What is the Hermle Automation Control System, and how does it work?

More and more customers are calling on their suppliers to deliver exceptional-quality parts quickly. With this ever-increasing demand, manufacturers find themselves in a precarious position. They must maintain profitability without sacrificing part quality or lead time. As automated systems become more commonplace in factories to keep up with customer demand, the Hermle Automation Control System stands superior. Beginning with their machining centres and milling machines in the 1990s, Hermle’s automation control system has evolved to include automated pallet changers, handling systems, and robot systems. But what exactly does this automation control system do, and how can it be used to benefit your company?

What is the Hermle Automation Control System?

Today’s digital age (in manufacturing and industry, known as Industry 4.0) calls for the use of computers, software, and data to make monotonous and tedious tasks easier. When it comes to manufacturing, the Hermle Automation Control System (HACS) does just that. HACS is the combination of software and hardware developed by Hermle that allows for the control of robot systems adapted to their machining centres.

These versatile robot systems can automatically conduct time-consuming tasks like pallet changes or workpiece changes. This enables your employees to focus on more pertinent tasks and increase their productivity. Using HACS not only decreases the downtime of machining centres, thus saving money, but also increases production output and reduces lead time for production orders.

How does HACS work?

Intuitive user interface

HACS comes with an intuitive, integrated touch panel that can be used to plan and control job sequences, work plans, and operator assignments. With HACS Connect, all this information can be viewed anytime, anywhere. New, semi-skilled, and tenured operators alike can all use this touch panel due to its streamlined, easy-to-understand user interface and graphics. While production control managers can use HACS to schedule and allocate raw materials and view forecasts of runtime and tooling, engineers can use HACS to create new programs and troubleshoot errors in a machine’s operation.

Autonomous operation

As industries shift to more tech-centric and data-driven business models, robotics plays a larger role in manufacturing globally. These robots operate autonomously and are programmed to handle labour-intensive tasks that were generally reserved for humans. The HACS is no different. The physical robot systems, handling systems, and pallet changers controlled by HACS can all be retrofitted to a single Hermle machine – or a whole line of machines. Once the physical system and HACS have been programmed, a human touch is seldom required. These 4-axis pallet changers and handling systems, made from premium quality precision components, read the assigned program and begin working autonomously.

Machine-learning capability

In addition to HACS satisfying the role of job-planning software, it can autonomously control all elements of its pallet changer system, handling system, or robot system. It is intelligent enough to optimise and correct itself should errors occur during its operation, plus HACS can change the order of job priorities based on the resources currently allocated to it. Additionally, the machining centre and HACS will skip over jobs if resources have not been properly allocated, move to a new job, and continue to operate. Tooling changeover and set-up happen in tandem, leading to less machine downtime, increased production capacity, and shorter lead times.

Related: Robots help to make robots

In summary: what is the Hermle Automation Control System and how does it work?

The Hermle Automation Control System is an innovative solution to a host of challenges manufacturers may face. From overcoming labour shortages to long lead times, HACS can do it all. As more manufacturers around the world integrate the use of robotics and data to drive their production, HACS stands out as the superior choice when deciding how to proceed with automation in a manufacturing facility. With HACS, its machine-learning capability and fully autonomous operation are unmatched.

Learn more about the benefits of automation or contact a Kingsbury sales representative today to find out how a Hermle Automation Control System can benefit your company.