A partner for technology, organization, and digitalization

"We wanted to expand our portfolio and at the same time demonstrate that we can also meet the highest standards in series production," explains Thomas Gilliar, Managing Director of the BÖLLINGER GROUP. "To do this, however, we needed not only the right technology, but also a partner who could support the entire project from a single source – technologically, organizationally, and digitally."

After intensive market analysis, the decision was made in favor of GROB – not only because of its broad machine portfolio, but above all because of its ability to deliver complete process chains, including digital solutions, from a single source.

Project start at a fast pace – quick, solution-oriented, professional

Just a few days after the initial meeting, the GROB team presented concrete solution concepts. "We were impressed by how quickly GROB not only understood our requirements but also translated them into a feasible concept," Thomas Gilliar still marvels today. The project implementation was just as efficient: planning, delivery, installation, and commissioning were all completed on schedule – a decisive factor in the realization of the customer’s project.

At the heart of the new production line at the BÖLLINGER GROUP are two highly dynamic, two-spindle machining centers of the G320 type. These were integrated into a third-party automation system that includes automated workpiece feeding, high-pressure cleaning, vacuum drying, and a visual inspection station. This made it possible to successfully manage the transition to series production, not only in terms of technology but also in terms of processes.

Digitalization as the key to series production

A central element of the project was the consistent digitalization of processes. From the outset, it was clear that stable and economical series production could only be achieved through digital transparency. With the products from GROB-NET⁴Industry, the BÖLLINGER GROUP was not only able to monitor the entire production process, but also guarantee the traceability of the manufactured parts – an increasingly important issue for the company and its customers.

"GROB⁴PartFlow provides us with a complete history of every manufactured component at the touch of a button," explains Peter Feucht, Production Manager at the BÖLLINGER GROUP. "If we have any queries or need to evaluate quality, we can trace at any time when which part passed through which station."

Digitalization also brings clear advantages for maintenance and shop floor management: With GROB⁴Line, machine status, alarms, and evaluations are available on the go at any time – whether on a tablet in production or in the office. "Our response times have improved significantly," says Sebastian Hübner, Series Production Team Leader at the BÖLLINGER GROUP. "This means that faults are detected earlier and downtimes are reduced."

Another key component of the new series production is GROB⁴Analyze – a powerful analysis tool that evaluates machine data in real time, enabling continuous optimization of the production process. Downtimes, process deviations, and quality trends can be identified and rectified at an early stage. This not only gives the BÖLLINGER GROUP transparency over ongoing production, but also a solid basis for making data-driven decisions. "With GROB⁴Analyze, we are providing our customers with a tool that not only increases efficiency but also enables comprehensive process data monitoring and sustainable quality improvement," explains Benedikt Gundling, Product Manager for Digital Products at GROB. "This information is crucial, especially in series production, in order to be able to manufacture at a consistently high level."

Tool management on a new level

GROB⁴TDX has also proven to be an enormous efficiency driver for the BÖLLINGER GROUP, particularly in the prototype sector, where frequent tool changes are necessary. "Digital management and automatic synchronization of tool data save us a huge amount of time and prevent errors," says Stefan Kniel, Work Preparation at the BÖLLINGER GROUP. "Tool data can be easily transferred, synchronized, and documented by scanning, which significantly increases process reliability."

GROB supports change – with technology and genuine partnership

For GROB, the project with the BÖLLINGER GROUP was also special: "We didn’t just deliver machines here, we ushered in a new era together with the customer," emphasizes Benedikt Gundling. "It was important to us to act as an equal partner from the very beginning – with a high level of technical expertise, but also with a great deal of flexibility and commitment."

Gundling continues: "Medium-sized companies that want to move toward Industry 4.0 need solutions that not only work technically, but also bring real added value in everyday use. That’s exactly what we’ve achieved here together."

Conclusion: Digitalization that works in everyday life

The result of the collaboration with GROB: a highly efficient production line that meets the demanding cycle times and quality specifications of the BÖLLINGER GROUP – and even exceeds expectations. "The new production line has enormous appeal," says Thomas Gilliar. "We regularly receive new project enquiries and are already working on further concepts with GROB."

What the BÖLLINGER GROUP has learned from the project is clear: digitalization adds value and increases performance. "Our employees see that digital tools help them – in planning, in evaluation, in their daily work," emphasizes Thomas Gilliar. "This promotes acceptance and willingness to embrace new technologies."

His advice to other companies: "You don’t have to make digitalization complicated – but you have to take it seriously. Only those who understand processes can digitize them. And with GROB, we had a partner who accompanied us on this journey not only technically, but also on a human level."