INTERNATIONAL Edition

01/10

FOREWORD .......................................................................01A few words from the Grob family

GROB tEchnOlOGy nEWs .........................................01Launch of GROB‘s new technologies

GROB tEchnOlOGy ......................................................03The ultimate in perfection - automation and flexibility

GROB PRODUctIOn .......................................................05GROB sets new standards in production

GROB DEPaRtmEnts .....................................................06GROB‘s creative thinkers and innovators

GROB tRaInInG ................................................................07Come with ME – GROB to work with Mindelheim Middle School

GROB tRaInInG ...............................................................08Sarah Beusch – the first female industrial mechanic at GROB

GROB cOmPany PhysIcIan ........................................08Alcohol prevention decreases accidents and increases productivity

GROB WORks cOmmIttEE ..........................................09Works Committee chairman’s review is positive

GROB salEs ......................................................................10Sales pass the acid test as GROB prepares for the future

GROB maRkEtInG ..........................................................11“Sustainable value” of the GROB marketing campaign

GROB salEs ......................................................................13ABC countries emerging from the recession at different rates

GROB taZ ...........................................................................14The hub of the latest machine building technology

cOntEnt

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DEAR cOLLEAguEs,business partners, friends of Grob,

christian Grob, margret Grob, Dr. h.c. Burkhart Grob (from left to right)

1

modular transfer line

Another way of replacing our old

transfer line technology is the modu-

lar transfer line. This type of machine

comes into its own, when takt times of

less than thirty seconds are required for

machining parts. We have so far used

the modular transfer line on three proj-

ects. These were Renault Cléon (cylin-

der block), Kia Zilina (cylinder block),

and Audi Györ (cylinder block).

As with our MSM, the machine‘s units

have the same assemblies and the

same components. However the units

are loaded and unloaded from the side

via our transfer module. The advantage

of this transport design is that loading

and unloading time can be reduced by

more than two seconds compared to

the old transfer line. This machine is

designed to combine perfectly with our

machining centers.

new components pass operating

conditions test

Roll-up cable carriers for A-axes, tool

exchange arms with two-disk maga-

zine and linear drives for X, Y and Z

axes were initially trialed on test rigs

and then put through their paces on

prototype machines. Following the suc-

cessful completion of these tests, they

are now included on new orders for

BMW Steyr (cylinder head and cylinder

block) and PSA France (cylinder block).

On the PSA order, the FANUC 30i con-

trol system is used. In parallel with

these new components, the whole of

the inner paneling was redesigned to

considerably improve the working area

enclosure and to create a coolant-free

and chip-free environment in the rear

machine space. The full set of new

Work on the new G350P was completed

in all production and assembly depart-

ments in the shortest possible time. It is

equipped with all the newly developed

sub-assemblies. In a few weeks another

machine, the G550P will be on trial in the

assembly department. Both machines

will in future be used for tenders and

projects in the automotive industry. The

further developments made to these

machines reduce manufacturing costs

and improve quality and efficiency.

Another advantage of these machines is

that they can be loaded with parts not

just from above via linear gantries, but

also manually from interlinked lines at

the front. Once again the working area

was improved to optimize chip fall and

to minimize coolant requirements.

the new generation

of assembly lines

Our newly-developed assembly system

for the Daimler Hedelfingen NAG 2 P2

project has just been completed. The

basic design of this assembly system

differs from previous versions chiefly

because of the very compact layout of

the assembly stations, including con-

veyor equipment and feeder belts. With

this design, the fully-automated equip-

ping of assembly stations with relatively

complex handling systems is now a

thing of the past. Now it is possible to

run not just manual and part-automated

assembly processes, but also fully auto-

mated ones. The assembly stations are

standardized in their design and con-

figuration and, for expansion purposes,

are modular in structure. After intensive

monitoring and the test assembly of a

large number of transmissions, the first

part of the Daimler assembly line has

already been approved by the Daimler

team.

The design and setup of the assembly

lines will in future be suitable for other

parts and components. The entire

interlinked length of this assembly

line is 900m and there is a total of 53

automatic stations, 19 semi-automatic

stations and 60 manual stations. It pro-

duces a full hybrid automatic transmis-

sion unit every 43 seconds.

The development of this system was −

typically for GROB – completed in the

shortest possible time. It was planned

and then executed to a customer-specific

design. Once again we can be especially

proud of what was achieved.

developments applies to all single-

spindle and double-spindle G-modules

at development stage 5.

G320E (single and double spindle )

and G350P on trial

The first two machines in the G320

E series (single and double spindle)

are now in operation in Hall 8 at the

GROB factory. Both machines use the

new two-disk tool magazine, but they

have different types of tool loading

arms. What users particularly like is the

compact construction, excellent acces-

sibility to all components and the new,

additional viewing window for the

double spindle machine in the Y-stand

on the control side.

gROB TEchNOLOgy NEwslaunch of GROB‘s new technologies

gROB TEchNOLOgy NEwslaunch of GROB‘s new technologies

What was at the end of last year

still largely at the planning and

development stage is now ready

for the market. The G-module series

have been extended to include the

G320E, G350P and G550P and they

are now equipped with newly-

developed components throughout.

The transfer technology has been

completely redesigned and a totally

new operating system and architec-

ture devised.

In the last edition of GROB International

we reported on a raft of GROB inno-

vations from components to fully re-

developed machines. These new GROB

technologies have now been rolled out.

And they have proved themselves not

just as internal prototypes, but have

also demonstrated their reliability on

customer projects and as demonstration

machines for exhibitions.

The whole range of GROB innovations

can be viewed this year at the top

trade fairs, the IMTS in Chicago (13–

18.09.2010) and the AMB in Stuttgart

(28.09−03.10.2010). The importance of

nineteen machines. The new MSM is

used worldwide for machining cylinder

heads, engine blocks and other pris-

matic components. It is loaded via linear

gantries designed with parallel kinemat-

ics or Cartesian linear axes. Right from

the start, our customers were greatly

impressed by their high operability and

very simple maintenance requirements.

Other good design features are the

machine‘s self-sufficiency, a decentral-

ized electrical, fluid and cooling system.

The MSM is therefore ideal when flex-

ibility is required for expanding and

upgrading an automotive industry pro-

duction plant.

these two trade fairs is already evident

from the fact that the AMB in Stuttgart

has had to be pushed back by a week

so that there could be a respectable

interval between the industry‘s two

main fairs. Both of these trade fairs

are hugely important for our company.

The IMTS, the most important event in

the North American market, is of great

significance not just for general manu-

facturing companies, but also for the

automotive industry in North America.

The AMD in Stuttgart is, alongside

EMO, the main European trade fair for

the metal processing industry. As well as

exhibiting at these events, we are also

planning further in-house demonstra-

tions and technology days at our head-

quarters in Mindelheim.

the new modular special machine

(msm)

A fully re-developed machine in modular

form with variable loading and automa-

tion systems is replacing the old trans-

fer line with a fixed transfer system.

Within a very short period of time, the

Modular Special Machine has proved

its worth on ten different projects and

There were many highly stressful months

after October 2008, but they are behind

us now. The deep-seated convulsions

felt by the world economy did not

spare our company and the problems

and challenges we subsequently faced

were massive ... and it all lasted far lon-

ger than anything comparable that has

the new G320E under construction

new standardized assembly system for more efficient productionthe modular special machine is loaded via a linear gantry with parallel kinematics

two disk magazine with changer arm

happened in recent decades. We had to

respond rapidly, responsibly and more

forcefully than ever before to an appre-

ciable number of order postponements

and cancellations. And so we made

case-by-case changes to our delivery

schedule, reduced temporary work and

outsourcing and introduced a number

of other measures. A series of tough

decisions made promptly ensured that

the family-run GROB company came

through the difficult times better than

many others.

We used this stressful time to improve

and develop our products in response

to new demands. This was mainly in

relation to machines and components.

Since then we have implemented last

year’s developments and incorporated

them into series production. Put the

far-reaching, re-organization and accel-

eration of working procedures at opera-

tional and administrative level together

with the constant, market-facing tech-

nological advances in our machines and

systems and what we have is a sound

footing for further commercial suc-

cess. GROB is now very well positioned

to address the current challenges and

those that lie ahead.

If the solid increase in orders received

in the German machine tool industry in

the first quarter of 2010 – 43 per cent

up on the same period in the previous

year – continues, external factors will

also give a further boost to the posi-

tive trend at GROB. We are firmly of

the view if we all do our utmost we can

lay very firm foundations for healthy

growth.

The Grob family

and management team

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rent series production was adopted for

this line, thereby creating cost-saving

synergies in maintenance and spare

part management.

tough demands placed on the

assembly equipment

Because of space restrictions and mini-

mal in-line buffers, each station had

to be extremely reliable. Arranged like

a pearl necklace, these in some cases

highly complex stations with up to 24

NC axles work together in close prox-

imity one beside the other. There are

basically no buffer sections between

decoupling stations: there is simply

no room. Small buffers were included

just ahead of the few manual work-

stations. These manual workstations

must be perfectly co-ordinated with the

automated stations. In order to ensure

continuous operation for such a large

number of versions, Daimler insisted

that we devised new systems for load-

ing and logistics.

A stand-by strategy had to be devel-

oped in case individual stations fail.

The high degree of flexibility in the

assembly equipment allows initially

for limiting the stand-by arrangements

to partial operating sequences. If, for

example, at a station with three robots,

one robot fails, the rest of the station

can continue to work. Alternatively the

work of the failed robot is carried out

manually on a stand-by work station. In

this way the line can continue to work

at a reduced level. On the one hand this

increases the line‘s output, but on the

other hand it makes cell control much

more complex.

One of the system‘s special features is

fully-automated piston pre-assembly.

design work, the ultra-modern Daimler

engine was continuously undergoing

further development and improvement.

An unavoidable issue in this sort of new

development. And so we had to keep

reacting to the constantly changing

circumstances. A situation that placed

tough demands on the entire project

management team.

At the end of 2007, once the design

work had been completed, construc-

tion of the system began in Mindel-

heim … and under considerable time

pressure. We had to repeatedly revise

already completed machine configu-

rations, because improvements and

modifications had been made to the

engine design. For production at the

Daimler engine works to start up on

time in January 2009 a huge effort was

required on both sides. The complex-

ity of the system was just so great. It

was certainly not a case of ”plug and

play“. The new engine and the new

approaches to assembly technology

required very detailed launch manage-

ment. Our employees had to make a

huge effort to complete the necessary

fine-tuning work – and this required

weekend and night-shift working.

But the complex system‘s in-built flex-

ibility did not just cause problems. It

helped to solve them. Because there

was this flexibility, many software

modifications to the assembly stations

– necessitated by the engine − were

carried out during the production stage.

Changes to the workpieces or assembly

positions were made simply by repro-

gramming via the innovative use of

robot technology. All the findings from

the first production line were included

in the parallel line, which has gone

into production in recent months and

has been delivering engines since April

2010. There is a constant demand for

this engine at a time of worldwide crisis

in the automotive industry. All in all, the

planning and delivery of these assem-

bly lines has been an intriguing project

with the amazing outcome that one of

our systems has once again become

part of the Daimler success story ... and

the headline is ”Innovative systems for

innovative engines“.

4

The pistons are pre-assembled with

full automation in a self-contained unit

with con-rod and bearings, so that they

can then be fitted into the engine as

a single component on the main line,

once again with full automation. The

parts with their delicate surfaces are

transported and assembled and then

any impurities, which inevitably arise

when the con-rods are fracture split,

must be removed in their entirety.

While working on the project, GROB

employees contributed countless ideas,

both big and small. One example is use

of a workpiece holder with adapter

plate. This enables certain parts to be

joined directly with a robot and toler-

ance chains are much reduced by index-

ing the adapter plate. The purpose of

the workpiece holder is only for trans-

porting the engine.

constant time pressure requires

a high degree of flexibility

One other major challenge facing the

team as they worked on the project was

the fact that while we were busy with our

In April of this year one of the most

complex production lines in GROB‘s

history was formally opened at

the Daimler engine factory in

Untertürkheim, Germany. This is a

production line for assembling four-

cylinder engines and its aim was to

meet unprecedented demands for

flexibility and automation, while

supplying engines for practically all

Mercedes volume models with both

transverse and longitudinal align-

ments and for up to 36 different

versions.

It all began early in 2006 with the

Daimler group‘s invitation to bid for a

production line for assembling 4-cylin-

was a response to the tremendous com-

petitive pressure facing the automotive

industry, the underlying imperative

being minimum human intervention for

reduced production costs.

Intensive preparations

and tough basic requirements

For six long months the team at GROB

planned, calculated, rejected and

improved until in the end a solution was

found and the requirements were met

in full. Their work was so impressive

that in the summer of 2006 and after

laborious negotiations GROB won the

contract to supply the first production

line with the option to supply a second

in about 12 months.

Because of the project specifications

GROB had to break entirely new ground.

This assembly line would require the

use of jointed-arm robots. In the past

on comparable projects these devices

were something of a rarity. Up until

this point, programming and startup

expertise had been outsourced. But as

the plans envisioned a very large num-

ber of robots (ten robots for two lines,

with the option for another 65 robots),

programming and startup was to be

kept in the hands of GROB employees.

So a far-reaching training schedule was

launched to duly train up a number of

GROB employees from the design and

production departments. Right from the

start, the stations were computer-tested

using simulation programs for feasibil-

ity of the planned sequences. Within a

very small space fully-automated sta-

tions had to be combined with manual

work stations and these were then

co-ordinated with one another. The

plan was for no fewer than 65 robots

at 43 stations, with up to four robots

per station in the first line. Because of

the large number of robots and the

confined spaces, the sequencing of the

robot movements could be safeguarded

only by deploying KUKA‘s optional Saf-

eRobot technology. This was territory

into which we, like our electrical engi-

neering department, were entering for

the first time, as at the start of design

stage this software option was still new

to the market.

GROB expertise in standardizing

assembly systems

Fortunately we at GROB have been deal-

ing with issues around the standardiza-

tion of assembly systems for some time

now. With such a prestigious project,

high cost pressures and a tight sched-

ule intensified the need to push ahead

with the idea of standardization. The

stations were to be assembled using a

modular system. Each with the same

layout and requiring identical installa-

tion. The basis for this was the develop-

ment of the A-column as a standardized

main frame. The necessary mounting

surfaces for all the station‘s fixtures

were predefined on this column. Also

specified were standard locations for

the control unit and pneumatic plates.

Another step towards standardization

was the adoption of a proven technol-

ogy from our machining section. The

entire interlinking technology from cur-

der engines. The initial tender quickly

developed into a project that proved to

be extremely challenging for our proj-

ect management section. The proposed

production line was needed to assem-

ble the entirely newly-designed, four-

cylinder diesel engine, which would in

its basic version be used on almost all

automobile platforms. At a later date

there would be an expansion of the

production line to include engines for

commercial vehicles, i.e. longitudinal

and transverse arrangements, and also

4-wheel drives. Requirements, which

meant not just a large number of pro-

duction units with maximum flexibility,

but ultimately a highly-automated sys-

tem using robots. Daimler‘s strategy

gROB TEchNOLOgy the ultimate in perfection - automation and flexibility

36 different types of 4-cyinder engines are assembled on a GROB line in Untertürkheim

station a180: application of sealant and inspection stations a280 & a290: Pressing adapter sleeves and cover & adding seal and cylinder head

technical data – per line

Number of stations 50

Number of robots 65

Length of system 800 m

Operating cycle approx. 40 sec.

Output* 1390-1500 pieces/day

Engine versions

when completed 36

Engine type Diesel

* manual stations dependent on shift system

Pre-assembly station for pistons and con-rods

station a340: Fitting the camshaft

station a340 (camshaft and bearing cover assembly) plus conveyor belts

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INTERNATIONAL Edition

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Our company has worked hard to

earn its reputation as a leading

player in the machine tool techni-

cal revolution. But it will be even

harder to do justice to this reputa-

tion over a protracted period. So

who are these creative and techni-

cal masterminds, who help our com-

pany to retain its strong position in

the market-place?

It has always been a major part of the

GROB philosophy to see the company

as an organization that is greater than

the sum of its parts. And anyone who

has ever worked at GROB will know that

tremendous achievements only happen

as a result of sustained co-operation.

Tremendous achievements, such as our

position as a leader in technology, do

not emanate from one single depart-

ment. Ultimately they only happen,

when all parts of the business are work-

ing in harmony.

the primary task of the

Development department

In a company like GROB, which is driven

by leading-edge technology, the role

of the Development department is key.

This section’s primary task is to turn the

demands of our customers and those of

the Sales section and Management into

profitable, technologically-sophisticated

designs. We are talking here about

designs for our company’s much sought-

after series products like the machining

centers (G-module), motor spindles

(MSP), special machining centers (MSM)

or automated solutions. Masterpieces

which have emerged from our develop-

ment section have included the G350

G-module, which was unveiled at EMO

2007, the GROB motor spindle, and the

robot arm for use as a work piece and tool

changer. All GROB standard assemblies

begin life in “Development”. To ensure

that GROB developers always remain

in touch with the latest “demands”,

they stay in constant contact with other

departments. As the developers are hard

at work preparing their documentation

for all G-modules, they are also drawing

heavily on the experience of the Pro-

duction and Assembly teams as well as

the practical expertise of GROB service

staff, not just for new developments

but also for product support. Workshop

tests and field trials are conducted to

ensure machinery and components

keep performing at their optimum. It is

the Development team which specifies

the nature and scope of these essential

checks and trials, even performing some

of them itself. For example, Development

is currently conducting a very extensive

battery of tests and simulations on the

mechanical and thermal stability of the

G-modules.

a clearly structured workflow

Once a development order has been

issued, the parameters are clearly out-

lined in a specification manual and

tracked throughout the development

process in close consultation with Sales

and Management. The preliminary drafts

are compared and evaluated alongside

different design variants. Any associ-

ated design engineering work under-

goes constant checking, with attention

focused on dimensions, the correct

choice of sub-assembly and purchased

parts. Many very different forms of cal-

culation are used in the process.

When the design phase is complete,

more extensive simulations are carried

out, if required. The Finite Element

Method (FEM), for example, can show

very clearly the deformation patterns

and stresses in a component. By using

simulation tools, such as computers with

a 3-D display (3-D CAD), data verifica-

tion becomes commercially viable, and

allows for a more precisely engineered

design. The design and interim results

obtained in this way are discussed with

other technical departments such as

Production, Assembly and Fluid Engi-

neering, and especially with Electrical

Engineering. This ensures that the final

result will always be a modular, mecha-

tronic product built to GROB’s highest

standards. Some of the technical chal-

lenges the GROB development team

have had to grapple with in the past

include complex tool-changing devices,

a system for detecting a chip in the tool

holder during automatic tool changing,

or the systems for temperature com-

pensation. After reviewing and com-

pleting the documentation, the design

engineering results are passed to down-

stream departments together with addi-

tional information, including machine

planning, sequencing descriptions and

risk assessments.

specific demands on our

development engineers

The Development team are the first

people in the production chain to give

a task shape and form. One of the spe-

cial rewards of their job is to see ideas

materialize over the months, first as a

prototype and later as a series produc-

tion part elsewhere in the factory. This is

a situation where pride and responsibil-

ity meet identification with product and

company. This is a situation, which fits

perfectly with the attributes found in a

qualified development engineer. As well

as possessing a profound knowledge of

their subject, our design engineers must

demonstrate considerable creativity and

dogged persistence, qualities vital for

overcoming ever-present hurdles.

While always be on the look-out for new,

innovative solutions, they also need to talk

technical detail with specialists from other

departments, in order to reach a viable

consensus. So the design engineer’s day is

just as much about getting his ideas down

in 2-D and running 3-D computer simula-

tions as about a search for creative solu-

tions or the need to meet fixed deadlines

and to adopt proven technologies and

principles. The all-embracing requirement

that applies to all new developments is

summarized in the title of a book pub-

lished in 1929 by the master of machine

tool construction, Georg Schlesinger:

“Technical Perfection and Optimum Effi-

ciency in Factory Operations”. More than

eighty years later, the standards he set are

still valid and ones to which personnel in

the GROB Development department still

have an abiding commitment.

GROB has adopted an approach to

producing guide beds unmatched by

any other standard machinebuilder

in the world. In a recently completed

production cell in Hall 8, guide beds

in the future will be manufactured

according to needs with a maximum

production rate of three guide beds

per shift.

GROB has a well-deserved reputation for

its innovative, indeed highly individual,

approach to developing new production

methods. Now too, with the start of

production in Hall 8, our company has

once again successfully introduced an

entirely new approach to production, or

production depth. In the course of the

last few months, the new production

cell for machining G300 series guide

beds has steadily taken shape in the

production area. This production cell

consists of the two machine stations

03 and 04, and a manual workstation.

The guide bed will be manufactured by

the production cell as the basis for all

modules extremely quickly and to out-

standing quality standards. With this

new method, throughput time is over

60 percent shorter than with the uni-

versal machining center. Additionally,

the special machine enables particular

attention to be paid to the quality speci-

fications of the component during pro-

duction. This means that in future guide

beds can be manufactured as needed

and delivered straight to the installation

site. More three-station production cells

for 500 size G modules are currently

in planning. The maximum production

rate of the production cell is equivalent

to three guide beds per shift.

Joint effort by all technical areas

in production

It required and took the combined tech-

nical skills of every area in production

to put the stations into operational

use. But with the efforts of everyone

involved, the first G350 type guide bed

was produced in very short order. The

subsequent quality control confirmed

the initial general impression. The total

deviation of the guide surfaces was sig-

nificantly less compared with machining

on a universal machining center. Thanks

to the exemplary efforts of the entire

team, the first bed could be used for

installing the machine in Hall 8 itself!

Production cell with high-tech

equipment

The guide bed will be equipped with

standardized tool chucks outside the

machine and then transported to station

03 on the loading vehicle. The part is

lowered in the machine with the aid of

hydraulic rams, and can then be clamped

manually. The excellent foundation is

also a crucial element in the outstanding

machining result. On the basis of a per-

fectly solid machine construction, which

is temperature-controlled by regulating

air inflow and outflow, station 03 also

uses a special 6-spindle unit. In this sta-

tion, all guide surfaces are machined at

the same time. The flange surfaces for

the pallet changer and the drive units

are also produced at the same station.

The milling units are purely 2-axis NC

units; this means that the feed motion

is carried out by the tools, which are

changed manually throughout the entire

system. For tool technology, we relied

on suppliers with proven services and

products from systems business. Chips

are removed with manual vacuum unit,

which remove the chips from the work

area and deliver them straight into a

disposal container. The cladding for the

machine was manufactured to the best

possible standards by our own employ-

ees in the sheet metal workshop.

The bed is milled and drilled in station

04. Here, a single-spindle boring mill is

used. The rest of the milling and drill-

ing operations are also performed in

four clamping operations. The boring

mill has a swiveling head which can be

rotated in 90-degree steps. The spindle

used is a GROB motorized spindle with

standard chuck. At station 05, the man-

ual workstation, the part is machined

with a thread cutting apparatus, then

deburred and cleaned.

“With this new production method, our

company is again entering unexplored

territory and has proved that real success

can only come from bold decisions”,

declared GROB Production Manager Uli

Gneitung. “With the new production

cell, we can ensure guide bed produc-

tion driven entirely by consumption,

of extraordinary quality and ready for

installation”. A “lean” process from

end to end, and with absolute “just in

time” (JIT) reliability.

5

Production cell in hall 8 for machining guide beds

gROB PRODucTIONGROB sets new standards in production

gROB DEPARTmENTs GROB‘s creative thinkers and innovators

always on the look-out for innovative solutions to customer problems: the GROB development team

computers with 3-D display help the design team

station 04: milling and drilling the guide bed station 03: machining all guide surfaces

Edition

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7

Between ten and thirty percent of acci-

dents at work happen as a result of the

effects of alcohol. Alcohol consumption

impairs physical and mental perfor-

mance, resulting in lower productiv-

ity. The statistics are indisputable, and

close observation reveals evidence for

these statistics in the workplace. What

can be done?

The loss may not be in the millions, as in

the case of the British banker who lost ten

million dollars of his bank’s money in a mis-

speculation after enjoying a few too many

during his lunch break. But the problem is

still the same: it is rarely possible to realisti-

cally estimate the effects of actions and deci-

sions made under the influence of alcohol.

alcohol and its effects

The consumption of even minimal quanti-

ties of alcohol begins to affect performance.

“With a concentration of just 0.2 mg

of alcohol per milliliter of blood, perfor-

mance starts to suffer, but the willingness

to take risks increases and perception is

impaired,” explains GROB company physi-

cian Dr.Pawlitzki. At levels above 0.5 mg/

ml, the ability to concentrate is reduced,

reaction time is increased, and people start

to overestimate their abilities. A person with

a blood alcohol level over 1 mg/ml experi-

ences significant performance impairment,

a narrowed field of vision (tunnel vision),

loss of balance, and slurred speech. “It is

not surprising that employees’ alcohol con-

sumption has a serious effect on the work-

ing atmosphere, work safety, productivity,

and work processes,” Dr. Pawlitzki goes on.

The concentration of alcohol in the blood-

stream reaches its peak about one to two

hours after it is consumed. The concentra-

tion of alcohol in the bloodstream is the

most important factor in determining the

effect of alcohol on the human body (see

table).

alcohol in the workplace –

the figures are telling

Statistics show that absenteeism is 16 times

higher among employees who drink exces-

sively. They call in sick 2.5 times more often,

are involved in 3.5 times more many acci-

dents at work, and perform at levels 25%

below that of their coworkers. It is estimated

that 5% of all employees are alcoholics

and another 10% are in serious danger

of becoming so. Some 11% of employees

drink alcohol at work every day, and 41%

do so occasionally.

This is cause for serious concern from both

the employment and the insurance perspec-

tives. According to the accident prevention

regulations (Principles of Prevention § 15

Paras. 2 and 3, BGV A1), employees are

forbidden from inducing in themselves

through the consumption of alcohol, drugs

or other narcotic substances any condition

that might result in their endangering them-

selves or others. Anyone who has an acci-

dent while working under the influence of

alcohol or medication may lose their right to

continued payment of their salary or wages

and be held personally liable for damages

to property or injury to people. Aside from

these financial considerations, employ-

ees are also exposing themselves to legal

proceedings. They may be held criminally

responsible for personal injury or driving

under the influence. Their supervisors and

coworkers may also be held liable if they do

not intervene (for example if they know that

a coworker has consumed alcohol but do

not prevent him/her from returning to work

or driving a car).

alcohol in the workplace –

What can be done?

In the interest of operational order and

safety, all employees must do their part to

ensure that the workplace is free of addic-

tive substances such as alcohol, drugs or

medications. Every individual in the com-

pany, whether skilled or unskilled employee,

manager or director, has a personal respon-

siblity for this.

All managers must respond and act as nec-

essary when…

… an employee at work clearly shows signs

of the effects of alcohol (alcohol abuse)

… an employee is behaving in a way that

indicates alcohol may be the cause, even if

this is not initially admitted to be the case

(alcohol dependence)

… the employee’s condition represents a

threat in the workplace; in this case, the

employee must be relieved of his/her duties,

and arrangements must be made to get

him/her home safely; punishment under the

applicable labor laws must be instituted as

necessary.

alcohol in the workplace –

no thank you!

The consumption of alcohol during working

hours has negative effects on the work-

ing atmosphere, workplace safety, work

processes, and operational productivity. ,

Even the smallest quantities of alcohol can

be dangerous, particularly in activities that

require keen responses and motor skills,

such as operating machinery or vehicles.

Anyone who consumes alcohol during

working hours also risks losing his job and

source of income.

gROB cOmPANy PhysIcIAN alcohol prevention decreases accidents and increases productivity

The key aims of a joint venture

between Mindelheim Middle School

and GROB’s training department are

to further long-standing strengthen

ties and to ensure the recruitment

of specialist vocational trainees

in the future. It is an agreement

which falls within the “Come with

ME” project, an initiative sponsored

by the Bavarian Business Education

Centre (BBW).

The idea behind the project is simple,

and the objectives are clear: In a kind

of mentoring arrangement, GROB

trainees accompany students at Mind-

elheim Middle School in all phases of

their career guidance from the fifth

grade onwards, thereby providing the

youngsters with a fascinating insight

into the technical trades. The aim is

to awaken an interest in technology

and to raise the students’ awareness

of the opportunities and requirements

of a training position in our company.

The motto of this project is “Interest –

Inform – Try it out”. GROB trainees, act-

ing as ambassadors for their employer,

go back into the schools. They discuss

their work with students as equals and

might even make their first work piece

together. It’s a win-win situation for

everyone involved. The GROB trainees

get their first experience showcasing

their company to the outside world,

while students receive basic informa-

tion about training in technical compa-

nies from people of their own age. In

return, this project provides companies

with another practical opportunity to

secure the next generation of skilled

technicians.

collaboration with mindelheim

middle school

We at GROB needed no convinc-

ing about the value of this initiative,

so last autumn of year we converted

the idea into a co-operative agree-

ment with Mindelheim Middle School.

“The reasons for entering into this

co-operative agreement with Mind-

elheim Middle School were obvious,”

says Werner Drexel, GROB’s director

of training. “We have had good rela-

tions with the school for a long time

and we know each other well.” At a

preliminary workshop, possible joint

projects for inclusion in the curriculum

were discussed and a project entitled

“Hot wire” was chosen as the first

exercise because it required mechanical

and electrical components. In the next

stage, GROB introduced itself to two

7th grade classes at the school. Twelve

interested teachers were then given the

chance to visit the factory and to get

a first impression of how an industrial

company works.

trainees as trainers

Once the materials needed for the

first project had been ordered through

the school or prepared by GROB, the

“Hot wire” project was launched in

the craft rooms at Mindelheim School.

A 7th grade class was divided into

two groups, and two GROB trainees

accompanied each group. Both sets of

12 students became trainees for a day,

receiving help from GROB apprentices

in such practical activities as marking

up, drilling, deburring, bending and

assembling. The “Hot wire” project

was completed over the course of two

school days, with three lessons on each

day. Not all the students were able to

finish the work piece during this period,

but they had the chance to complete it

in their next workshop lesson. Future

activities are being planned and imple-

mented in consultation with the teach-

ing staff responsible, subject to opera-

tional availability/capacity. Because the

collaborative venture with Mindelheim

Middle School went so well, a repeat

project with a parallel class has been

scheduled for the current calendar

year.

come with mE – an important

junior-level initiative

The importance of such initiatives can-

not be underestimated. This is becom-

ing abundantly clear in light of the

current shortage of specialist skills.

In Germany, for example, despite the

tough economic situation last year, no

fewer than 34,000 engineering posts

went unfilled. Skilled new entrants are

urgently needed in Germany across

the sectors – especially for technical

apprenticeships. This is exactly where

the Come with ME young skilled worker

initiative comes in.

gROB TRAININg come with mE – GROB to work with mindelheim middle school

InFORmatIOn

The Come with ME project is an initiative sponsored by the Bavar-ian Electrical and Metalworking Corporate Federation (bayme) and the Bavarian and Electrical Industrial Federation (vbm). It is overseen and implemented by the Bavarian Busi-ness Education Centre (BBW).

Sarah Beusch is the first woman ever

to begin an apprenticeship at GROB as

an industrial mechanic specializing in

machine and plant construction. Many

have applied in the past, but Sarah is

the first young lady to actually sign the

articles of apprenticeship.

Even today, many young people are still guided

in their career choices by traditional patterns

of thinking. For example, young women tend

to opt for professions that are conventionally

associated with females. Training in a techni-

cal discipline appears rather less appealing

to them. In order to engage the potential of

women in technical careers, technology must

be presented to them in the right way. They

must be convinced that this promising field is

worth exploring and inspired to take a deeper

interest in things technical. Sarah Beusch has

now become the first apprentice to decide to

pursue a technical career at GROB. We talked

to her about her choice:

How did you come to choose this career

path?

Even as a small child, I used to loving tinker-

ing with cars, and I knew that I wanted to

learn more about the technical or mechanical

side of things.

Did you have any other career ideas?

How many applications did you write?

Yes, I thought about becoming an automo-

bile or aircraft mechanic. In all, I applied for

about six or seven different positions.

What kind of responses did you encoun-

ter in pursuing your chosen career (appli-

cations, interviews)?

I had job interviews with car manufacturers

and at the military airbase in Kaufbeuren. I

was offered a position at Kaufbeuren, but

some other companies turned me down

because they did not have restroom facilities

for women.

How have you been received by your fel-

low trainees?

They are all very nice to me, and we get on

well together. I’ve now become good friends

with some of them, and we go on trips

together at the weekend.

What are your impressions of the train-

ing up to now?

Up to now, I have found the training entirely

enjoyable and interesting.

If you had to make your career choice

over again, would you make the same

decision?

Perhaps not exactly. I would probably take

the technical school-leaving examination, so

that I would have the chance to do advanced

studies later on, but my choice of career

would be the same.

gROB TRAININg sarah Beusch – the first female industrial mechanic at GROB

sarah Beusch: the company‘s first female industrial mechanic apprentice

GROB‘s training partner: mindelheim middle school

... and the first source of information in technical training

GROB trainees are ambassadors for the company ... < 0,2 ‰ Subject experiences reduced inhibitions and becomes more talkative

> 0,3 ‰ Initial impairments such as limitation of the field of vision and difficulty estimat-ing distances

> 0,5 ‰ Significantly impaired reaction capabil-ity (reaction time) particularly to red signals (red light weakness)

> 0,8 ‰ Initial difficulty with balance, narrowed field of vision, marked loss of inhibition

1,0 to

1,5 ‰

Speech impairment, willingness to take excessive risks, increased aggression

2,0 to

2,5 ‰

Significant deterioration of coordina-tion and balance, slurred speech

> 2,5 ‰ Clouding of consciousness, signs of paralysis, double vision and loss of ability to remember

> 3,5 ‰ Life-threatening conditions; there is a risk of paralysis of the respiratory cen-ter, which can lead to coma or death

Edition

01/10Edition

July10

9

Nineteen new Works Committee

members have been elected from a

list of 46 candidates. The new Works

Committee chairman is Anton Heiler;

deputy chairperson is Ms. Carmen

Rösch. Roughly 67% of the work-

force voted in the election.

Every four years, and always in March,

GROB elects a new Works Committee.

The Works Council Constitution Act

stipulates that five Works Committee

members (this is based on the size of

the labor force) must be released from

their duties and may work full time at

their committee functions. In the 2010

Works Committee election, 67% of the

workforce voted – seven percent more

than four years ago. “Once again the

election was conducted flawlessly,” said

Anton Heiler. “This is due in large part

to the efforts of the election committee

and its volunteer helpers. In the name

of the entire Works Committee, I would

like to offer them our sincere thanks for

their support. The Works Committee

will continue to carry out its duties with

integrity and on an equal footing with

the executive management of the com-

pany, working to protect the interests of

the workforce and for the benefit of all

employees.”

carmen Rösch, first woman in the

GROB Works committee leadership

position

The duly constituted meeting of the new

Works Committee was convened on

April 22, 2010. At this meeting, Anton

Heiler was elected Works Committee

chairman. To everyone’s immense sur-

prise, the deputy chairman of the last

period, Bernhard Senner, who also held

several honorary offices with IG Metall,

was not reelected. The committee voted

to replace Senner with newly elected

Works Committee member Ms. Carmen

Rösch. This means that for the first time

in the history of the company, a woman

has been elected to a full-time Works

Committee office. The five full-time

officers of the Works Committee, that

is to say the five members appointed by

the committee, are, in addition to Mr.

Anton Heiler and Ms. Carmen Rösch,

Mr. Werner Jensch, Mr. Dieter Schüßler,

and Mr. Michael Goldberg. With the

election of the working committee – the

management of the Works Committee

– the new committee was legally com-

petent to exercise its functions at the

start of the new period of office on May

21, 2010.

Works committee chairman’s

review is positive

Incoming Works Committee chairman

Anton Heiler characterized the previ-

ous term as positive overall. However,

it was generally an extremely difficult

period for our company, and also for the

workforce. The editorial staff is pleased

to publish the remarks of the Mr. Anton

Heiler in their entirety:

Altered working conditions in many

areas of the company: Due to the

steady decline in the prices of our prod-

ucts, the company endured a period of

severe pressure to rationalize, which

had begun as early as 2004. In structural

terms, efforts were made to standardize

in modules as far as possible. In order to

derive the full benefit from this, many

areas were altered, some substantially.

The structures in the assembly area were

almost completely reorganized. Assem-

bly Hall 3 was converted into a preas-

sembly area, and with the introduction

of SynPro – today’s GPS – the working

conditions of a very large number of

employees changed permanently.

Industrial premises and taxation: The

“taxation of fees and per diem payments

abroad” is the second major topic that

has occupied the energies of the Works

Committee since 2006. The subject of

“founding industrial premises abroad”

was entirely unexplored territory for

everyone involved. A tax consultancy

was engaged to carry out a “shadow

calculation” of the actual tax revenue

for Germany, so that a comparison could

be set up with the tax revenue from

abroad. The overriding principle for the

Works Committee was that company

employees who work abroad should not

have tax disadvantages compared to

domestic employees. Without the full

support of the payroll department, we

would probably not be able to say today

that we have reached a point where

everything is under control.

Introduction of the remuneration

framework agreement (ERA): In 2007

we began preparations for introducing

the ERA. Following about two years of

hard work and numerous negotiations

with Human Resources Management,

the jointly implemented remuneration

framework agreement went into effect

on April 1, 2009. The enormous effort,

reflected in almost 200 meetings, paid

off. The time limit the Works Commit-

tee deliberately imposed upon itself – to

conclude before the economic situation

worsened again – was also the correct

decision. Compared to other compa-

nies, we did very well.

Economic and financial crisis: Almost

at the same time as the ERA implementa-

tion was completed, we were overtaken

by the economic and financial crisis.

Executive Management and the Works

Committee worked together to reduce

overtime and temporary employee lev-

els, and we made deep cut backs in

outsourcing. A short work week was

implemented for a year in order to

further reduce capacity. The overrid-

ing principle of the Works Committee

was to avoid workforce reductions for

operational reasons, and in this we were

successful. It should be noted that we

did have one advantage: Executive Man-

agement had taken the lessons learned

in 1993 to heart. In this latest crisis as

then, skilled technicians must already

be in place when orders begin picking

up. As a result – also in comparison with

our competitors – we emerged from the

crisis overall relatively unscathed.

Performance appraisals: The last

major issue was a new performance

appraisal system. This project was suc-

cessful completed in March 2010 after

a year of negotiations.

In summary: The last four-year term of

service of the Works Committee was

the most difficult and work-intensive

period of the thirty years. At this point,

I would like to thank first and foremost

the Works Committee. Even if we did

not always agree – which is also an

important function of the committee in

the decision-making process – we still

continued to work together for a com-

mon purpose, and I think that together

we did a very good job. I would also like

to thank the Executive Management

and Human Resources for their unstint-

ing cooperation.

Anton Heiler

gROB wORks cOmmITTEE Works committee chairman’s review is positive

Works committee officers (from left to right): michael Goldberg, anton heiler, carmen Rösch, Werner Jensch, Dieter schüssler

and lightweight construction, and this

will once again require modifications

to machine technology. All this means

new opportunities for our company.

Another important field of activity for

GROB is after-sales and service. Today’s

market does not demand much in the

way of special machinery. Customers

want easily configurable, adaptable kit

with a wide variety of capabilities; they

can and must be flexibly convertible.

In the past, mechanics and electricians

used to build and retrofit machinery.

Nowadays it is much more a case of

modifying equipment, processes (work

sequences and tools) and NC programs.

And with that comes, among other

things, a massive shift in the demands

we place on our co-workers, particularly

in the service area.

GROB sales and marketing strategy

Economic growth, changes to mar-

kets and ever tougher competition

have resulted in the strong emphasis

on standard machines within Grob’s

sales department. This part of our

sales department will continue to “go

global.” In the main markets, our

branches and factories have already

been successful in putting in place sales

networks for standard machines, as the

order for eight G350s by GMA (German

Metal Automotive Accessories) in Tian-

jian/China proves.

These successes accurately reflect the

fine reputation GROB products enjoy

worldwide. In order to further increase

the recognition level of the GROB brand

in the standard machine business, we

will be making our presence felt much

more forcefully at trade fairs and other

After successfully overcoming what

has generally been a very difficult

economic year, GROB is now going

on the offensive: we have set our-

selves some ambitious targets, com-

mand a fine range of products and

are launching a strategically-retar-

geted marketing campaign. With

this fully-focused strategy, GROB

Sales is effectively standing up to

the tough challenges of the past

few months.

Markets worldwide felt the negative

impact of the economic downturn, and

it wasn’t long until orders started to drop

off. Even Asia weakened, although the

slump there was not as sustained as in

some western countries. Asian markets,

with China in the vanguard, recovered

very quickly. “At least in those mar-

kets, the pressure did abate,” reflected

Jochen Nahl, GROB’s Sales and Market-

ing director. “By the end of last year,

between October and December, we

were starting to pick up a few orders

on the international scene,” he added.

However, most of these orders had been

at the tendering or preparation stage

before the crisis began. Orders from

new customers – some of them wholly

unexpected – came in especially from

China, including clients such as Great

Wall or Wuxi Best.

GROB products have a fine reputa-

tion and incorporate sound innova-

tive developments

There has tended to be downward

pressure on prices with these orders –

largely as a result of the general market

situation of the plast two years. But

thanks to our products’ fine reputa-

tion for reliability and quality, we were

able to win more major contracts in the

truck sector (such as Detroit Diesel and

Daimler Mannheim) and in the automo-

bile sector (such as BMW Steyr). In the

standard machine sector, we managed

to break through into the aeronautics

industry (Premium Aerotech) and also

into the sphere of medical technology

(Aesculap). The completion of these

orders is a welcome challenge for 2010.

Because orders were cancelled last year,

we had a temporary order lead time

of only seven months. Fortunately, we

have now returned to a lead-in time

of eleven months. But even so, the

strength of the current situation should

not be overestimated. All the knock-on

effects of the recent past have still not

been overcome. Admittedly demand

has increased, and there are new

opportunities for further orders, but

low prices will almost certainly be with

us for another year.

the automotive sector continues to

be GROB’s core business

The system business in the automo-

tive and supplier industry will continue

to be our company’s mainstay for the

foreseeable future. Despite electrifi-

cation and downsizing, there will be

further developments to the internal

combustion engine. And every further

development brings more changes:

vehicle chassis are modified and new

materials are used. The world market

in internal combustion engines is not

going to get any smaller. Countries

such as China, Russia and India will

take care of that. As engines get more

efficient, there will have to be cuts in

total emissions, and that will mean fur-

ther investment. Moreover, there will

be further developments to drives and

chassis. In every vehicle, there will still

be wheel mountings, swivel bearings,

structural components or axle transmis-

sions, for example, and these will need

to be machined. Technology is moving

in the direction of alternative materials

the sales team play a vital part in the company‘s success

gROB sALEs sales pass the acid test as GROB prepares for the future

Works committee members

01 Anton Heiler

02 Carmen Rösch

03 Sonja Hofmann

04 Werner Jensch

05 Bernhard Senner

06 Max Müller

07 Josef Reiser

08 Franz Mayer

09 Wilhelm Lang

10 Michael Goldberg

11 Günther Haslacher

12 Erich Seitz

13 Dieter Schüßler

14 Richard Hoyer

15 Ulrich Guggenmos

16 Werner Stärz

17 Axel Schuster

18 Michael Holderried

19 Rainer Weibler

Works committee members

01 Anton Heiler

02 Carmen Rösch

03 Michael Goldberg

04 Sonja Hofmann

05 Werner Jensch

06 Josef Reiser

07 Wilhelm Lang

events in the future. Another key fac-

tor in the GROB marketing strategy

is that, in addition to engine blocks,

cylinder heads, gearbox housings and

clutch housings, we will also be look-

ing more closely at other parts in the

chassis area in order to achieve further

formal verification within our existing

customer bases. New areas of activity

include the machining of alternative

materials such as composites and the

further development of “integrated

processes.” By integrated processes we

mean such developments as the preci-

sion machining and honing of cylinder

bores on the same machine or the turn

mill machining of cubic work pieces.

Prospects for 2010/2011 and

conclusion

In the months ahead there will be many

genuine enquiries which may well con-

vert into orders. If demand remains

stable, we should soon reach a situa-

tion where we have a lead-in time of

12-14 months on orders. All things

considered, we can say that in relation

to the development of the market as a

whole, our company has overcome the

turbulence of recent months, in large

part because we anticipated events

and dealt with the situation effectively.

GROB continues to show growth poten-

tial and demonstrate great flexibility.

Our products are not only competitive;

they are, technologically speaking, miles

ahead. In the near future it is vital that

we continue to build on the competitive

edge we enjoy in terms of developmen-

tal technology and to shorten our order

throughput by means of greater stan-

dardization, thereby further increasing

the efficiency of our company.

Expanding sales activities in India

the sales directors from Brazil and mindelheim visiting GROB mexico

Edition

01/10

12

Edition

01/10

11

A steady stream of trade fairs, semi-

nars and press conferences. Since

September of last year, the sales

team for standard machines, led by

Rudolf Dreer and Peter Hermanns,

has spearheaded an unbroken series

of four-week-long publicity events.

This represents the most ambitious

marketing campaign ever under-

taken for the company’s standard

machines, and its success is already

apparent.

FENAF, max, PK G550, EUROMOLD,

METAV or TSWF are not just so many

cryptic and unpronounceable abbre-

viations in the standard machines busi-

ness. They stand for the major events

and trade fairs held since last Sep-

tember which GROB either organized

or at which the company successfully

presented its standard machines. This

sustained campaign on so many fronts

is unparalleled in the recent history

of GROB standard machines. A major

event has been held practically every

four weeks for the last ten months,

and our organization has been in atten-

dance, either represented by our staff or

running an exhibition stand. In the first

six months of 2010, we presented our

standard machines at three trade fairs:

in Düsseldorf (METAV), Hannover (the

Hannover Trade Fair), and Moscow (Met-

alloobrabotka). There were also exhibi-

tions in India as well as almost count-

less groups of visitors who attended

seminars and presentations about inno-

vations in GROB standard machines in

the recently completed Technology and

Application Center (TAZ), deployed to

Hall 8 for the purpose.

G550 achieves market

breakthrough at mEtaV

The first event in this year’s trade fair

marathon took place on February 23

at the Internationale Messe für Ferti-

gungstechnik und Automatisierung, or

METAV for short, in Düsseldorf. Based

on our market experience with the

G350, we were hoping for an excellent

response when we unveiled the G550

to the technical community. And at the

end of the five-day event, our sales team

returned to Mindelheim with their hopes

fully realized: the trade media predicted

a successful future for the new “big”

five-axis multipurpose G550, and the

response of trade fair visitors in Düssel-

dorf was unanimously enthusiastic. The

GROB team’s hard work paid off. In a

discipline that is still relatively new to

them, the standard machine business,

their performance was outstanding,

and the reactions of the visitors to the

trade fair clearly reflected their deep

faith in GROB’s capabilities, including

standard machinery. Thus Düsseldorf

represented more than just a techni-

cal breakthrough; it showed that our

company has successfully transformed

its image from GROB the system pro-

vider to GROB the standard machine

company.

G350 impresses seminar guests

at the taZ

By the time all the inquiries from Düs-

seldorf been processed in Mindelheim,

the registration deadline for our tech-

nology seminar “Building tools and

molds” was upon us, so we had very

little time to relax. The number of

registrations – 40 participants from

25 companies – had already exceeded

our expectations. But when 50 attend-

ees showed up and filled the seminar

room in Hall 8 to overflowing, we were

amazed. This response inspired the

standard machines sales team to even

greater efforts in explaining the opera-

tional advantages of the G350 to the

enthusiastic participants.

The all-day seminar on March 25 had

a full program. Presenters particularly

emphasized the importance of our

highly dynamic five-axis machine with

horizontal spindle for mold construc-

tion. Other topics included rough-cut-

ting waste material and product infor-

mation about the latest generation of

high-performance roughing tools. The

evening agenda included a tour of the

plant, which was also received with

unexpected enthusiasm. Not one of the

participants wanted to miss this oppor-

tunity, and we had to break the tour up

into four groups.

GROB as siemens cooperation

partner at the hannover trade Fair

At this year’s Hannover Trade Fair from

April 19-23, GROB was a cooperation

partner with Siemens and represented

at the Siemens stand with a G350. In

gROB mARkETINg“sustainable value” of the GROB marketing campaign

GROB puts on an impressive show at mEtaV 2010

technology day at the taZ, GROB‘s technology and application center - christian Grob and Rudolf Dreer with some enthusiastic seminar attendees

keeping with the theme “more effi-

cient, more productive, more durable,”

the Siemens presentation was dedi-

cated to profitable management and

the economic use of resources. Using

the reinforcement panel from the hood

of a VW Tiguan as an example, Siemens

demonstrated its capabilities through-

out the entire process chain. Siemens

wanted to demonstrate the milling of

the pressing rams for this panel as part

of this process, so they had approached

us long before the trade fair and asked

if we could provide them with a G350

that would be operated by the Sie-

mens 840D sl controller and the latest

software version. At the same time,

the workpiece was scaled down from

the size of a car hood so that the ram

would fit our G350. One ram was fitted

to the machine to demonstrate five-axis

machining, and a second was placed as

a static exhibit beside the machine.

For our purposes, the G350’s position

right in the middle of the Siemens trade

fair stand was absolutely perfect. The

G350 was set up directly in front of the

stage used for the half-hourly broad-

casts by television presenters Carsten

Schwenke and Ingo Nommsen, so it

was constantly included in the televised

images. In addition to the presentations,

a series of guided tours with headset

commentary led past the machine, so

more than 2,000 visitors walked past it

over the course of the event. VIP visitors

included politicians Rainer Brüderle, the

German Federal Minister for Econom-

ics and Technology; Christian Wulf,

the Chief Minister of Lower Saxony;

Uwe Frank, the Senator for Econom-

ics for the City of Berlin; and Matthias

Machnig, the Economy Minister of

Thuringia. Business leaders were also

in attendance: Dr. Jochem Heizmann,

member of the Board of Management

of Volkswagen AG with responsibility

for group production; several VW plant

managers; and Ulrich Klein, manag-

ing director of Feinmechanik-Klein and

a GROB customer. It was he who had

lent us his G350 to use at the Hannover

Trade Fair.

All in all, the trade fair was an outstand-

ing platform on which to promote the

image of our company – not only our

standard machines business – even if

no machine tools were actually on dis-

play at the event.

Our moscow trade Fair team (from left to right): ludmila kisenkowa (I.l.m.), tilo Ussner, Vladimir kolesnikov (I.l.m.), Olesia ababkova (catering), Peter hermanns

hanover trade Fair: center of attention: the G350

DÜSSELDORF HanOvER

MOScOwSaO PaOLO

ZDF presenter carsten schwanke at hanover trade Fair

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Initially built as a technology and

application center (TAZ) for present-

ing our products to our customers,

and thus primarily as a marketing

instrument, the hub of the GROB

standard machinery business has

evolved gratifyingly to become the

central experimental and testing

facility for innovative technolo-

gies. There is hardly a material in

existence that has not at one time

or another been machined on one

of the GROB G350 or G550 standard

machines.

Since its completion about two years

ago, a wide variety of test machinings

have been carried out in the TAZ for

an equally wide range of industries.

The spectrum of items extends from

bone pliers and pick holders for medical

technology to integrated components

for the aviation industry or turbine

blades for gas and aircraft turbines,

from bottle moulds for filling plants to

tool dies for pressing plants, and from

machining knives for sausage machines

to flywheels for Formula 1 race cars.

The unrivaled stability of our kinemat-

ics has proven its superiority time and

time again. This, combined with other

features such as the machines’ excellent

chip removal functions, is in large part

responsible for their extended service

life. The extremely high precision has

impressed customers who build trans-

missions with planet gear carriers and

chamfered gearwheels just as much as

customers from the world of motor-

sports when machining polygons, which

requires exceptional spatial precision.

Enormous application possibilities

The TAZ is also the perfect venue for

demonstrating the superiority of the

G350 and G550 in terms of precision,

dynamics and finish. In production

operations where “floor-to-floor time”

is held at a premium, our “G-force”

can hold its own against highly dynamic

machines with linear drive. In the TAZ

, surfaces with the lowest possible sur-

face roughness in medical technology

as well as visible surfaces of fine fittings

are machined under the critical eye of

the users. The demonstration program

also includes special technology appli-

cations, such as freely programmable

U-axis systems that are capable of any

contour or turning operation on non-

rotationally symmetrical parts, and even

interpolation turning.

material machining without limits

To keep pace with the development of

materials, we have equipped one G350

at the TAZ for machining carbon fiber

materials such as carbon-fiber reinforced

plastic (CFK). We installed a powerful

vacuum system with controlled air feed

system via the headstock and cabin as

well as an air curtain and overpressure.

These prevent the harsh milling dust

from getting into and damaging the

switchgear cabinet, the control panel,

the machine covers, or the guides. In

addition, the TAZ uses an extremely wide

range of materials, from high strength

aluminum to alloyed, heat-resistant tool

steels, and even titanium. In the TAZ,

we have machined materials that were

previously considered “uncuttable.”

services and service always the

number one priority

At the moment, four application engi-

neers are presenting three different con-

trollers (Heidenhain, Siemens, Fanuc) in

the TAZ. The Hypermill CAD/CAM soft-

ware by Open Mind is being used to pro-

gram five-axis simultaneous programs,

and users are being shown a number of

different dynamic parameter sets. They

enable us to make highly dynamic pro-

duction parts or, alternatively, molded

parts, depending on requirements.

And there are plenty of examples of

this. The TAZ developed a special inter-

polation turning cycle for one customer.

Another customer, who machines ball

bearing cages, needed a swappable

U-axis so that users could perform turn-

ing operations. The TAZ even introduced

and successfully implemented new con-

trol functions such as “measure kine-

matics” to optimize spatial accuracy in

space.

The GROB technology and applica-

tion center is a state-of-the-art training

and presentation facility and, as such,

a key element of GROB’s market strat-

egy in this sector. Now outfitted with

all the modern presentation equipment

conceivable, the TAZ is also a choice

venue for regular meetings, seminars

and other events. At the heart of the

very latest machine building technology,

GROB demonstrates what leading edge

“Made in Germany” machine building

can do.

gROB TAZ the hub of the latest machine building technology

G-force at work in our technology and application center machining parts for ...

...and machine construction.

America’s economy is weakened,

Brazil’s is up and coming, and China’s

is booming. The economic revival in

GROB’s main non-European mar-

kets is proceeding at vastly differ-

ent rates.

Both in Europe and around the world,

the automotive and supplier industry is

slowly emerging from the worst reces-

sion in its history – but it is happen-

ing at different speeds. In America, the

motor industry is revving up very slowly,

while in Brazil and especially China, it

has been racing ahead for months.

the Us economy is growing at a

moderate pace

With unemploy-

ment at almost

10 percent and

domestic consumer

spending at a very

low ebb, the US economy is finding it

hard to get back into gear. Even so, the

US automotive industry is faring a little

better than a year ago. About 12 mil-

lion vehicles have been registered so

far this year. Ford and GM are riding

high with enviable double-digit growth

rates, but these are in comparison to

the extremely low level the previous

year.

Against this background, we can expect

to see increased investment in the sys-

tems business this year and next, at

least among the major American auto-

motive manufacturers. And GROB can

expect to be part of this investment.

We are currently in talks with Volkswa-

gen, GM, Fiat and Chrysler. The largest

contract currently on the go at GROB’s

Bluffton factory is from Detroit Diesel,

with delivery starting in the autumn of

china – Boom time in the land of

the dragon

The Chinese auto-

motive industry

has recovered from

the recession much

more quickly than

its competitors in

western countries, and the prospects

continue to be impressive. Plans are

in place for an annual production of

20 million vehicles by 2020, and that

means massive investments by all vehi-

cle manufacturers. The Volkswagen

group, which operates various produc-

tion and assembly plants in China, is

planning to expand output from 1.2

million vehicles (15% market share)

to 2 million vehicles by 2014, thereby

retaining its market share. As new gen-

erations of engines and drives keep

reaching the production stage, enqui-

ries and orders are increasing sharply.

Enquiries and orders are in the pipeline

from customers such as FAW-VW and

FAW Car Corp. (both in Changchun),

VW FAW in Dalian, BAIC - Beijing Auto-

motive Industry Corporation and Foton

in Beijing, Chery in Wuhu, Great Wall

in Baoding, FAWDE in Wuxi and GMA

in Tianjian, as well as from compa-

nies in and around Shanghai, such as

SDEC (Shanghai Diesel Engine Corp.),

SAIC Motors, SGM (Shanghai General

Motors), Shanghai VW in Anting, VW

Powertrain (VWPT) in LouTang and VW

Transmission in Jiading, to name just

a few. We can draw only one conclu-

sion: demand is high. With its double-

digit growth rates, China continues to

surprise us all. It is a country investing

on a grand scale and committed to an

integrated infrastructure. It is a coun-

try with a growing middle class that

has rising expectations. Their demand

for mobility and a car of their own is

a desire that will see strong continued

growth.

this year. Ancillary assembly machines

are also currently in the Bluffton deliv-

ery schedule and destined for Daim-

ler AG in Mannheim. As for standard

machines, we supplied our first G350

to a customer in the medical technol-

ogy sector in March of this year.

the up-and-coming market in Brazil

The Brazilian econ-

omy is thriving.

The value of the

Brazilian real has

increased in value

by 12% in the

past six months.

This appreciation benefits the Brazil-

ian domestic market, but it also makes

exports more expensive. That’s why

our colleagues at B.GROB do Brasil will

have to wait a little longer for machine

investment : the upturn in the systems

business will be gradual, and the stan-

dard business is still in the start-up

phase. A welcome development in this

area is an order to supply a new gen-

eration assembly line for Volkswagen

for the first time ever. The modular,

standardized carrier units, which keep

assembly and dismantling work to a

minimum (“plug and play”), will hold

the all manual and automatic stations.

Delivery is scheduled for August/Sep-

tember 2010, with production due to

start in November 2010. Furthermore,

GROB do Brasil is supplying V&M with

a special machine for the “end machin-

ing” of pipes used in the oil industry.

In this case delivery date is December

2010. All in all, because of its strong

product range and its 50-year presence

in Brazil, GROB continues to enjoy a

very good reputation. We will continue

to work with all our might to maintain

that.

gROB sALEs aBc countries emerging from the recession at different rates

GROB on a visit to camc in maanshan, china: (from left to right) Biao Wang (GROB shanghai), yiqun Jiang (camc), German Wankmiller, Jochen nahl, honZhi Ren (GROB Beijing), Biao Wang (camc)

...tool and mold-making,

...the aviation and space industry,

...medical technology,

Edition

01/10

GROB systEms Bluffton, Ohio, USA

GROB mEXIcO saltillo, Mexico

GROB-WERkE mindelheim, Germany

GROB machInE tOOls Wellesbourne, Great Britain

GROB kOREa seoul, South Korea

GROB machInE tOOls shanghai, China

GROB machInE tOOls Beijing, China

B. GROB DO BRasIl são Paulo, Brazil

mindelheim Plant são Paulo Plant Bluffton Plant

www.grobgroup.com

wE‘RE hERE fOR yOu - ALL AROuND ThE wORLD

GROB chennai, India

GROB moscow, Russia

GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KGIndustriestraße 487719 MindelheimGermanyTelefon: +49 8261 996-0 Telefax: +49 8261 996-268E-Mail: info@de.grobgroup.com

GROB MACHINE TOOLS (BEIJING) CO., LTD.SHANGHAI OFFICE Yin Xi Road 369 LaneNo. 100, Building CSong Jiang High Technology ParkShanghai 201615V.R. CHINA Telefon: +86 21 376330-18Telefax: +86 21 376331-43E-Mail: shanghai@grobgroup.com

B. GROB DO BRASIL S.A.Av. Caminho do Mar, 1811S. Bernardo do CampoSão Paulo 09609-000Brazil Telefon: +55 11 436791-00Telefax: +55 11 436791-01E-Mail: info@br.grobgroup.com

GROB MACHINE TOOLS (BEIJING) CO., LTD.No. 502 Tian Chuang Shi YuanHui Zhong Bei LiChao Yang DistrictBeijing 100012V.R. CHINATelefon: +86 10 648037-11 Telefax: +86 10 648037-13 E-Mail: info@cn.grobgroup.com

GROB KOREA CO., LTD. Room 507, SiHwa Hitech #1234-7, JeongWang-Dong SiHeung-Si Gyeonggi-Do 429-912 Republic of South Korea Telefon: +82 31 8041-3130Telefax: +82 31 8041-3128E-Mail: info@kr.grobgroup.com

GROB SYSTEMS, INC.Machine Tool Division1070, Navajo DriveBluffton, Ohio 45817U.S.A.Telefon: +1 419 358015Telefax: +1 419 3693331E-Mail: info@us.grobgroup.com

GROB MEXICO S.A. de C.V. Blvd. Donaldo Colosio No.240 Fracc. Valle Real 25205 Saltillo, Coah. Mexico Telefon: +52 844 4850-136Telefax: +52 844 4850-139E-Mail: info@mx.grobgroup.com

GROB MACHINE TOOLS U.K. LTD.Wellesbourne House #24WellesbourneWarwickshire CV35 9JBGreat BritainTelefon: +44 1789 4700-47Telefax: +44 1789 4701-76E-Mail: info@uk.grobgroup.com

EDITORIAL

GROB INTERNATIONAL Christmas edition 02/09

PUBLISHER:GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG Mindelheim

CONTACT:Marketing & PRTelefon +49 8261 996-9734Telefax +49 8261 996-441info@de.grobgroup.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:Dr. Klaus Mäusl (RL)

ARTICLES: Robert A. ThiemT M E, Team für Marketing-Erfolge Rechberghausenwww.tme.at

PHOTOS:GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG MindelheimT M E, Team für Marketing-Erfolge RechberghausenDieter RebmannRebmann Photography

LAYOUT AND REALISATION:inPublic Werbung & PR GmbH Innsbruckwww.inpublic.at

PRINT:Holzer Druck und Medien Druckerei und Zeitungsverlag GmbH + Co. KG D-88171 Weiler im Allgäu www.druckerei-holzer.de