Is this technology only for large companies?

Alfred Lilla: It is true that we can count many large, well-known aerospace companies among our FMS customers. However, our customers range from the supplier Premium Aerotec, our largest and oldest regular customer with a total of 8 FMS and 20 Ecospeed machines, down to the small but perfectly formed Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus, which ordered an FMS with 2 Ecospeed F 2040. So it is clear that FMS are also suitable for small and medium-sized companies.
 

When you look back at the successes of FMS, what is the common denominator of all buyers of FMS – also with regard to the Starrag claim “Engineering precisely what you value”? What do FMS buyers really value and appreciate?

Alfred Lilla: The customers rely primarily on growth and safety. We meet these two wishes with significantly increased productivity, which we substantiate with average performance increases of 300 % to 500 % when compared with old conventional machines, and from 30 % to 40 % compared to new machines from competitors. Additionally, thanks to the robust technology, we can provide an extremely high system availability of > 96 %. For the majority of buyers, however, it all comes down to a rapid return on investment. We fulfil this requirement by ensuring fast, productive utilization of the FMS with fast delivery and commissioning. For example, Orizon expected its new FMS solution to be operational within just eight months, in accordance with its “letter of intent”– and we achieved just that. This also contributed to increased growth and safety.

Does digital transformation play a role in the specifications of customers? How do you meet their requirements?

Alfred Lilla: The best example of this can be seen in Korea with KAI. As its core element, the FMS features a cell controller, which automatically monitors all processes. This ensures that everything runs automatically. The user only needs to clamp the parts to be machined onto the pallets – everything else is done automatically. The cell controller controls the entire process – from the automatic loading and storage of the raw material to the unloading of the finished components. All information and resources are managed via the cell controller, which receives orders from the primary ERP system of the end customer. The cell controller ensures there is digital transparency in the factory because it centrally manages all the FMS information, which it forwards on to primary computer systems as required via standard interfaces. For us, ‘Industrie 4.0’ is not a vision for the future; it is already a reality and is ensuring a high level of reliability and effectiveness in the production process.

Are we talking about tailored solutions that only large, solvent customers can afford?

Alfred Lilla: Yes, they are tailored. We rely on the foundation of our Integrated Production System (IPS), from which the customer can select their individual ‘Industrie 4.0’ solution “à la carte”. But they are also available to medium-sized suppliers: The Starrag IPS is used as a platform for automating and digitizing production – step by step if desired. IPS ranges from individual machines, to FMS and right up to complete production lines. In contrast to other providers, we also use products developed in-house for all important components: The core element is the cell controller, developed by Starrag, which monitors FMS and production lines to ensure reliable processes. This digital icing on the cake shows not only that it can guide and control the entire production process – in conjunction with a higher-level ERP system where applicable – the cell controller also ensures digital transparency in the factory by visualizing the system status, for example. And thanks to our in-house development, we also ensure high availability when it comes to digitalization.