EMCO, the world's top provider of CNC training and advanced education. Reinhard Fanninger Schulungsabteilung Training Department EMCO MAIER GesmbH Tel:+43 6245 891 302 Salzburgerstr. 80 Fax:+43 6245 85453 5400 Hallein Austria, http://www.emco.at
The Corporation
The European company's story of success began nearly 60 years ago with the production of conventional lathes. The Austrian-based group of companies has meanwhile become one of the top machine tool manufacturers in Europe with production sites in Austria, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. Innovative products, a high standard of production and an attractive design are the primary factors for success of a company geared to confront the challenges of the market as early as possible. Besides being one of the European leading manufacturers of CNC lathe and milling technology for years, EMCO has taken center focus of the training aim.
Industrial Training Systems – Professional development and training systems for the CNC professions
User requirements also grow along with rapid technical development and innovative technologies. EMCO has been engaged in the production of high-performance training systems in the CNC turning and milling sector since the early 1980s as a separate business sector. This and the quality of the products and services offered with the modular concept of industrial- compatible CNC education have made EMCO the global market leader in the training sector. Training equipment from Austria has been set up in schools around the world. Our concept focuses on practical technical training and ongoing professional development in industry.
EMCO's training equipment, with regard to operation and function, takes industry as a model and comes with ingenious, exchangeable CNC controls. The Austrian-based company is the only enterprise in the world that offers this type of equipment. A total of approximately 19,000 units are currently in operation. Its know-how commitment reaches even further. In close collaboration with technical schools, universities and industrial users, EMCO trains technicians in countries with industry-based training and ongoing professional development. Educational specialists from Salzburg have provided consulting services to countries in Europe, North and South America, Southeast Asia and the Near and Far East. The initial steps were taken in Indonesia in the 1970s, followed by some 40 successful projects in a variety of countries ranging from Algeria, the Philippines to Vietnam. EMCO offers a full range of services in this sector, ranging from design and financing to installing and training staff. Thus, customers receive everything that will contribute to the long-term economic success of these educational projects from one and the same supplier. The commitment and innovations by EMCO in the field of technical training and ongoing professional development have been confirmed recently by the Worlddidac Quality Charter Organization. Approximately 10 % of the EMCO Group's sales are generated in the Industrial Training Systems division and the international project sector.
In-house and external training as well as advanced education in training shops and institutions around the world are being provided on EMCO machines, using EMCO's didactically optimized documentation. Lecturers and officials responsible for practical training have come to appreciate the comprehensive know-how provided by the recognized manufacturer of lathes and machining centers. This is achieved by an in- depth knowledge of the requirements expected of skilled workers by a manufacturing company as well as the experience gained in the production of high-precision industrial equipment.
Training and advanced education facilities rely on EMCO's portfolio, custom-tailored to their needs, since the economical use of investment capital will allow them to provide state-of-the-art training. The concept of interchangeable controls, providing the user with high flexibility, is the key to success that has allowed EMCO machines to acquire an unchallenged reputation in the training sector. World Skills, held in the field of CNC technology and application using EMCO training systems, is just one of thousands of examples.
The advantage of the interchangeable controls – which are designed in close collaboration with Siemens, GE FANUC, Heidenhain and other manufacturers – make it possible to use the control manufacturer’s technologies on EMCO machines. By using a single training machine, the controls can easily be adapted within minutes by changing the control panel and using the respective manufacturer's software program. Control surfaces with a regional focus such as FAGOR, PAL and many others are also available.
The line of products for EMCO's state-of-the-art training system includes CNC turning and milling machines in the upper performance range for industrial use in sectors ranging from steel cutting to table-top machines for laboratory use, e.g. for electricians or mechantronic engineers. All machines are designed to allow extensive practical training. Thanks to ports to the attached or integrated industrial PC, all machines are networkable to create the best possible training situations. The trend is going towards industrial training machines on which precision parts can be produced for practical use as currently employed by school projects for affiliates.
The training package also includes training documentation, ideally divided into three stages. "TrainConcept“ is a comprehensive package designed to teach all of the basic CNC technology skills. Courseware is a multimedia program that offers extensive information on a didactical sound basis. The documentation focuses on cutting, quality assurance, information technologies, tools and many other topics. This electronic learning program can be used as Intra or internet solution just like stand-alone on the PC.
A complete set of training documentation for Adobe PDF-format or conventional overhead presentation is available for every control system, explaining the functions to trainees in a visual presentation showing graphically all functions of the CNC control. Instructors can use "Vision“ to explain all of the control functions, such as cycles, cutting radius compensation, tool measurements, G-function and many other training requirements.
Taking a specific project as an example, trainees are also in a position to actually program a complete production process. "WinTutorial“ allows trainees to generate a fully-operative single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, explaining each production stage step-by-step from the drawing to the finished piece. This practical experience is extremely motivating for trainees and gives instructors more insight into the trainees' ability to translate theory into practice.