ARNO Werkzeuge's summary of AMB is almost euphoric. There was no sign of the current difficult mood in the country at the trade fair. Instead, the number of visitors to the family-run company's stand far exceeded expectations on all five days. Those responsible spoke of good, targeted and high-quality discussions. Direct sales at the stand and numerous concrete sales preparations are evidence of the excellent overall impression. The high proportion of international visitors was remarkable.

‘The positive outcome of AMB gives us a lot of confidence for a successful end to the year,’ emphasises Simon Storf, Managing Director of ARNO Werkzeuge (Karl-Heinz Arnold GmbH). Sales Manager Dieter Wollensack adds almost euphorically when he reports: ‘We sold four StoreManager at the stand and have made concrete sales preparations for a further eight to ten.’ In addition, there were ‘far more visitors to the stand on all five days of the trade fair than we could have imagined with the greatest optimism’. The many international guests were striking - especially from Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, but also from Asia. The discussions were always very specific and in-depth. The focus was always on cost reduction, optimisation and automation potential.

Increasing cost pressure and shortage of skilled labour are drivers

Cost pressure from customers is growing ever stronger, while prices for materials, energy and interest rates are rising at the same time. ‘Because we are aware of these challenges and take them seriously by listening to our customers, we can always offer convincing concepts for process optimisation in addition to innovative products,’ assures Wollensack. There is great potential in time optimisation. This has been confirmed by eight sales of AWL sliding heads for swiss type machines. The tool holding system for turning and grooving tools has an integrated, adjustable coolant supply for high-pressure cooling. Together with the AFC fast-change system, users significantly reduce set-up and non-productive times and increase productivity during Swiss-type turning.

Customers also see more time for production, especially in the StoreManager tool management systems from ARNO Werkzeuge. This means that earlier tool search times directly benefit productivity. And because there is often a shortage of skilled labour, automation solutions and simplified processes are becoming increasingly important. Depending on the configuration, the StoreManager carousel system contains up to 2160 slots for controlled individual removal with the option of return to storage. The software manages removal and return efficiently, reliably and smoothly and also takes care of stock and replenishment. This was worth an order to four trade fair visitors. ‘There were also eight to ten others with a very concrete intention to buy,’ reports the sales manager.

When millimetres reduce costs: TA14 for axial grooving

Visitors also showed great interest in the TA14 cutting inserts for axial grooving, which were on show for the first time. Together with matching holders in left and right versions and in straight and 90° angled versions, users can achieve grooving depths of up to 5 mm. ARNO Werkzeuge is thus expanding its tried-and-tested ATS grooving system. Thanks to the innovative concept and cutting inserts made of proven carbide in many grooving widths, a few millimetres of material can be quickly saved per operation, especially when parting off. ‘Users are always pleased to tell us how this quickly adds up to five- and six-figure savings,’ concludes Wollensack.