SMW Autoblok Group has announced that their newest company, SMW-Electronics, based in Meckenbeuren, Germany, has broken ground on a new 11,000 square foot two-story facility that will house both prototype and production development.

The building plans to be completed by May of 2022 with an additional 86,000 square feet planned for future manufacturing. The number of employees is expected to grow to over 30 by 2024. The SMW-Electronics’ products encompass mechanical and mechatronic clamping systems for workpiece clamping, inductive energy and data transmission, sensors, software, and custom solutions for digitization and automation of processes that meet Industry 4.0 standards.

“We look forward to the completion of our new building and the growth of SMW-Electronics that will serve new and existing markets including machine tools, robotics, electric drive technology, and intralogistics to name a few,” said Peter Helm, export and marketing manager for SMW- Autoblok GmbH. “Smart factories and industry 4.0 have revolutionized the way we engineer and manufacture, and we look forward to growing our wireless technologies and helping companies optimize all aspects of manufacturing and supply chain operations.”

SMW-Electronics’ products feature non-contact inductive coupler systems that transfer energy and data (up to 1500 watts) via an air gap with a maximum of 20 mm. Products include the new F180 ethernet remote axial coupler that provides wireless transmission between moving and stationary components with a high-speed power transmission of up to 400 watts and a 20 mm transfer distance. Plus, a comprehensive line of intelligent sensor systems including the revolutionary LPS 4.0 position sensor that identifies the exact position of a sensor element wirelessly with maximum repeat accuracy. The LPS 4.0 is also protected to IP67 and offers outstanding EMC properties.

Mechatronic and mechanical clamping systems for workpiece clamping includes the e-motion product line that offers a complete range of couplers and software to work with a wide range of downline systems to handle part holding, workholding actuation, systems controls, actuators, robotics, etc. All e-motion products are based on the same concept of a contact-free inductive coupler system for signal and power transmission.

For over 75 years, SMW Autoblok Group has grown and evolved in the machine tool industry to become the world leader of workholding solutions. With the addition of SMW-Electronics, the new portfolio supports both new and existing customers by providing solutions to digitize products and achieve greater productivity and flexibility in an expansive range of manufacturing operations.