Behind every successful automation project lies a good idea – and a powerful control system.
With the SOFLEX production control system, companies can manage their production efficiently, transparently, and with confidence in the future. The following reference projects show how versatile SOFLEX is in practice – from individual machines to highly automated production cells.
See how our customers use SOFLEX to network their processes, shorten throughput times, and lay the foundation for smart, digitally controlled production.
Robot cell with SOFLEX-CCS for unmanned machining of aluminum parts
End customer: Piesslinger GmbH
Industry: Metal processing
Machines: 1 Hermle machine
Automation: 1 KUKA robot
Project highlight: : Automation of a robot cell for unmanned machining of aluminum components with high tolerance requirements.
24/7 production from batch size 1 – contract manufacturer relies on a SOFLEX-controlled linear system
End customer: Trissler & Kielkopf GmbH
Industry: Contract manufacturing
Machines: 2 Hermle C 42 U
Automation: Hermle RS L robot system
Project highlight: Automated robot cell with integrated tool management for unmanned production starting from batch size 1.
Batch size 1 enabled by automation
End customer: Merz Maschinenfabrik GmbH
Industry: Manufacturing company
Machinens: 4 DMG machines
Automation: 1 KUKA robot
Project highlight: Automation of existing machines provided as a turnkey solution.
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SOFLEX revolutionises production at LIEBHERR
End customer: Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH
Industry: Mechanical engineering
Machines: 1 STARRAG HECKERT 630 und 2 GROB G350 machines
Automation: 1 Liebherr PHS system
Extras: Material management
Material management: Automation of internal production at Liebherr using the company’s own automation system.
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Automated turbine blade production with the SOFLEX control system
End customer: MTU Aero Engines AG
Industry: Aviation industry
Machines: 5 grinding cells, each with 1 BLOHM Prokos XT grinding machine
Automation: 5 grinding cells, each with 1 BLOHM Prokos XT grinding machine
Extras: 1 automated cell for shrinking and presetting tools, 2 tool lock stations
Project highlight: Flexible production of turbine blades using fully networked automation cells.
Integrated production with 12 machines and SOFLEX-MES
End customer: ROSEN Group
Industry: Manufacturing company
Machines: 12 Hermle C42 machining centres
Automation: KUKA handling for tool and pallet automation
Extras: Tool automation
Project highlight: Fully integrated manufacturing cell with 12 machining centres, integrated tool automation, and SOFLEX MES for production planning.
Fully automated milling centre for 24/7 operation
End customer: Otto Männer GmbH
Industry: Mould making
Mashines: 4 Grob G550 machines
Automation: 1 Liebherr PHS system
Extras: Tool automation
Project highlight: Complete networking and integration of existing systems into a comprehensive automation concept.
Control system for machine tool manufacturing
End customer: WALTER Maschinenbau GmbH
Industry: Mechanical engineering
Machines: 1 WALTER grinding machine, 1 WALTER measuring machine
Automation: 1 AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot)
Project highlight: SOFLEX serves as the central control system for grinding machines – ensuring consistent control and transparency in tool production.
Smart-Factory for tool holder production
End customer: Leading manufacturer of precision tool holders
Industry: Manufacturing company
Machines: 1 turning production cell, 1 milling production cell, 1 grinding production cell, 1 sawing production cell, 1 storage and retrieval area
Automation: 1 turning production cell, 1 milling production cell, 1 grinding production cell, 1 sawing production cell, 1 storage and retrieval area
Project highlight: Fully automated, unmanned 24/7 production – enabled by continuous networking of all components via the manufacturer-independent SOFLEX control system.
Fully automated production processes across multiple cells
End customer: DOEKO B.V.
Industry: Contract manufacturing
Machines: 1 Machine Fehlmann Versa 645, 1 Erodiermachine FANUC EDM
Automation: 1 GIBAS handling robot, 2 DOEKO handling robots, 1 MiR-AMR
Project highlight: Interlinking of several production cells – including machining, deburring, eroding, and central storage – with integrated AMR technology enabling unmanned 24/7 operation.
Our partnership with SOFLEX began over 20 years ago. Our very first system used a SOFLEX control system. At that time, the focus was less on software, but functions such as drag & drop pallet transports, NC program exchange and tool data management were highlights. Today, hundreds of Hermle/HLS production cells use SOFLEX software to increase productivity. Continuous further developments secure the competitive edge for future automation concepts.
Mr. Gerd Schorpp
Managing Director
The goal of our challenging project was a fully automated production of our turbine blades, including an automated supply of operating materials. SOFLEX was our partner from the beginning, with whom we jointly created the specifications for the control technology. Although the manufacturing processes of this individual system required a high degree of software customization, SOFLEX delivered and installed the control system on schedule. SOFLEX fully met our requirements for a professional approach and high-quality product.
Mr. Marc Weiß
Senior Manager Flexible Manufacturing Systems
The good cooperation between WBT and SOFLEX was decisive for the fast and successful completion of a fully automated plant with four machining centers. We defined together the requirements and the common interfaces at an early stage. In addition, we tested the software and our robot solution extensively before commissioning, so that production started successfully on schedule as planned.
Mr. Joachim Burkert
Managing Director
SOFLEX is our partner for more complex automation projects. The control system from SOFLEX meets our customers’ needs and transforms their manufacturing through digitization. Thanks to SOFLEX support in each project phase we can easily commission our systems independently. Thus, our clients profit of a high degree of automation which enables their competitive advantages.
Mr. Stefaan Poppe
Managing Director Automation
The cooperation with SOFLEX is very professional: they gather the requirements of the end users, analyze the processes and create an individual package with the necessary software functions. Thus, we can calculate our project costs accurately and offer the end user a complete automation solution.
Mr. Jochen Zipfler
Technical Director
"Our automated production lines with the SOFLEX control system are the showcase projects in our company. Due to the reliability and the performance of the control system, we work with the highest productivity and achieve incredible utilization rates on our processing machines. The outstanding ease of operation of the system is also a big plus and very appreciated by our plant personnel.
Mr. Christian Kiechle
Head of Department Smart Factory Automation
SOFLEX control systems have been in use for almost two decades in our company, in different production plants. In all this time we benefited from the support of SOFLEX experts. They maintained the systems throughout their entire service life and even took over demanding tasks when retrofitting older systems. We look forward to further innovative ideas from SOFLEX.
Stefan Holzer
Factory Planning & Processes
24/7 production has become a reality for us since the SOFLEX control system has been in use in our plant. Together with SOFLEX, we have automated existing machines. A robot system takes over the automated workpiece supply and storage of our raw material. We know exactly which preparations we have to make regarding tools, fixtures and NC programs thanks to the SOFLEX control system, thus we are able to produce also in unmanned shifts.
Mr. Siegfried Carl Keck
General Manager
“The SOFLEX control system makes our workday much easier, starting with my tasks regarding the work preparation and ending with the operating tasks in the shopfloor. Even after the start of production, SOFLEX continues to be a helpful partner. Whenever we have questions or a problem, we can rely on SOFLEX.”
Ivan Marceković
Head of CAM technology department
One of our main goals is to achieve standardization of processes in our production. For this reason, we have SOFLEX control systems in use in many automated cells in different plants. Thus, we have managed to standardize the manufacturing processes and to install identical interfaces to our ERP, PDM and CAD/CAM system. Furthermore, our operators can easily operate different cells, event at different plants. We have been working with SOFLEX for many years and we greatly value our partnership.
Mr. Pierre van den Hurk
Process engineer
The switch from manual clamping to an automated system with workpiece storage represents an important milestone for our future and for Germany as a business location. By automating and networking our production processes, we can significantly increase our efficiency, precision and flexibility. Working with an experienced partner like SOFLEX enables us to successfully shape this transformation and fully exploit the benefits of Industry 4.0.
Our regional ties and shared vision of a smart factory form the basis for a successful collaboration.
Patrick Schlagenhauf
Managing Director