Page 56 - MTW JANUARY 2022 Digital Magazine

MANUFACTURING INNOVATION 2022

We are taking a giant leap into the

digital future: Christian Müller, Grob Group

plants for electric motors and assembly GROB machining centers for production
lines for battery and fuel cell technology systems in the automotive industry are
are part of our product range. GROB being expanded with new developments
engineers are delivering solutions for the in the F-series in order to ideally machine
technology involved in spraying engine the new, large structural and housing
components, in cutting high-strength components for electromobility with
turbine housings and machining structural these machines. Since we forged ahead
and chassis components. By developing with these new developments at a very
GROB-NET4Industry, our proprietary early stage, we are now in a position to
industrial software for the digitalization respond comprehensively to all market
and networking of production systems, requirements with the two GROB
GROB is taking a giant leap into the digital core technologies of machining and
future. electromobility. Therefore, the GROB
group already received many prestigious
Q. What are the technological awards. In 2021 e.g. GROB was honored
innovations you have showcased by ZF with the Performance Award in the
Christian Müller, recently? Any recognition category “Operational Excellence for Non-
CSO & Member of the Board, received for your outstanding Production Material” for its achievements
GROB Group achievements? in a major project for “Electric Drive with
We have come a long way on our path of Hairpin Technology.”
Q. Could you give an overview of transformation, and have made excellent
your Group? technological progress. These successes Q. What are the smart
For more than 95 years, our company are apparent in our factory buildings manufacturing practices you
has been one of the global players in worldwide. We are able to provide all follow, backed by R & D?
the development and manufacturing technologies for the production of electric Since the market launch of our application
of machines and production lines. Our motors. In the field of batteries, we have software GROB-NET4Industry in 2015,
customers include the world`s most gained extensive experience in module the product portfolio has grown to a
prestigious car manufacturers, their and pack assembly. In the future, we will total of 14 software modules that can
suppliers and many other renowned be able to offer various technologies for be used according to the needs of the
companies from various industries. With battery cell production. We see massive customer. Our modular web applications
our production plants in Mindelheim long-term potential for our company in this allow them to network and digitalize their
(Germany), Bluffton, Ohio (USA), São area. In the traditional field of conventional production processes across all plants to
Paulo (Brazil), Dalian (China) and Turin machining, we have also fully aligned make manufacturing facility even more
(Italy), and worldwide service and sales ourselves to the new vehicle components efficient. From planning to engineering
subsidiaries, we are represented around with new machine concepts. But it is to maintenance, GROB-NET4Industry
the globe. The GROB Group generates not only in the area of electromobility combines relevant modules for increasing
worldwide revenue of over 1.1 billion that we have been able to successfully productivity and offers the all-round
euros with a workforce of about 7,000 position the GROB brand. Demand for package for modern production in the
employees. Our portfolio ranges from our 4- and 5-axis universal machining Industry 4.0 era.
universal machining centers to highly- centers is also developing very positively. In addition to the universal machining
complex manufacturing systems with own In combination with our GROB automation center market, GROB-NET4Industry is
automation function through to manual systems such as part storage and robot also gaining a foothold in the systems
assembly stations and to fully-automated cells, we are continuously expanding business and will enable the digitalization
assembly lines. Furthermore, production our market position. At the same time, of smaller GROB production lines in the

52 MACHINE TOOLS WORLD JANUARY 2022 www.mtwmag.com