ITALY – The “Autonomous Cell” from Homag did not fit into any of the existing categories in the selection of the winners at the XIA-Xylexpo Innovation Awards 2018 — nevertheless, the jury decided that this innovation from Homag deserved a prize and awarded the cell an extraordinary prize, a “Special Mention by the Jury.”

Previously, the Italian association Acimall (for manufacturers of wood processing machines and tools) gave awards at the XIA Innovation Awards in Milan in the categories Primary and solid wood processing, Panel processing, Tools, and Surface processing. However, due to the networked concept in which various components perform different work steps on the workpieces totally automatically, the “Autonomous Cell” from Homag could not be assigned to any of the existing categories. It was clear that the concept should nevertheless receive an award, and so the jury quickly created an extraordinary prize.

Andreas Denker, EVP Global Sales & Marketing Homag, was particularly happy about the XIA Innovation Award with “Special Mention by the Jury: “I’m delighted that with this special award, the jury has created a new dimension for valuing the power of innovation in the industry. We are proud to be the first and only recipient — this shows our lead against the competition in Industry 4.0, the important topic for the future.”

Homag’s “Autonomous Cell” is the first autonomous workshop concept and consists of two cells that are fully automated and interlinked. These two cells were connected by an autonomous helper: an automated guided vehicle (TRANSBOT) which organizes all of the parts logistics tasks between the cells, making this workshop concept the first “Autonomous Cell” in the woodworking industry.

The “Autonomous Cell” can make full use of its flexibility both in skilled crafts and in industry, in series and in batch size 1 production, and opens up previously unknown possibilities in the future of manufacturing for small and medium-sized companies.