Starrag and Walter AG: Turbine Technology Days 2017...2017/08/08  · sector. The machining specialist offers a comprehensive range of precision tools for milling, turning, drilling

Press release

Starrag and Walter AG: Turbine

Technology Days 2017

Experiencing leaps in productivity: Starrag and Walter are generating

momentum for efficient turbine production

For the fifth time, Starrag and Walter – in a partnership that has now proven itself three

times – have invited people to the "Turbine Technology Days", the industry get-together for

turbine production. Over 200 visitors from 19 countries followed the call to Starrag's

headquarters in Rorschacherberg on Lake Constance in order to gain an insight into bringing

about turbine production that is even more productive and reliable. After all, the aviation

industry is experiencing a boom and, even in the energy production sector, there is

increasing demand for gas turbines. The consequences: OEMs and supply companies have to

simultaneously increase their production figures while also meeting higher quality criteria. At

the same time, globalisation is ensuring that the competitive environment is becoming more

difficult.

For Starrag and Walter, the aerospace and energy sectors are strategic business areas in

which they are developing permanent application-specific solutions in close partnership with

their customers. For Starrag CEO, Walter Börsch, this application-specific approach is the

key to making leaps in productivity, which subsequently improve competitiveness: "We have

extensive process expertise, which includes machine, tool and device technology, as well as

software and automation. This allows us – in line with our claim "Engineering precisely what

you value" – to not only offer Starrag machines but also complete production systems that

are precisely tailored to meet the customers' requirements and guarantee maximum

benefits."

Walter AG is also addressing the challenges of the future. Walter is offering customers a

complete process – from the tool right through to the machining strategy. Mirko Merlo, CEO

of Walter AG, emphasises the importance of digitalisation: "Digital solutions are the future of

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modern machining. It is no longer just about turning, milling, drilling and threading.

Perfection and precision are basic requirements.

Walter presented solutions that are more than just tools. Tailored and efficient processes are

important prerequisites for this. Using smartglasses, the participants were able to visualise

digital networking and Industry 4.0.

Keynote speaker HyunSoo Yoon, Director of Engineering Division, Aerospace & Defense

Group at the South Korean company Hanwha Techwin reported on the success of

automation with innovative production systems. Together with Starrag, they succeeded in

using flexible production systems and robot automation to make the production of engine

components 42 per cent more efficient. His belief: The new technological opportunities must

be continuously studied and put into practice.

There were numerous approaches to doing this at the Turbine Technology Days. Working

together, Starrag and Walter designed 14 stations that used practical examples to illustrate

the opportunities offered by increasing productivity. One impressive example is the blisk

machining with new barrel and torus cutters which, in contrast to conventional approaches,

reduces costs by up to 60 per cent. In addition to machining examples, Starrag and Walter

also demonstrated the diverse potential improvements that can be implemented thanks to

digitalisation and modern software.

The event was accompanied by the nine competence partners whose products – from

cooling lubricant, testing and measuring technology and tooling systems, through to

software solutions – play a significant role in the process chain. For participants who want an

even more in-depth look into the future of machining, Walter opened the doors to its

headquarters in Tübingen, including their new technology centre, on an optional third day.

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Image 1: The group of participants at the Turbine Technology Days grows continuously:

On 27th and 28th June, over 200 experts from 19 countries came to this industry get-

together in Switzerland.

Image 2: The Turbine Technology Days focus on turbine-manufacturing applications. At 14

practical stations, the participants drew inspiration to improve their profitability and security, and generate growt

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Images: Starrag Group

Starrag company profile

Starrag is a world-leading technological manufacturer of precision machine tools for milling,

turning, drilling and grinding workpieces made of metal, composites and ceramic. Its

customers are mainly companies operating on an international scale in the user industries of

aerospace, energy, transportation and general industrial. Technology services and service

add to the range of machine tools, and allow the customer to make substantial productivity

progress.

The products are sold under the Starrag brand. The group, whose headquarters are in

Rorschach in Switzerland, operates production sites in Switzerland, Germany, France, Great

Britain and India, and operates sales and service companies in numerous other countries.

Starrag Group Holding AG is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Walter AG company profile

Founded in 1919, Walter AG is one of the world's leading companies within the metalworking

sector. The machining specialist offers a comprehensive range of precision tools for milling,

turning, drilling and threading. Walter works together with its customers to develop tailored

solutions for the complete machining of components for use in the general mechanical

engineering, aerospace, automotive and energy industries. The company's Engineering

Kompetenz covers the entire machining process.

As an innovative partner for highly efficient, digitalised process solutions, Walter is one of

the pioneers of Industry 4.0 right across the sector. With over 3500 employees and

numerous subsidiaries and sales partners, Walter AG serves customers in more than 80

countries around the world.