Product category:
Manufacturing industry news
News Release from: EMCO Maier
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 November 2003
Swiss dual training system proved in
practice
An international comparison of the best professionals has shown that the dual training system as practiced in Switzerland is more than just competitive.
An international comparison of the best professionals has shown that the dual training system as practiced in Switzerland is more than just competitive Switzerland won best country at the 37th World Skills 2003
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 18 Nov 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Turning hardware, software solutions revised
Not only a new name for a modular training system, 'Emco Concept' stands for extensive improvements made to the existing hardware and software solutions for turning machine operation.
Universal parts handling system gains enthusiasts
For high-production industrial CNC turning systems, engineers developed a high-performance parts handling automation system that was quickly taken up by German automotive parts suppliers.
The partners Emco and Argonag AG/Switzerland were the general sponsors of the World Skills and made a major contribution to the success of this world championships of professions.
The 43 Emco machines used once again proved their reliability and excellence.
The national organization Swissmechanic plays an important role in the functionality of the dual training system in Switzerland, with its 19 course centres.
Further reading
Short bar loading magazine saves space
The space a machine needs is becoming more and more an issue, which is why short bar loading magazines have been developed to save on space and shorten loading times.
CNC counter spindle lathe shortens cycle times
Ccycle times are shortened and the programming simplified on a counterspindle CNC production lathe that machines two components simultaneously in the main and counter spindles.
Counter spindle NC axis speeds part transfer
The use of an NC axis for the drive of the counter spindle speeds up part transfer in CNC production lathes while the latest CNC and digital drives have resulted in a fast, more dynamic machine.
In addition to being used for apprenticeships and by the polytechnic, many trainees also visit these course centers.
The umbrella organization Swissmechanic encompasses 15 independent sections with a total of 1,300 members and more than 52,000 employees, of which around 5,000 are trainees.
Emco in the course centre of the Swissmechanic section in Basle - the course centre in the Basle section in Oberwil prides itself on having the best possible fleet of machines.
For example, Argonag was recently able to operate four Emco Concept MILL 105 machining centers and four Emco Concept TURN 105 CNC lathes in Oberwil for the CNC basic training course.
Investment protection with the interchangeable control units - the machines are initially fitted with the Sinumerik 840D, but thanks to the unrivalled Emco concept with the interchangeable control units, a Fanuc or Heidenhain control unit can also be installed as desired.
And if, for example, Siemens launches a new control unit in a few years, it too can be installed.
The machine controls will always remain up to date, which protects Swissmechanic's investment for the long term.
Markus Altermatt: "The Emco concept is perfect for us.
We can now train eight apprentices directly on the CNC machine.
This is by far the best solution for us.
If we had opted for three oversized production machines, which would have cost the same, only three trainees would have been able to work at a time, and the control unit of a production machine would probably have been outdated in six to eight years.
Thanks to the Emco concept we will be able to install newly developed control units in the interchangeable control panel in the future, so we will always be able to train on an up to date control." Machines linked by a wireless network - while installing the machines, Argonag made the suggestion that the eight machines could be linked with a wireless LAN.
This idea was realized and now, with the appropriate access rights, the CNC programs can be transmitted simply from or to the trainer's PC.
And the machines can also be moved or reorganized without having to worry about cables.
Milling machines from Emco too - for the basic training, five conventional Emco FB-3 milling machines were replaced by six Emco FB-4 in 1998.
Markus Altermatt justifies going with Emco machines with the "excellent and uncomplicated service and maintenance by the Swiss representative Argonag AG." Not only the basic training is done on the Emco machines - the interim examination after two apprenticeship years is also held on them.
The machines are subjected to constant change, as new candidates work on them every two to three weeks.
Every year, 160 to 200 apprentices from the region pass through the Swissmechanic course centre in Oberwil.
In 2003 the machines were used for three different purposes.
In addition to the normal courses, training camps for the Swiss championships and the preparation for the World Skills in the disciplines Machinist, Precision Mechanic and Polymechanic were held on these machines.
Zitat: "The ease of use, versatility and excellent training documentation from Emco on NC technology are unbeatable," says Markus Altermatt.
• EMCO Maier: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
