ZOLLER Automation Days highlights technology that optimizes and automates cutting tool processes

ZOLLER Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., welcomed manufacturing professionals from numerous industries to its North American headquarters for Automation Days on Aug. 9 and 10.

Visitors saw the company’s product offerings that automate cutting tool management and establish more reliable processes.

"We need to automate because there is a labour shortage in the market," said ZOLLER Inc. President Alexander Zoller. "The name of the game is ‘How can I produce more parts in a short amount of time for less cost and higher quality?’"

That message was echoed by Automation Days speakers, including Peter Cockburn, principal engineer – manufacturing innovation at Bell, a producer of commercial and military vertical lift aircraft headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Bell integrates ZOLLER’s automation technology into its factories to standardize and optimize toolroom processes.

"The biggest challenge that we have as a manufacturing company is talent—obtaining talent, training talent, and retaining talent," Cockburn said. "Automation helps with that so that we can run 24-7 as needed and utilize our skilled workforce in better locations."

Automation Days displayed the company’s automation solutions, which include comprehensive tool management software; the »roboBox« system that automatically pulls, assembles, heat-shrinks, and measures tools to a guaranteed accuracy within 10 µm; and the »roboSet 2« that automates tool measuring and inspection by cleaning, inspecting, laser marking, and loading tools autonomously.

In addition to demos and presentations, Automation Days included a panel discussion on initiatives to draw young people into manufacturing.

The company also announced the launch of its Toolroom of the Year competition, which seeks to find the most connected, high-tech toolroom in North America. The winner will be announced at IMTS 2024 and will win a trip to ZOLLER's Smart Factory in Pleidelsheim, Germany.