Control 2017: "Mahr metrology makes production more productive."

Mr. Huesken, what trends do you detect in the field of measuring technology – in regards to hand-held metrology and to measuring systems?
Metrology is a key component in production: it supports quality assurance and makes the entire production more efficient, i.e. more productive – from the quickest measurement through hand-held measurement technology through wireless transmission to automated measurement solutions. Mahr's measurement technology therefore plays an increasingly important role in making processes more economical.

What can visitors expect to see at this year's Control?
Our trade fair highlight: the most powerful, wireless digital micrometer. A world novelty! In addition, there are many hardware innovations, including the most powerful software platform in measurement technology, MarWIN version 10.
In addition, Mahr had doubled its stand space to approx. 550 m2 - a clear statement which shows how strongly we invest in our customers and how we offer our many innovations the best platform at the leading trade fair for metrology. On an area of 250m2 we are presenting automated measuring technology. Another measuring focus is individual customer-specific measurement solutions, which interact with each other up to robot loading and CNC-controlled measuring technology.

You already mentioned the new micrometer. What is so special about this innovation?
The new micrometer Micromar 40 EWRi is the centerpiece of the Mahr exhibition. It has the "Integrated Wireless" technology and complements our family of hand-held measuring instruments with radio transmission. With this new micrometer, the measured data are sent to the measuring computer by radio. The innovation is highly convenient, avoids mistakes during data transfer and can be transferred directly to a processing machine. It is also ideal for testing large workpieces. The ideal companion for the Smart Factory.
By the way: For this technology, we have just received the European patent and are ready for deployment and supply worldwide.

How does the networked factory of Industry 4.0 and IoT (Internet of Things) affect metrology?
Metrology has become a decisive part of the networked factory in recent years. Measuring devices from Mahr communicate with each other as well as with the production machines. The measured data obtained have also become an important part of the "big data" of the networked factory. Our calipers or dial gages transfer their data using radio, measuring systems such as our gear measuring stations or shaft measuring stations control the production machines with the gained data in the closed loop. Furthermore, our measuring instruments have local intelligence and, recognize, for example, workpieces.

What does Mahr offer so that manufacturing companies can work more productively and optimize their process costs?
The precision of our measurement technology guarantees the user that he can take advantage of the permitted tolerances. Automated measurements make quality assurance more efficient, ensure repeatability and traceability. Basically, the entire Mahr measuring technology is so user-friendly that measuring is accelerated – and thus even more test pieces can be measured, thus ensuring productivity.

What is the role of services?
Our services are becoming more and more interesting for manufacturing companies. They reduce costs. Preventive maintenance thus extends the service life of measuring systems. The outsourcing of measurement management increases the efficiency of the enterprises and contract measurements by Mahr create new possibilities. Mahr offers a comprehensive service catalog, which is currently being presented to our customers.

Mahr is successful worldwide. In which countries and regions can you currently observe particularly interesting developments?
The Asian market remains exciting for us. A lot is happening here and the local industries continue to develop rapidly. Mahr is on site with production and branch offices and can serve the customers there optimally – because customer proximity is decisive for us. But also Europe and the USA are important key markets. We see new challenges and new markets, for example, around the electric motor.