This year's LIGNA will focus on the key topics of digitalization, the circular economy, sustainability and modern technologies. And it is precisely these topics that are at the heart of Heinrich KUPER GmbH from Rietberg's participation in the trade fair. The specialist for individual solutions for the veneer and solid wood processing industry will be exhibiting at stand D16 in hall 15, surrounded by the materials with which KUPER has earned its reputation as a quality leader for veneer and gluing technology, planing and moulder machines and film wrapping machines.

Concrete Solutions based on a realistic Vision

In Hannover, however, KUPER will not only be focusing on the vision of a desired future, but will also be showing concrete examples of how current and future challenges can be overcome today with innovative solutions. The highlight of the stand and one of the more than 700 trade fair premieres announced by the organizers of LIGNA is a face veneer line including automated placement of the veneer packages by a robot. The excerpt from a complete production line demonstrates the separation of the veneer sheets, the camera-based detection of defects and the automated feeding of the individual sheets for assembly in the KUPER ACR, including a turning station for the production of different veneer patterns. The system presented to a wide audience for the first time at LIGNA is the result of a customer project and a cooperation between KUPER and the renowned expert Beckhoff Automation from Verl for automation systems based on PC-based control technology.

Efficiently eliminate Imperfections in Wood

By combining an innovative automation solution with a camera-based AI system, KUPER is demonstrating at LIGNA the preliminary stage of an overall concept in which defects in the wood are independently detected and efficiently eliminated through suitable interventions. In this way, KUPER combines tried-and-tested production methods with pioneering AI technology in a ready-to-use system solution and thus offers an answer to acute and future challenges for the industry, such as the increasing shortage of skilled workers and requirements for sustainability and resource conservation.

KUPER shapes the Future

In addition to the exemplary production line, visitors to the KUPER stand can also expect to see the tried and tested KUPER FLI veneer splicing machine this year. With this machine, KUPER will not only be demonstrating efficient joint gluing, but also the future of service digitization. Equipped with the KUPER Industry 4.0 module, operating data and key productivity figures are recorded and made available for evaluation, for example as part of a predictive maintenance strategy. In addition, KUPER demonstrates remote access, both to systems on site and to running systems at the company headquarters in Rietberg. In this way, KUPER aims to illustrate how modern system solutions implement advanced technologies and support users in optimizing processes through intelligent automation in order to successfully implement competitive strategies in the areas of sustainability, profitability and efficiency.

AI-based Troubleshooting

As a glimpse into the future, KUPER will also be presenting an ongoing project at LIGNA 2025 in which an AI system is being trained to support machine users in troubleshooting in the event of a fault. The aim here is to enable autonomous diagnosis and rapid troubleshooting. A guideline structure is used to specify problems in a targeted manner and provide instructions for self-help. In this way, service costs and downtimes can be reduced.

Practical Strategies for Current Challenges

“All of the solutions and approaches that we will be presenting at this year's LIGNA will focus on key issues facing the industry and offer practicable strategies for challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers and the consequences of globalization,” promises KUPER Managing Director Gerd Meurer. “This means we are no longer speculating about what might be possible at some point in an uncertain future, but are offering concrete solutions for the future today.”

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