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Automation solutions for mechanical engineering

Mastering new challenges every day with the right automation

Mechanical engineering

Markets have become more fast-paced. That's why we have to adapt to changing market situations at increasingly shorter notice in the interests of our customers.

Helmut Berger, Plant Manager, Berger Holding

Variety needs flexibility

Mechanical engineering is in our blood. From construction machinery to machine tools, Liebherr itself has been producing with a high level of vertical integration for more than 70 years. That's why we understand firsthand the challenges in mechanical engineering.

When it comes to automation, the number one requirement is flexibility. The large variety of parts makes intelligent automation concepts necessary: from series parts such as hydraulic cylinders to the variant-rich production of similar parts such as valve blocks to the small batch manufacturing of massive workpieces such as machine beds or components in steel construction.

To ensure that our automation fits this wide range of parts, we offer a broad product portfolio from a quantity of 1 to series production. If requirements ever change, we will subsequently adapt the capacity of your manufacturing system to the changed demand. Our goal is to advise you individually and deliver a solution that works exactly for you and your manufacturing processes. Top quality, maximum flexibility and costs under control our automation supports you in this.

The requirements of the mechanical engineering industry

High mix/low volume
- Small batch sizes
- Series in quantities < 100
- Manufacturing in multiple setups
Flexibility
- Parts from small to large
- Different batch sizes
- Required production capacity fluctuates due to volatile end customer demand
Individual consulting needs
- Broad customer base from small business to corporate group
- Different levels of knowledge: from automation novices to professionals
- Individual production processes

The answer: automation

Automation from a batch size of one
We offer pallet handling with standardized workpiece carriers and individual clamping fixtures or robots with gripper changing systems for different parts. The operator is guided through changing activities via cell control.
Automation that grows with you
Subsequent expansion of the system can be planned as early as the initial design stage. In this way, the manufacturing system adapts to increasing demand.
Intensive consulting
With our extensive expertise, we advise you and also offer profitability calculations and simulations. We also meet demanding specifications and adapt to individual processes such as quality strategies.

Mechanical engineering: how to automate your manufacturing processes

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Flexible robot systems

Robots also with gripper changing systems can be used for medium batch sizes and small series. From single machine loading to manufacturing systems with automated setup of tools or workpieces, and integrated additional operations such as measuring or cleaning.

More information

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Bin Picking

For larger quantities, bin picking can be used to separate chaotically located parts. With our own bin picking software LHRobotics.Vision and a powerful vision system, new variants can be set up quickly and even a changing range of parts can be automated in a meaningful way.

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PHS pallet handling systems

Perfectly suited for variant manufacturing, Liebherr PHS offer large workpiece storage unit and thus long autonomy times in low-manpower or even unmanned manufacturing. Intelligent cell control helps manage resources and reduce the complexity of high mix/low volume manufacturing.

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Video

Pallet handling systems: manufacturing from batch size 1

On our visits to Kempten, we were advised and taught about all the details and felt very well informed. Here it became apparent to us that Liebherr, as a long-established family business, is a reliable partner representing dependable and high-quality German mechanical engineering.

Georg Kauschinger, Head of Horizontal Machining, Rohde & Schwarz Teisnach

Customer projects

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Rosenbauer: pump production for fire fighting vehicles

The manufacturer of firefighting equipment with a high level of vertical integration not only manufactures pumps for a specific vehicle, but has a broad portfolio from submersible to motorized pumps in its range. They were looking for a flexible and space-saving automation system for the manufacturing and found this at Liebherr. This compact automation is an RLS rotary loading system with sufficient storage possibilities for one to two machines.

  • Time savings of 50%
  • Unmanned manufacturing up to four hours after shift end
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Automated from the saw section to the valve block

A production concept for almost 1,500 part variants was implemented for a manufacturer of hydraulic valve blocks. An outstanding degree of automation and a high degree of autonomy were achieved by automating workpiece feed, setup and machining:

  • Universal feed of saw cuttings in small load carriers
  • Automated set-up of blanks on clamping fixtures
  • Machine loading by pallet handling system for 5 machining centers
  • Tool automation with central storage and distribution system
Flexible, error-free and low-maintenance - that's Liebherr.

Klaus Tollerian, Head of Manufacturing, Herborner Pumpentechnik

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