Open interfaces as competitive advantage – beyond cutting

The biggest problem area – also for cutting companies – is the integration of existing systems into the process flow. expert systemtechnik gmbh, Bielefeld, deliberately provocatively claims that the choice of the cutting system will become irrelevant in the future. The processes before and after the cutting are important. "Open interfaces are the key to success in digitization," explains Sebastian Bruder, Managing Director of expert and member of the interzum Advisory Board, "Only continuous digitalization of the production processes enables optimum customer benefit across the entire bandwidth.” And he adds "Different processes and systems require accessibility to link them. Open interfaces ensure this freedom!", explains Sebastian Bruder, Managing Director of expert and member to the interzum Advisory Board.

For this reason, expert offers open interfaces to all systems – provided that the supplier enables solutions for digital networking. "Platform-independent interfaces like OPC UA allow the linking of different manufacturers and service providers – on all levels," the requirement for a successful cooperation is explained by Manuel Bruder, Head of Research & Development. "The cutting system used is no longer of central importance for cutting, but the processes before and after the cutting.”

At its stand at interzum in Cologne, expert explains how the integration of existing modules into intelligent, digitally networked systems and production processes can look like. In addition to innovative cutting systems, expert also manufactures platform and vendor-independent industry 4.0 solutions for processors of technical textiles and leather.

expert will also demonstrate the central subsequent process step after cutting – digitally supported sorting according to the sewing plan – using a case study on a showcase specially designed for the trade fair.

Thanks to the visual support of a beamer projection, cut parts are picked up from the sorting table and placed into transportation containers. A barcode scan identifies the parts, activates a display in front of the compartment where the part is to be put. The display also includes a counter. The data glove captures all the information for the ERP system and is triggered when the parts are placed in the correct compartment. Therefore, the up-to-date status of the order is always given in the ERP system. To guarantee a high usage of the raw material one can mix the models of different orders.

Find out more about the integration of existing systems through open interfaces and digitally supported sorting according to sewing plans at interzum 2019 in Hall 10.1, Stand 071.