DMG MORI Chicago Innovation Days Featured the Future of Machine Tool Manufacturing

DMG MORI demonstrated the latest trends and innovations in machine tool manufacturing during its Chicago Innovation Days. The annual event took place on May 13-16 at the company’s Hoffman Estates, Illinois, location. 

In the spotlight were machines and auxiliary equipment, including the CELOS app-based control and user interface that DMG MORI introduced in 2013, that promoted “open connectivity” through integrated digitization. DMG MORI announced that it is increasing its portfolio of CELOS services with intelligent software solutions and connective hardware. Open connectivity includes digital IoT services and products to integrally network processes and machines with one another. Additionally, DMG MORI has established the CELOS Club, which offers customers unique solutions on their path to Industry 4.0 and IIoT.

The company also debuted its compact ALX 2000 turning machine and also compact DMP 70 five-axis machining center to the U.S. market during Innovation Days. The ALX 2000 is being manufactured at the company’s Davis, California, plant.

Another focus at the event was five-axis excellence – complete machining for more productivity. DMG MORI says five-axis machining was initially an answer to the trend towards increasingly complex work pieces. Today, it is increasingly becoming part of productive mass production in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and tool and mold making sectors. The company displayed a representative cross-section of its five-axis portfolio, including a DMU 50 3^rd Generation automated with a PH 150 pallet handling, two monoBLOCK machines and two models from the duoBLOCK series as well as the DMU 200 Gantry. The ULTRASONIC 20 linear and the LASERTEC 3D machines for additive manufacturing complete the 5-axis exhibits. 

Emphasis was put on automated machines being crucial components of a digital factory and therefore an integral part of intelligent and networked production. On display with the ALX 2000 was the GX 7 gantry loader, for example. Additionally, DMG MORI demonstrated the NHX 4000 with a RPS for 21 pallets and the NHX 6300 with a LPP for twelve pallets. Further examples of efficient automation solutions were the Robo2Go 2^nd Generation for a wide variety of turning centers and the DMP 70 with WH 3 workpiece handling.

Finally, DMG MORI has been involved in the growing field of additive manufacturing for more than 20 years. The company has five Additive Manufacturing Excellence Centers (AMEC) worldwide. It also holds a 30% share in software developer InTech, which has provided key software and technological expertise for generative production. A first result of this collaboration is the new Optomet software, which InTech offers for the Lasertec SLM series machines. It has self-adjusting and learning algorithms that calculate the required parameters of the SLM process in advance within minutes.