As Forbes predicts that “By 2026, at least 75 per cent of large enterprises are expected to adopt some form of intralogistics smart robots in their factories,” the manufacturing landscape is on the brink of a transformative shift towards Industry 4.0. However, many manufacturers find themselves hesitant, grappling with the barriers posed by legacy equipment and interoperability issues. Hakan Aydogdu, General Manager of Tezmaksan Robot Technologies, highlights the crucial role of communication-agnostic software in enabling smart operations in machine shops.
Established in 2009, Tezmaksan Robot Technologies has emerged as a notable European CNC machine manufacturer, shaping the landscape of advanced manufacturing solutions. The foundation of this venture traces back to the establishment of Tezmaksan Makine, a Turkish company with a robust legacy dating back to 1981.
Tezmaksan Robot Technologies is driven by the mission to manufacture robotic CNC automation solutions, contributing significantly to the evolution of industrial manufacturing processes. Positioned with the primary goal of leading the global market in promoting cutting-edge robotic automation systems and software, the venture embodies Tezmaksan’s 40-year passion for automation that bolsters the production capabilities of the Turkish industry.
In a strategic move, Tezmaksan has invested 15 million euros to relocate its production facility to Sivas Nuri Demirağ OSB, solidifying its status as a dynamic CNC machining company committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. This relocation underscores Tezmaksan’s dedication to pioneering advancements that redefine the future of CNC machining.
The company boasts a substantial background in providing advanced production technology solutions, encompassing CNC machine tools, CNC milling, and CNC turning. With a wealth of experience spanning decades, Tezmaksan Robot Technologies stands as a reliable partner in the ever-changing realm of CNC machining, actively contributing to the enhancement of the industry landscape on a global scale.
Despite the promising forecast from Forbes that at least 75 per cent of large enterprises are expected to adopt some form of intralogistics smart robots in their factories, a significant number of manufacturers remain wary of fully embracing Industry 4.0. The primary stumbling blocks are often financial barriers.
The prospect of upgrading an entire shop to smart operations can be financially daunting, particularly when businesses are grappling with existing sunk costs in equipment. This financial hesitancy is compounded by the prevalence of legacy equipment that may not seamlessly integrate with modern Industry 4.0 technologies.
The replacement of such machinery not only incurs substantial costs but also entails downtime – a double-edged challenge for manufacturers. Additionally, interoperability issues further complicate matters as machine shops typically operate with a mix of equipment from different vendors, creating silos that hinder seamless communication between hardware and software.
Hakan Aydogdu, the General Manager of Tezmaksan Robot Technologies, makes a compelling case for the pivotal role of communication-agnostic software in overcoming these challenges and unlocking the potential of smart operations in machine shops.
In the face of these challenges associated with machineries, Mr Aydogdu advocates for a game-changing solution: protocol and communication-agnostic software platforms. These platforms operate independently of specific communication protocols, offering a pathway to seamless interaction and cloud communication across diverse platforms without dependency on particular technologies.
Agnostic software emerges as a strategic answer to the challenges faced by machine shops, especially in the context of Industry 4.0. The inherent flexibility of agnostic software allows for compatibility with equipment from various manufacturers, facilitating smooth integration and communication across the shop floor.
This means that existing machinery can seamlessly become part of a unified, intelligent system. Moreover, agnostic software empowers machine shops to retrofit existing equipment with intelligent capabilities, decoupling software from hardware dependencies and extending the functional lifespan of legacy machines. This not only delays the need for costly replacements but also makes the transition to Industry 4.0 more cost-effective.
Consider the example of machine vision systems, where technological evolution often renders hardware obsolete sooner than anticipated. The lack of interoperability between different hardware components exacerbates this issue, pushing for the purchase of new cameras and sensors when adopting vendor-specific software solutions.
This scenario often leads to the reluctance of decision-makers to discard and rebuild, given significant investments in existing equipment. Agnostic software presents an alternative by enabling existing machine vision hardware to adapt to cutting-edge software solutions without the need for a complete overhaul.
The concept of retrofitting, often overlooked, gains prominence in this scenario. Hardware-agnostic software provides a solution by enabling existing machine vision hardware to seamlessly adapt to advanced software solutions, ensuring that the initial investment in hardware is not prematurely rendered obsolete.
Moving beyond theoretical considerations, the real-world application of agnostic software is exemplified by the CubeBOX CNC automation system from Tezmaksan Robot Technologies. At the heart of CubeBOX lies its sophisticated software, RoboCAM, eliminating the need for intricate robot programming and extensive CAM knowledge.
By converting 2D CAD drawings into CAM instructions, RoboCAM simplifies the entire process, making it accessible even to operators without specialized training or programming knowledge. This democratization of robot programming broadens access in manufacturing, allowing for quicker training delivery.
The CubeBOX system, driven by agnostic software, introduces a paradigm shift in basic assumptions about CNC machine automation. Its compatibility with all CNC machines and control units, adaptability to various robot brands, and a cost 20% less than company-specific robot integration systems position it as a cost-effective and efficient solution.
The plug-and-play nature of CubeBOX allows for quick commissioning, often completed in a single day. The system’s ability to enable multiple machines to operate seamlessly without interruptions showcases the transformative potential of agnostic software in fostering efficiency, adaptability, and competitiveness in the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0.
