The CHIRON Group OPEN HOUSE is an established platform for innovation and communication for the entire industry. And this year – finally – the event was once again able to impress expert visitors from around the world in person. From 11 to 13 May, around 1,200 visitors were able to see innovate solutions live in action, in the German town of Tuttlingen, get involved in technical discussions and take away plenty of new ideas and inspiration for their manufacturing practice – in the true spirit of „Performance meets Precision“.

Automation expertise squared

GREIDENWEIS, a CHIRON Group company since January 2022, brings to the table many years of experience and comprehensive expertise in the integration of various technical solutions into automated assembly and production lines. The OPEN HOUSE was an opportunity to prove – and quite successfully – what „Automation expertise squared“ looks like in practice, for even more efficient machining, assembly and production processes. The new 715 Series, live in action, was a real visitor magnet. Alongside the well-known benefits of the MT technology, the mill-turn center with integrated automation offers the flexibility to quickly and easily switch between bar stock and chuck machining.

Product innovations and a new technology

Another highlight of the event were the new CHIRON Group machining centers which – at least, regarding the size of the components – couldn't be more different from one another. For everything „small" the Micro5 of the brand FACTORY5 and for everything „big" the 22, 25 and 28 Series. From watch dials and surgical instruments to structural components and e-motor housings – the CHIRON Group has the perfect solution for every workpiece.

The CHIRON Group is offering a new solution, combining friction-stir welding and milling technology in one machining center. The technology package for friction-stir welding perfectly complements the future-ready machining centers, so we’ll be able to offer our customers even better optimized and more varied turnkey solutions in the future.

On track with sustainability

The AM Cube 3D metal printer is the only CHIRON Group product which doesn't remove any material, rather it adds to it with laser metal deposition (LMD), with powder, wire or both in combination. The technology is relatively new in the company, but has nonetheless matured further with experience and the range of applications has broadened to include, for example, repairing forged cutting rings. In the „reFORM" workshop, a good 30 participants were able to get a better understanding of the potential and capabilities of the process, which results in a tripling of the service life compared to the current repair processes.

Those who were interested in giving their machining center a second life through a full or partial refurbishment or retooling found themselves in good hands in the Services and Refurbishment area. The colleagues there showcased the many options for increasing efficiency and extending the lifecycle of a CHIRON or STAMA machining center.

The topic of sustainability is consistently at the forefront of the way all the brands of the CHIRON Group work and innovate, and, of course, was at the heart of the OPEN HOUSE 2022. Not only will the company's manufacturing and assembly processes be climate-neutral by the end of 2022, the first customer feedback confirms that the CHIRON Group is on the right track with its strategy.

Technology partners – working together for improved quality and productivity

More than 30 partner of the CHIRON Group used the opportunity of the OPEN HOUSE to engage the visitors at their stands, showcasing their new products and solutions along the entire value chain.

For example, true to the motto „Better together – better digital“, the CHIRON Group has begun work on two digital solutions for improved efficiency in manufacturing as part of joint projects. The CHIRON Group and ZOLLER are developing a system for automated tool handling and tool changing. By completely integrating the tool model data into ProtectLine, the team has created a highly efficient process for preventive collision protection – ensuring a definitive win for productivity.

Cooling lubricant is a further guarantee of optimum machining results. To keep the emulsion just right and supply it continuously to machines, the CHIRON Group is collaborating with MOTOREX. The intelligent coolant management system created by the Swiss lubricant specialist ensures continuous monitoring, dispensing, and maintenance. As the system is integrated into the ConditionLine automatic state monitoring, all relevant values can be seen in real time.

Quotes

„The high quality of the discussions and the joyous atmosphere after a two-year-long enforced break, once again showed us how important and essential personal, face-to-face contact is and how valued our established OPEN HOUSE is“ Bernd Hilgarth, CSO of the CHIRON Group, sums up. „We're already looking forward to seeing each other again at the next calender highlight, the AMB 2022 in September.“

„We received so much positive feedback from customers, partners and suppliers on the many new innovations and experiences at OPEN HOUSE. It shows that the CHIRON Group and the product portfolio has the right answers to current and future questions and demands“ Carsten Liske, CEO of the CHIRON Group, summarizes his thoughts on this year's Open House.