Pioneer of technology and innovation

In today’s world, technology is playing a central role in the evolution of society, and companies like Wicam are at the forefront of this ongoing revolution.

The latest documentary from the Wicam Foundation, available on YouTube, offers a deep insight into the life of founder Harald Wilkesmann and how he has shaped German mechanical engineering with his software. It not only shows the life of Harald Wilkesmann and the development of his software company Wicam, but also the foundation behind it, which continues to significantly promote these developments. The abbreviations CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) stand for two key technologies that have become standard equipment in modern companies in recent decades. German mechanical engineering has always had a world-leading reputation, and the leap into the digital future has further consolidated this supremacy. The latest documentary about Harald Wilkesmann, produced on behalf of the Wicam Foundation, sheds light on the enormous influence his modern CAD-CAM software has had on mechanical engineering.

This inventiveness in the early 1980s still enables engineers and machine builders to program precise models of sheet metal parts and transfer them directly into the production process without the need for physical prototypes. This not only saves time, but also material and therefore considerable costs. One of the special features of Harald Wilkesmann’s approach in the 1980s was that he did not focus purely on programming, but on end-to-end automation. His aim was to develop a programming system that was not only compatible with all manufacturers, but also automated the programming process. He therefore designed the software in such a way that the components could be imported automatically via interfaces from ERP and PPS systems – the largest provider in this area is SAP.

“Mr. Wilkesmann once stood at a processing machine himself as a student and experienced how tedious programming was step by step. This experience gave rise to the idea: why not use the data from the ERP system to automate the processes? This laid the foundation for an innovative vision to make production more efficient and drive it forward,” recalls Jury Maier, Head of Software Development at Wicam. And Timo Eigenblut, Managing Director of Wicam GmbH, confirms: “Even during my job interview in the 1990s, I immediately realized how much passion Mr. Wilkesmann had put into the development of the PN4000 software. His enthusiasm was so infectious that I quickly decided to get involved in the development of this extraordinary product.” Up-and-coming companies such as Siemens, Dethleffs, Liebherr and many others, which are now global corporations, were able to send data to the machines directly from their ERP system, usually SAP, thanks to

this software. The PN4000 software from Wicam took over the entire programming and forwarded the finished files as NC code directly to the machines. This made cross-location production possible for the first time: corporations were able to open plants worldwide and at the same time bundle their know-how centrally in one place. This technology gave German industry an enormous boost in innovation. “Even back then, it was clear why Mr. Wilkesmann was able to win so many companies as customers with his PN4000 software. He had the visionary idea of focusing on database- and data-driven NC programming, while others were still focusing on geometry and contour programming. At the same time, he managed to put together a development team that brought outstanding products to the market,” says Guido Herz, founder of HerzRobotics GmbH, explaining the difference.

There are numerous examples from the automotive and aerospace industries where the software is used to manufacture precision parts. What is particularly impressive is how the technology influences the entire value chain from design to final production. Modern CAD systems allow designs to be adapted quickly and make it possible to create prototypes in the shortest possible time, which are then transferred to production using CAM technologies. With its PN4000 CAD-CAM nesting system, Wicam offers a comprehensive solution for 2D and 3D processing in sheet metal working. The company, which has been in existence since 1986, relies on a large number of powerful modules that together ensure optimum material utilization and efficient production processes. An important component is the power nesting module, which minimizes material waste through highly efficient nesting algorithms. However, other modules also make a significant contribution to process optimization, such as the PNBend bending simulation, which supports precise 3D bending processes and integrates them into the production process.

A major advantage of Wicam is the manufacturer-independent programming of well-known machine manufacturers such as Trumpf, Amada, HGTech, Bodor, Bystronic, LVD, Microstep, Mazak and many more – and, if desired, directly from the ERP system. “Flexibility is crucial today, especially when it comes to programming systems. In the past, people were tied to the machine manufacturers’ software systems and relied on them. Wicam takes a different approach here: machines from different suppliers can be integrated independently of manufacturers. This has opened up new perspectives and significantly promoted the growth of WiCAM,” says Harald Kunz, Managing Director of Xteg GmbH, explaining the company’s success. The system supports all common production technologies such as lasers, punching, plasma, water jet and milling cutting as well as bending. PN4000 is manufacturer-independent and offers interfaces to all common ERP and PPS systems such as SAP. As a result, PN4000 can be seamlessly integrated into existing IT and production landscapes, helping to increase efficiency and optimize the entire production chain.

The future of mechanical engineering

The documentation also takes a look at the future of mechanical engineering. One trend that is particularly emphasized is the increasing networking and automation through Industry 4.0. CAD-CAM systems play a key role here, as they form the basis for the automation of entire production processes. By using artificial intelligence and machine learning, these systems can react to changes in production in real time and make appropriate adjustments. The ability to fully digitize and automate production processes is seen as a key competitive advantage for German companies. The documentary itself not only provides a deep insight into the company and its business models, but also highlights the values and philosophy that drive Wicam and the Wicam Foundation. Maximilian Herz, Managing Director of HerzRobotics GmbH, sees it this way: “The Wicam Foundation focuses on promotion and research in mechanical engineering. A key part of this is supporting Germany’s most renowned universities in order to drive forward innovative developments and pioneering technologies.” Ralf Deininger, board member of the Wicam Foundation, summarizes its goals as follows: “Education is the most important commodity we have in Germany today. All important raw materials come from China or other parts of the world. That’s why we need to invest in education and thus the future of our children. Today, everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 – our vision is to use theWicam Foundation to help ensure that we are not left behind, but are actually one step ahead.” Author: Maximilian Herz Web: wicam-foundation.com