GrindingHub exhibitors demonstrate: Human-robot collaboration could soon be setting the pace in factories. Gradual shift to automated grinding.

GrindingHub 2024 is set to open its doors for the second time to grinding experts from all over the world from 14 to 17 May 2024. Over 460 exhibitors from 31 countries will be presenting their latest grinding technology solutions in Stuttgart – now in four exhibition halls for the first time.

Incorporating manual grinding, polishing or brushing processes into automated production might sound good on paper, but it is very difficult to achieve in practice. More and more machine manufacturers are responding to this challenge by offering grinding technology combined with flexible automation systems. Unlike many OEMs, however, SME users are likely to prefer an incremental approach involving moderate individual investments. Existing machines and retrofits can play a special role here.

Exhibitors at GrindingHub, the industry meeting point for grinding technology in Stuttgart, will provide an insight into their solutions and research projects before the trade fair begins.

One thing is clear: Automation is certainly enjoying a boom. According to the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), the pressure to raise productivity and the shortage of skilled workers are making it more important than ever to invest in production technology, regardless of the short-term economic prospects. Grinding is no exception here – on the contrary: faster production speeds, more exacting tolerances, reproducible quality and potential savings represent attractive propositions, also for companies that are still offering manual processing.

Concentrated expertise and comprehensive support
Trade fairs such as GrindingHub 2024 show how manufacturers of grinding, honing, lapping and polishing machines are adapting to the demands. The solutions on display include machine tools with dedicated robots for loading and discharging workpieces, or additional robot cells for the automatic execution of testing, cleaning, deburring, laser marking and storage processes. Aimed at driving forward the automation of grinding processes, strategic partnerships are often forged between machine and robot suppliers, for example. Such partnerships bring together expertise from the areas of stationary machines and flexible automation (robotics).

“We are particularly pleased to be presenting even more aspects of the grinding process chain than in the first event. More exhibitors, greater internationality, more product diversity. There is clear growth in all key areas compared to the premiere in 2022,” says Martin Göbel, Head of Trade Fairs at the VDW.

A total of 461 exhibitors had registered by February 23 – 85 more companies than in 2022. The number of companies and the amount of exhibition space they have booked have made it necessary to open a fourth hall.

However, visitors can look forward not only to increased numbers but also to greater diversity in terms of international involvement. The exhibitors will be coming from a total of 31 countries – eight more than last time. The top five, headed by Germany (210 companies), also includes Switzerland (62), China (43), Italy (37) and Japan (15). Accordingly, the VDW is expecting an increase in the number of visitors from Asia now that the coronavirus-related restrictions have been lifted there.

The exhibitors are spread across 40 sectors, from grinding, polishing and honing equipment through to cylindrical and non-cylindrical grinding machines, cooling and lubrication. In the grinding, polishing and honing products segment, the organisers have registered almost 120 per cent growth. The top 5 sectors include cylindrical and non-cylindrical grinding machines, grinding machines for the cutting and machining of tools, machines for lapping, polishing and honing as well as surface grinding machines.

For further details visit www.grindinghub.de