VOLLMER launches AI-powered machine data management platform

Swabian sharpening specialist VOLLMER has developed the VOLLMER Smart Hub to centrally record, process and manage data from VOLLMER machines. The platform offers a comprehensive production overview and brings a new level of transparency and efficiency to modern manufacturing. Combined with an AI-based chatbot, the VOLLMER Smart Hub can be used to query information on machine utilisation, the number of tools produced or even missing parts, among other things.

Biberach-based sharpening specialist VOLLMER is offering the new VOLLMER Smart Hub as part of its digital portfolio. The service is a centralised platform that collects, processes and manages data from VOLLMER machines. The information is collected via the IoT gateway, which is integrated as standard in a large number of VOLLMER sharpening machines. The monitor integrated into the VOLLMER Smart Hub then enables detailed dashboards of all status and process information for the machines. Thanks to artificial intelligence based on a large language model (LLM), the Smart Hub is also equipped with a chatbot that can be used to retrieve documentation or historical data from the machines. The chatbot informs users about machine utilisation, the number of tools produced or missing parts, for example.

“Our VOLLMER Smart Hub helps our customers to control their production based on data and is therefore the digital key to lean and intelligent production,” says Manuel Löffler, Head of Digital Products at VOLLMER. “Instead of complicated interfaces or training courses, a simple chat is now enough. Our VOLLMER.GPT chatbot makes it easy to query machine statuses or key figures in everyday language. This is digitalisation you can touch.”

The VOLLMER Smart Hub provides a comprehensive production overview of the entire machine fleet at the site. Relevant key figures such as capacity utilisation, quantities or faults are automatically recorded and clearly visualised. This allows potential optimisations in production to be identified in a targeted manner and processes to be sustainably improved. A particular highlight are the solution’s various evaluation levels. The VOLLMER Smart Hub provides key figures from the entire production site down to individual lines or machines. This enables a structured analysis on several levels, which can reveal potential for improvement in a targeted manner.

Thanks to the VOLLMER Smart Hub, customers will also be able to store automated routines that are then e-mailed to selected people at regular intervals. This makes it possible to create a customised reporting system that allows easy access to relevant information without complex configuration.

“Different user groups have different requirements for production monitoring. Everyone has their own questions for the machinery depending on their role,” says Tobias Trautmann, Managing Director of VOLLMER. “What used to be considered an expert question is now answered by the machine itself in seconds via chat or a routine email. This is how we bring artificial intelligence into the executive office or directly to the workbench. We are delighted to be able to present the VOLLMER Smart Hub to our customers for the first time at Ligna.”

www.vollmer-group.com