Zoller Automation Days highlights new competition, upcoming road show

"We need to automate because there is a labor shortage in the market," said Zoller President Alexander Zoller.

Zoller has welcomed manufacturers from a range of industry verticals to its North American headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich., for Automation Days on Aug. 9 and 10.

The event highlighted the need to automate cutting tool management and establish more resilient, reliable processes in the face of a labor shortage that is expected to leave 2.1 million jobs unfilled by 2030.

"We need to automate because there is a labor shortage in the market," said Zoller 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, an industry-leading producer of commercial and military vertical lift aircraft headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

"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."

The event featured the theme of Automate and Success and included the company's line up of automation products, from comprehensive tool management software to the new »roboBox« system that automatically pulls, assembles, heat-shrinks and measures tools to a guaranteed accuracy within 10 microns. Also spotlighted was the »roboSet 2« that automates tool measuring and inspection by cleaning, inspecting, laser marking and loading tools autonomously.

The event included a panel discussion on initiatives to draw young people into manufacturing.

During the event, Zoller 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. Additional details, including judging criteria and submission guidelines, will be released soon.

With Automation Days concluded, the company is now preparing for a road show of its automation offerings. Next year, Zoller will offer demos of the »roboBox« at partner sites and Zoller locations across the U.S. and Canada to provide customers a first-hand look at this groundbreaking technology. More information about these events will be announced soon.

Demonstration of the »roboBox« system that automatically pulls, assembles, heat-shrinks and measures tools.