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I believe that these companies are already very active to some extent, as the demand for lightweight, high-strength materials in industries such as aerospace is constantly growing. However, we focus on our strengths and thanks to our expertise and customised solutions for machining composites, we already have a significant advantage.

We recently successfully completed a research project on the topic of ‘Productivity as a Service’. We will use these results to expand and optimise our digital solutions. We are also looking at how we can incorporate intelligent solutions to achieve more optimised results. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, mechanical engineering remains a physical product.

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Definitely a mixture of many points. Without employees there are no machines, without innovative technologies we are not competitive, without strategy we would not reach potential customers, employees or markets and without international locations we would lose customer contact and important reaction times. But if I must commit to something, then it's people. Working in partnership at eye level with both customers and employees forms the backbone of the SME sector. Values such as reliability, safety and trust have characterised these relationships in our company for decades.

With the acquisition of EiMa Maschinenbau, we have added lighter models to our portfolio of milling machines. The FZP/U 22 and FZP/U 27 perfectly complement our product range and offer our customers economically attractive starter models with high precision and excellent surface quality. With Eima we could also add two models in the horizontal line and furthermore we have developed a milling machine with a low rail gantry setup.

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By using automation technologies, our customers can achieve numerous benefits: increased efficiency, consistent quality and flexibility in production. Automation technologies ensure precise and fast processing, which leads to a significant reduction in production times and consistently high quality. In addition, the integration of robotics and milling machines provides a seamless production environment that makes complex processes efficient and reduces operating costs. In short, customers benefit from increased productivity, cost savings and greater competitiveness because they can adapt flexibly to market requirements.

Q) Do you foresee traditional metallics machining CNC machine tool companies following you into the composites manufacturing industry?

The FZP/U 22 offers customers an economically attractive starter model In a Q&A session, Frieder Gaenzle, CEO of portal milling machine specialists, F. Zimmermann explains how the company’s highly automated, intelligent machines allow it to adapt quickly and flexibly to different aerospace manufacturing production requirements.Zimmermann, a global high-tech supplier of portal milling machines, says its one goal above all is to offer the right solution for its customers and therefore be able to guarantee high economic efficiency. Based in Germany, the company’s CNC milling machines are characterised by huge workspaces, substantial machining dynamics and cutting performance. Q) To begin with, please provide an update on your company’s latest news.With the acquisition of EiMa Maschinenbau, we have added lighter models to our portfolio of milling machines. The FZP/U 22 and FZP/U 27 perfectly complement our product range and offer our customers economically attractive starter models with high precision and excellent surface quality. With Eima we could also add two models in the horizontal line and furthermore we have developed a milling machine with a low rail gantry setup. Zimmermann’s milling machines can be used to process a wide range of materialsThe FZG uses our proven thermo-symmetrical portal and is ideal for machining large-volume components such as those required in rail vehicle construction, shipbuilding or the defence sector. We are also working on digital solutions so that we can help our customers quickly and easily in the event of a service case in the future.Q) What is the breakdown of your machine tool sales in the different industries, and is composite machine tool production increasing?That's not so easy to answer. Our portal milling machines are designed in such a way that different materials can be processed. This means maximum flexibility for our customers. However, we are seeing an increase in inquiries in the composites sector, particularly in the American and Asian markets. But there is also a growing demand for special solutions such as ultrasonic cutting.Q) What are the types of performance demands placed on your company by today’s customers?The most important requirement and at the same time the biggest challenge are delivery times. This relates not only to the machines but also to the service activities: rapid availability of service technicians or spare parts is essential to avoid downtime. We are continuously expanding our service network to meet customer requirements, both nationally and internationally. In the US, we will be investing in our own milling head test stand and expanding our local spare parts warehouse. Frieder Gaenzle, CEO of F. ZimmermannOur milling machines can be used to process a wide range of materials: steel, titanium, plastics, composites, aluminium, sandwich panels, wood - there is a matching milling solution for every material.Q) What do you feel are the most important assets of a company?Definitely a mixture of many points. Without employees there are no machines, without innovative technologies we are not competitive, without strategy we would not reach potential customers, employees or markets and without international locations we would lose customer contact and important reaction times. But if I must commit to something, then it's people. Working in partnership at eye level with both customers and employees forms the backbone of the SME sector. Values such as reliability, safety and trust have characterised these relationships in our company for decades. Q) Any thoughts on additive manufacturing – do you plan to launch your own machines?This is an exciting market that has developed in recent years and there are already the first hybrid solutions on the market. We are clearly committed to our milling machines, which are our core expertise. We know what we can do and where our strengths lie: We need to continue to build on these and put our expertise into optimising our milling solutions: to top the accuracies with which we already operate in our own spheres. We will also expand our digital offerings and invest in AI solutions to become even more efficient.Q) What kinds of productivity benefits and synergies can your customers enjoy from the successful implementation and use of robotics automation technology as seen in the automotive industry?By using automation technologies, our customers can achieve numerous benefits: increased efficiency, consistent quality and flexibility in production. Automation technologies ensure precise and fast processing, which leads to a significant reduction in production times and consistently high quality. In addition, the integration of robotics and milling machines provides a seamless production environment that makes complex processes efficient and reduces operating costs. In short, customers benefit from increased productivity, cost savings and greater competitiveness because they can adapt flexibly to market requirements.Q) How much importance are you placing on Industry 4.0/IoT/Cyber physical systems and the advent of ‘smart tools’ in general?Industry 4.0, IoT and cyber-physical systems are marketing buzzwords. The overall topic is the digitalisation of production, and this is very significant for us, as it is shaping the future of manufacturing. New technologies enable networked, intelligent production processes that lead to greater efficiency, precision and flexibility. Smart tools play a key role by collecting and analysing data in real-time, enabling proactive maintenance and process optimisation. By integrating these systems into our machines, we can offer our customers a wide range of innovative solutions that increase their competitiveness and prepare them for the challenges of the digitisation in manufacturing.Q) What is the main focus areas of your current R&D efforts?We recently successfully completed a research project on the topic of ‘Productivity as a Service’. We will use these results to expand and optimise our digital solutions. We are also looking at how we can incorporate intelligent solutions to achieve more optimised results. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, mechanical engineering remains a physical product.Q) Do you find the manufacturing industry an easy one in which to do business and keep pace with changing trends, pricing and legislations?Tell me an industry in which it is easy to do business. We are currently facing many challenges: shortage of skilled labour, availability of resources, digitisation, etc. Global conflicts like the one we are currently experiencing, which are leading to protracted imports and increased tariffs, are not exactly making things easier for a globally active company like Zimmermann. But I am certain that we will overcome this and continue to be successful in the future.Q) Where do you see the biggest business challenges coming from?In addition to the points already mentioned, we currently see the greatest risks in geopolitical conflicts, increasing protectionism and the associated rise in tariffs. All of this hinders free trade and a prosperous, growing economy. On the long run of course the shortage of skilled labour is also a significant challenge, as it can affect the efficiency and innovative strength of our company. To meet these challenges, we rely on strategic partnerships, inventory management and increased investment in the training and development of our employees.Q) Do you foresee traditional metallics machining CNC machine tool companies following you into the composites manufacturing industry?I believe that these companies are already very active to some extent, as the demand for lightweight, high-strength materials in industries such as aerospace is constantly growing. However, we focus on our strengths and thanks to our expertise and customised solutions for machining composites, we already have a significant advantage.Q) What differentiates your company from the competition - why should a customer use you over your nearest rival?Zimmermann is characterised by decades of expertise in the development of high-precision portal milling machines. Our machines are beyond precision and reliability, which is particularly valued in demanding industries such as aerospace and automotive. We achieve accuracy values in the standard range that actually already reach a higher level of accuracy and are thus operating in µm ranges that are beyond comparison. However, what really sets us apart from the competition is our ability to develop customised solutions that are perfectly tailored to our customers' specific requirements. We also offer comprehensive service and support to ensure that our machines always function optimally. This combination of innovation, precision and customer focus makes us the first choice.Q) What kinds of machine tool developments will we be seeing in the future?Time to market will increasingly determine competition in the future. Whoever can deliver first will get the order. On the one hand, this means that the battle for skilled labour will become even fiercer, but IoT solutions will also become more important in order to work more effectively. We rely on highly automated, intelligent machines that allow us to adapt quickly and flexibly to different production requirements. This requires seamless integration of digital solutions that collect and analyse data in real time in order to optimise production immediately and avoid bottlenecks.www.f-zimmermann.com

Q) What kinds of productivity benefits and synergies can your customers enjoy from the successful implementation and use of robotics automation technology as seen in the automotive industry?

The most important requirement and at the same time the biggest challenge are delivery times. This relates not only to the machines but also to the service activities: rapid availability of service technicians or spare parts is essential to avoid downtime. We are continuously expanding our service network to meet customer requirements, both nationally and internationally. In the US, we will be investing in our own milling head test stand and expanding our local spare parts warehouse.

Q) Do you find the manufacturing industry an easy one in which to do business and keep pace with changing trends, pricing and legislations?

Our milling machines can be used to process a wide range of materials: steel, titanium, plastics, composites, aluminium, sandwich panels, wood - there is a matching milling solution for every material.

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The FZG uses our proven thermo-symmetrical portal and is ideal for machining large-volume components such as those required in rail vehicle construction, shipbuilding or the defence sector. We are also working on digital solutions so that we can help our customers quickly and easily in the event of a service case in the future.

Industry 4.0, IoT and cyber-physical systems are marketing buzzwords. The overall topic is the digitalisation of production, and this is very significant for us, as it is shaping the future of manufacturing. New technologies enable networked, intelligent production processes that lead to greater efficiency, precision and flexibility. Smart tools play a key role by collecting and analysing data in real-time, enabling proactive maintenance and process optimisation. By integrating these systems into our machines, we can offer our customers a wide range of innovative solutions that increase their competitiveness and prepare them for the challenges of the digitisation in manufacturing.

In a Q&A session, Frieder Gaenzle, CEO of portal milling machine specialists, F. Zimmermann explains how the company’s highly automated, intelligent machines allow it to adapt quickly and flexibly to different aerospace manufacturing production requirements.

Zimmermann, a global high-tech supplier of portal milling machines, says its one goal above all is to offer the right solution for its customers and therefore be able to guarantee high economic efficiency. Based in Germany, the company’s CNC milling machines are characterised by huge workspaces, substantial machining dynamics and cutting performance.

That's not so easy to answer. Our portal milling machines are designed in such a way that different materials can be processed. This means maximum flexibility for our customers. However, we are seeing an increase in inquiries in the composites sector, particularly in the American and Asian markets. But there is also a growing demand for special solutions such as ultrasonic cutting.

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Q) What is the breakdown of your machine tool sales in the different industries, and is composite machine tool production increasing?

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Q) How much importance are you placing on Industry 4.0/IoT/Cyber physical systems and the advent of ‘smart tools’ in general?

Zimmermann is characterised by decades of expertise in the development of high-precision portal milling machines. Our machines are beyond precision and reliability, which is particularly valued in demanding industries such as aerospace and automotive. We achieve accuracy values in the standard range that actually already reach a higher level of accuracy and are thus operating in µm ranges that are beyond comparison. However, what really sets us apart from the competition is our ability to develop customised solutions that are perfectly tailored to our customers' specific requirements. We also offer comprehensive service and support to ensure that our machines always function optimally. This combination of innovation, precision and customer focus makes us the first choice.

Time to market will increasingly determine competition in the future. Whoever can deliver first will get the order. On the one hand, this means that the battle for skilled labour will become even fiercer, but IoT solutions will also become more important in order to work more effectively. We rely on highly automated, intelligent machines that allow us to adapt quickly and flexibly to different production requirements. This requires seamless integration of digital solutions that collect and analyse data in real time in order to optimise production immediately and avoid bottlenecks.

Expromet Technologies Group opens a new logistics hub and CNC manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia aimed at strengthening customer supply chain options.

In addition to the points already mentioned, we currently see the greatest risks in geopolitical conflicts, increasing protectionism and the associated rise in tariffs. All of this hinders free trade and a prosperous, growing economy. On the long run of course the shortage of skilled labour is also a significant challenge, as it can affect the efficiency and innovative strength of our company. To meet these challenges, we rely on strategic partnerships, inventory management and increased investment in the training and development of our employees.

This is an exciting market that has developed in recent years and there are already the first hybrid solutions on the market. We are clearly committed to our milling machines, which are our core expertise. We know what we can do and where our strengths lie: We need to continue to build on these and put our expertise into optimising our milling solutions: to top the accuracies with which we already operate in our own spheres. We will also expand our digital offerings and invest in AI solutions to become even more efficient.

Tell me an industry in which it is easy to do business. We are currently facing many challenges: shortage of skilled labour, availability of resources, digitisation, etc. Global conflicts like the one we are currently experiencing, which are leading to protracted imports and increased tariffs, are not exactly making things easier for a globally active company like Zimmermann. But I am certain that we will overcome this and continue to be successful in the future.

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