Gerhard Schubert automates four DMG Mori machines with RoboJob
A robot builder that chose RoboJob: night production from the very first night
Gerhard Schubert automates four DMG Mori machines with RoboJob
Gerhard Schubert in Crailsheim, Germany, is a world leader in packaging machines and builds its own robots. Even so, for its components manufacturing it chose RoboJob. Since 2016, four RoboJob systems have automated its DMG Mori machines, producing standard parts unmanned at night, from the very first night.
Key facts
- Company: Gerhard Schubert GmbH
- Location: Crailsheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Founded: 1966
- Employees: approx. 1,400 (Crailsheim)
- Industries: Machine construction (packaging machines)
- RoboJob products: Turn-Assist 250, Turn-Assist 270 (2×), Mill-Assist Essential
- CNC machine brands: DMG Mori
- Automated machines: DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC, DMG Mori CTX beta 800 (2×), DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo
- RoboJob customer since: 2016
- Key results: installed and trained in 2 days instead of 3; 5 unmanned night hours from the very first night; six standard products run automatically at night
A pioneer in packaging technology since 1966
Founded in Crailsheim in 1966, Gerhard Schubert is a family business in its second generation and a leading manufacturer of top-loading packaging machines (TLM). Its modular, robot-based machines package products for the food, confectionery, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries worldwide. Schubert develops and builds its own robots and controls in Crailsheim, where more than 1,400 of its roughly 1,800 employees work. The parts for its machines are made in its own components manufacturing and by suppliers around Crailsheim.
Why automate: series at night, flexibility by day
“It goes without saying that automation is part of our DNA. We construct our proprietary automation for our branch, which is why we also set such high demands on the automation of our machines. Automation enables us to utilize our machine capacities more efficiently and to produce more overnight. This way we’re able to produce with the flexibility needed in a two shift system during the day and manufacture the series at night using the automation.”
— Gerhard Schubert, Crailsheim
Why RoboJob: a recommendation from another customer
Through a contact, Schubert met another RoboJob customer who was very enthusiastic about his automation. After three meetings with RoboJob, it was clear that this was the right solution and the right supplier.
First night, first goal reached
In October 2016, the first RoboJob Turn-Assist 250 was installed on Schubert’s DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC. Three days were scheduled for installation and training, but everything was finished after two. During the training, three standard parts were programmed together with Schubert’s employees. The goal was 5 hours of unmanned production at night, and it was reached on the very first night.
“We now use our Turn-Assist to automatically produce six of our standard products at night. When it needs to be done using RoboJob, we don’t need to worry.”
— Gerhard Schubert, Crailsheim
Pull & Break: bar machining with a robot
At Gerhard Schubert, the RoboJob Turn-Assist on the DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC runs a Pull & Break cycle. The lathe machines the part at the end of a bar that protrudes from the spindle and makes a parting cut. The robot then grips the part and carefully breaks it off, before removing it from the spindle and placing it on the parts table. This way, parts can be machined directly from bar stock, without a bar feeder, while the robot takes care of loading and unloading.
Watch the Pull & Break cycle at Gerhard Schubert in the video below.
Four RoboJob systems on DMG Mori machines
The first cell was only the first step. Schubert has since automated three more DMG Mori machines with RoboJob.
- DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC with a Turn-Assist 250
- DMG Mori CTX beta 800 with a Turn-Assist 270
- DMG Mori CTX beta 800 with a Turn-Assist 270
- DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo with a Mill-Assist Essential
“RoboJob is a young, but highly professional enterprise. It’s really nice working together with them, both on a business and on an operational level. My colleagues were also thoroughly impressed with the installation. Unfortunately we rarely come across a team that works as professionally and punctually as that of RoboJob. Hats off to them!”
— Gerhard Schubert, Crailsheim
Frequently asked questions
Which machines did Gerhard Schubert automate with RoboJob?
Gerhard Schubert in Crailsheim, Germany, runs four RoboJob systems: a Turn-Assist 250 on a DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC, Turn-Assist 270 cells on two DMG Mori CTX beta 800 lathes and a Mill-Assist Essential on a DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo. The company has been a RoboJob customer since 2016.
Can a DMG Mori CTX beta 800 be automated?
Yes. Gerhard Schubert runs RoboJob Turn-Assist cells on a CTX beta 800 TC and two CTX beta 800 lathes. Metaalconstructie Vanderscheuren and Jehle CNC also automate DMG Mori CTX lathes. See all DMG Mori automation projects.
Can a DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo be automated?
Yes. Gerhard Schubert automated a DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo 5-axis machining centre with a RoboJob Mill-Assist Essential.
How long does it take to install a RoboJob Turn-Assist?
At Gerhard Schubert, three days were planned for installation and training of the first Turn-Assist, but everything was finished after two. The goal of 5 unmanned hours at night was reached on the very first night.
Do machine builders automate their own parts production with RoboJob?
Yes. Gerhard Schubert builds its own robots for packaging machines, yet automates its components manufacturing with RoboJob. KNF Neuberger and HEB Hydraulik-Elementebau do the same. See CNC automation for machine building.
What is Pull & Break on a CNC lathe?
Pull & Break is a way to machine parts directly from bar stock with a robot, without a bar feeder. The lathe machines the part at the end of a bar that protrudes from the spindle and makes a parting cut. The robot grips the part, carefully breaks it off, removes it from the spindle and places it on the parts table. Gerhard Schubert uses Pull & Break with a RoboJob Turn-Assist on a DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC.
Can a RoboJob robot perform Pull & Break on a DMG Mori lathe?
Yes. At Gerhard Schubert, a RoboJob Turn-Assist runs a Pull & Break cycle on a DMG Mori CTX beta 800 TC: the robot holds the parted-off part, breaks it off, takes it out of the spindle and places it on the parts table. See all DMG Mori automation projects.