INTERVIEW – DMG MORI HEITEC

Automation is a key pillar of the DMG MORI strategy for the future. One in every four new machines is already automated or ready for automation. DMG MORI strengthened its automation expertise in November 2017 by starting a joint venture with HEITEC AG. We spoke with the two managing directors of the new DMG MORI HEITEC GmbH in Erlangen, Markus Rehm and Kai Lenfert, about the start-up phase and the company’s future ambitions, requirements and goals.

Digitisation has been the hot topic over the last few months, with automation technologies also reporting record figures. Do you see a direct connection here?

In addition to information and production technologies, process automation and digitisation are two sides of the same coin. As a cross-sectoral topic, automation has therefore taken on a fundamentally key role. This applies to complexity and cost effectiveness of production and it is also growing in relevance due to the increasing shortage of skilled labor.

What role does DMG MORI HEITEC play in these interlinked requirements? 

DMG MORI HEITEC GmbH acts as the automation partner for the DMG MORI production plants. The interplay of the engineering competence at the plants and DMG MORI HEITEC’s automation expertise means that customers receive an integral and reliable solution: from engineering, tooling and NC programs right through to integrated automation, all from a single source.

Why this focus on workpiece handling?

On the one hand, DMG MORI already has solutions for pallet handling, as do other established partner companies. On the other, in the field of robotic automation, we will in future also be offering solutions for combined workpiece and pallet handling.

What principal arguments will DMG MORI HEITEC use to establish itself on the market?

The digital twin is the virtual image of the entire kinematic machine and a real-time automation model. The actual motion sequences can be viewed, from acceleration through to braking. This makes it possible
to commission the entire automation system virtually in advance, reducing installation time on site by 80 percent, as was described in the Leistritz reference project.

How do you see future developments?

This new holistic view of the process will certainly constitute a greater challenge for us as a supplier. In future, production processes at the customer and automation will form one entity. We see this development above all as our chance to further differentiate our company by offering complementary (digital) services.

"Everything from a single source: We are now able to offer our customers a reliable turnkey solution – from engineering to fixtures, tooling, NC programs and on through to integrated automation."

Markus Rehm - Managing Director of DMG MORI HEITEC GmbH