the further development of their own product range.
The background to the research project is the increasing pressure on manufacturers. The demand for new products with a wide range of variants is contributing to this circumstances, as are demands for increased productivity, resource conservation and cost reductions. So far, the focus was mainly on individual aspects such as line modularisation, intuitive software, the improvement of mechatronic components and parameter optimisation.
The research facility being set up at BBG in Mindelheim includes a robot-equipped BBG mold carrier for automated release agent application. (Source: BBG )
The EKI research project is looking for a comprehensive solution. This is because AI and, above all, machine learning are currently giving rise to completely new automation approaches, especially for adaptive, i.e. variable, systems. These allow production processes to be created automatically and adapted to new requirements – instead of the previous manual conversion and adjustment work.
The project partners are examining how such software components can be combined into end-to-end solutions and used in as many industrial applications as possible. The creation of AI/ML algorithms therefore also contributes to testing their usability in as many machine environments as possible. Thus, a new engineering approach with open interfaces is being developed for the project, which enables the integration of ML and AI software components into different manufacturing processes. One core idea is assistance functions to help plant manufacturers quickly select, adapt and integrate AI-based automation systems.
This enables BBG to offer their customers customised, flexible and highly productive solutions.
At BBG in Mindelheim, the research results are reviewed. (Source: BBG )
BBG is an international system partner for the plastics processing industry with its own tool, machine and plant construction. In addition to end-to-end production lines, the company designs, develops and manufactures moulds for processing polyurethane (PUR), PVC, TPE and other elastomers, as well as a wide range of composite materials. This includes production processes such as PUR-CSM (PUR Composite Spray Molding), LFI (Long Fiber Injection), RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding), SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) or GMT (Glass Mat reinforced Thermoplastics), which are selected depending on the desired qualities of the finished products. The company also focuses on solutions for lightweight construction, the processing of composites and the production of fiber composite components in a large number of industries. Since 2020, the company has also been developing and building packaging machines for pharmaceutical products and food supplements.
By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.
Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.
I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planckstr. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here
Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.
In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here.
I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://support.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.
From mould manufacturer to systems partner: BBG redefines itself
Toolmaking strongest contributor in 2021 — BBG cautiously optimistic for 2022
Cookie-Manager Imprint About Media Privacy General Terms and Conditions Help Editors
Copyright © 2022 Vogel Communications Group
This portal is a brand of Vogel Communications Group. You will find our complete range of products and services on www.vogel.com
BBG; Public Domain; Brose; DMG Mori ; Qimtek; IMTS; Landesmesse Stuttgart; Deutsche Messe; Lehvoss; Cadenas; Hasco; Strack Norma; © robynmac - stock.adobe.com; Insulated Light Photography; Stratasys; Haimer; Vollmer; WFL; Zimmermann; Siemens; Fraunhofer LBF; Ewikon; Oerlikon HRS Flow; Husky; Günther; EDM Precision; NCMT; Ralf M. Haaßengier; Winbro; putilov_denis - stock.adobe.com; Pero; Aerotech; Leader Chuck International ; Yamazaki Mazak; Foba; Mobil-Mark; Protolabs; KIMW-F; Cannon Group; Business Wire; Polymerfan; Christophe Brissiaud , Collomb Mécanique