Process optimizations across the entire spectrum

The approximately 600 visitors from domestic and international locations showed great interest in the practical lectures. (Images: Tebis AG)

Visitors were also very interested in the themed booths. The new concept of the house fair divided them into functional... (Images: Tebis AG)

...and industry associations. (Images: Tebis AG)

Partners from the fields of machine tools, tools, and digitization systems presented processes that were successfully implemented together with Tebis. (Images: Tebis AG)

Tebis hosted the 14th Open House at the company headquarters in Martinsried near Munich. (Pictures: Tebis AG)

On June 29 and 30, 2017, Tebis hosted its 14th annual open house at the company premises in Martinsried, setting a visitor record. The focus was on making customer processes and automation more efficient. Around 600 visitors from domestic and international locations showed great interest over the two days in the diverse topics and high-quality practical presentations on process optimization.

Bernhard Rindfleisch, CEO of Tebis AG, welcomed the guests and was pleased with the increasing popularity of the open house. This year's event centered on designing more efficient customer processes, with another emphasis on automation. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about current and upcoming software innovations and Tebis's service expertise. The lively evening program with magic and comedy provided time for networking and exchanging experiences. The consistently excellent atmosphere reflected the guests' opinion of a thoroughly successful Tebis open house.

Current and Future Software Innovations

The concept of this year's Tebis open house divided the topics into industry-specific process solutions and functional applications. Both attracted many visitors. At the topic stations, guests could explore numerous current software features as well as upcoming innovations. A special highlight was the significant performance improvements announced with Release 5. These include faster NC calculation speeds and better response times in general handling, such as opening files, starting simulations, or navigating work plans. Also new but already available are the two software extensions: Laser Hardening and Laser Welding. The Laser Hardening function is ideal for heavily stressed surfaces that are to be hardened locally and without rework. Laser Welding allows small damages and manufacturing defects to be repaired or small design changes to be made. Additionally, Tebis introduced the hybrid technology with parametric surface and solid modeling in initial applications in the CAD area. The improvements in the current Release 4 also drew great interest from visitors. These include, among other things, the 5-axis technology for processing rule geometries such as pockets: tool inclination can be optimally controlled according to the situation, and improved NC programming now shortens processing times.

Exciting Practical Presentations

Besides the software innovations, the versatile lecture program featuring practical contributions and international guest speakers attracted many listeners. Customers such as Odyssey Inc. (USA), Ford-Werke GmbH (Germany, Cologne), Karl Walter Formen- und Kokillenbau GmbH & Co. KG, Modell- und Formenbau M.Reuss GmbH, Modelleria Brambilla S.p.a. (Italy), and Socem Group (Portugal) shared their advantages of using Tebis in design, toolmaking processes, and aerospace. They discussed specific process solutions, including digital manufacturing, and explained how process improvements and related concepts can be implemented.

The event was kicked off by Falk Visarius, Head of Technology Design Models at Porsche AG. He vividly described the workflows in his department, which has been using Tebis since 2000. The software is used in a highly dynamic and creative environment: for surface reverse engineering and design, freeform surfaces and geometries, as well as documentation of change statuses, data analysis, and data management. Visarius emphasized that the geometric reliability of data and resulting models are genuine quality features in the design process.

How process improvements, among other things in small parts manufacturing, are successfully and sustainably implemented was explained by Diedrich Diedrichsen, Managing Director of Heinz Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, in his presentation. After a comprehensive potential analysis with Tebis Consulting, small parts were to be prepared more quickly with a Tebis extension, a template technology was to be introduced, and time-parallel setup was to be enabled. The measures implemented through the integration significantly improved processes: 77% faster data preparation, 70% more time-parallel setup, and an 80% reduction in employee involvement in processing. Diedrichsen attributes these successes to a thorough current state analysis from an objective perspective, setting realistic and concrete goals, and a consistent project management approach based on traceability and employee involvement.

Focus on Customer Processes

Strong process chains thrive on continuous exchange with technology partners and users, which is why they were especially involved at the topic stations. There, cooperation partners such as F. Zimmermann GmbH, Fooke GmbH, Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme GmbH, and Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH from target industries such as mold making, toolmaking, model building, and machine construction presented CAD/CAM processes that have already been successfully implemented with Tebis software and services. A notable example of collaboration is the partnership with Prima Power, one of the leading manufacturers in laser cutting. Within a premium partnership, machine and software are sold as a product package.

The Tebis process specialists also answered many questions about technical and organizational process optimization. Many visitors explored how professional process consulting and implementation can help them achieve greater efficiency, safety, and quality in manufacturing. Tebis Consulting, the manufacturing-oriented business consulting firm, was awarded Top Consultant 2017 and is among the best consulting firms for medium-sized companies in Germany. The consultants also introduced the new portfolio, recently expanded with the management consulting area. The goal is to develop viable visions, meaningful future concepts, and concrete business objectives together with customers to prepare the company for the future. Equipped with the right strategy and realistic concepts, the operation can remain competitive. Tebis Consulting also offers support in process optimization and assists with the concrete implementation of the agreed change measures.

The long trade fair day was concluded with a festive evening event. Relaxed conversations allowed contacts to be deepened and experiences exchanged late into the night. In some more unusual conversations, a Horst Schlämmer double entertained guests, providing much merriment. Additionally, magician Philo Kotnik amazed his audience with astonishing dexterity, mental arts, and impressive illusions.