S09: Ready for the Future ? A Look at Press Automation

Press automation has been established in production for many decades and has been repeatedly adapted during this time. These adaptations were necessary in order to increase efficiency and thus achieve cost savings or higher profits. This also had advantages, such as quality improvement, safety, flexibility and just-in-time-production. Today Industry 4.0 can be described as a revolution in stamping technology. Further requirements are coming to the fore, whether it be in the production of complex multifunctional parts and integral assemblies or the control of the material used and the finished components. As a result, the requirements for the type of material feed and the corresponding handling also are becoming more complex. This also includes digitalization and artificial intelligence, not forgetting the optimization of existing automation systems. Where will be the path lead us in the coming years?