ZOLLER Automation Days 2023

ZOLLER highlighted unique solutions that optimize and automate cutting tool processes, and launched a new Toolroom of the Year competition

ZOLLER Inc. welcomed manufacturing professionals from a range of industry verticals to its North American headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for Automation Days on Aug. 9 and 10, 2023. Customers and industry leaders highlighted the unique solutions ZOLLER offers 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 guest speakers such as Peter Cockburn, principal engineer – manufacturing innovation at Bell, an industry-leading producer of commercial and military vertical lift aircraft headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Bell integrates ZOLLER 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."

ZOLLER displayed a range of its automation solutions during the two-day event, from comprehensive tool management software to its 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.

Toolroom of the Year
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, ZOLLER is now preparing for a road show of its automation solutions. 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.