MicroStep Europa GmbH presents its new fiber laser cutting machine as a first result of the technology and innovation cooperation with Eckelmann AG, Wiesbaden. The cooperation started in January 2021. Together, the two companies want to introduce revolutionary Industry 4.0 concepts for sheet metal processing of the future and to this end are both involved in the medium-sized company oriented Industry Business Network 4.0 e.V. (IBN 4.0).
The new MSE SmartFL series is Industry 4.0-ready for use with the multi-vendor, European IIoT networking solution IndustryFusion. The open-source networking solution for smart factories and smart products is an IBN 4.0 initiative and allows interoperable linking of machines, factories, and cloud platforms.
IndustryFusion is designed to enable companies of all sizes to digitize their manufacturing process and gain access to a broad Industry 4.0 ecosystem that thrives on the plurality and diversity of medium-sized players in the market. To support digitization, it is of course also possible to use the machine series with FactoryWare MMS: The manufacturer- and technology-independent Machine Management System from Eckelmann offers medium-sized sheet metal working companies in particular a lightweight entry into the digitization and networking of machines.
Johannes Ried, Managing Director of MicroStep Europa: “Among other things, the development of its own CNC control technology has made MicroStep a partner in demand worldwide when it comes to meeting highly complex requirements in the fields of cutting and automation. Accordingly, our expectations of a supplier regarding the control technology for MicroStep Europa GmbH’s new standard MSE SmartFL laser series were demanding. Today we know: With Eckelmann, we have gained more than just a new development partner and supplier for automation technology. In particular, we were convinced by a profound common understanding of what control technology and operating concepts should look like that are optimally geared to networking heterogeneous machine parks and advanced digital workflows.”