For the past 42 years, the biennial AMB, alternating with the EMO, has been one of the most important platforms for the metalworking industry in Europe, at which GROB has been presenting its latest developments and technologies since 2008, particularly in such challenging economic times as these. "Exhibitions such as the AMB are critical. They let us establish contact with customers, attract numerous new customers, and also establish projects," concludes Christian Müller, CSO of GROB-WERKE.
Good prospects in the universal machining business
He is also satisfied with the current business development at GROB in the universal machining centers segment, especially considering that a good balance between the assembly business, e-mobility, and conventional machining is essential for GROB. "Ten years ago, the automotive sector accounted for 90% of our conventional machining activities, with other sectors contributing just 10%," explains Müller. "We have now reached a 50:50 split and expect the universal machining center share to increase to 60 percent as a result of market trends and our business model."
The importance of an exhibition like the AMB is also shown by the current development of the GROB customer base in the universal machining center business, which is now 50 times bigger than it was ten years ago. There is a particular focus on the "Aerospace" business. "We know that the supply chain for the commercial aircraft industry is under considerable pressure and that it needs to significantly expand its capacities to manage the order situation. For instance, there are companies out there with full order books for the next 13 years because the industry has ordered more than 15,000 aircraft, a circumstance that Müller believes points to significant future potential in the Aerospace division.
GROB's biggest machine of all time celebrates its premiere at the exhibition
As a very special attraction, it was the very first time for GROB to present its machining center G920F5 for mega- and giga-castings at an exhibition to set new standards in machining technology. Giga-castings are high-volume components whose size alone places great demands on machines. Demands that the G920F5 meets perfectly with its robust design and the possibility of 5-axis machining, which can be considered a milestone in conventional machining technology. In the universal machining center segment, GROB presented the 5-axis universal machining center G350, which provides maximum precision and flexibility in combination with the GROB robot cell GRC-R60. The 5-axis mill-turn machining center G550T was also presented, equipped with the rotary pallet storage system PSS-R900, the additional magazine TM373, and the driverless transport system GMR.
Satisfactory exhibition and high visitor numbers at the GROB stand
The AMB has continued to develop every year on both the customer as well as machine manufacturer side, with all renowned machine manufacturers present. The innovations on display are focused on the AMB and no longer on the EMO to the same extent. "We are seeing that Stuttgart is an ideal exhibition location for northern Italy, Switzerland, Austria, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland, and France," explains German Wankmiller, CEO of GROB-WERKE. "And it particularly attracts car makers from the south, such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Porsche, which are less visible at the EMO." Despite the currently challenging environment, the AMB welcomed over 65,000 professional visitors through its doors.
AMB exhibition premieres are a long-standing tradition at GROB
Ever since its first participation in the AMB in 2008, GROB has repeatedly been able to set new milestones with innovative developments and technologies. At the AMB in 2010, GROB celebrated a special world premiere with its first machining center without any hydraulics. Four years later, the focus was on the GROB Swivel Axis Calibration (GSC) and GROB Manufacturing Execution System G-Net software technologies. And, two years ago, GROB presented the first 4-axis machines from the G440/G640/G840 series, the small five-axis machine G150, and the large two-spindle G-module G720F for machining frame structure parts, the predecessor to the G920F5.
