Alfred Härer: Switching CAM Systems to Fusion – with the Sinker EDM Module

The Client

Alfred Härer GmbH, based in Lorch near Stuttgart, develops and manufactures complex die-casting tools. Alongside complete tools, the company produces inserts for these tools, and its portfolio also includes repair, maintenance and servicing. Härer thus covers the entire life cycle of a tool – from development and manufacturing through to support in operation.

The Challenge

Härer wanted to digitalise its processes and workflows consistently and close the gaps at the interfaces between development and manufacturing. One key goal was to bring programming back closer to the machine, so that CAM programs for milling and for spark erosion (EDM) can be created directly at the machine.

Manufacturing added further requirements: simplify the software landscape, reduce running costs and make the CAM processes more flexible. Sinker EDM played an important role in choosing a new solution from the outset – an area that standard CAM environments often cover only to a limited extent. And the switch had to succeed while production kept running, without any downtime in manufacturing.

“Above all, we wanted to take another really close look at our processes and workflow optimisation and digitalise them further – with the goal of optimising our interfaces all the way from development to manufacturing.”

Christoph Härer, Managing Director, Alfred Härer GmbH

The Solution

Härer chose Autodesk Fusion as its shared CAD/CAM platform, replacing its previous CAM solution. The company realised early on that choosing the software would not by itself ensure the project’s success. Härer was looking for a partner who would support the implementation, the post processors, the training and the technical questions arising in day-to-day work.

AURON guided the switch step by step using the company’s real parts instead of sample data. Besides the programming itself, tool data, templates, documentation and measuring routines were adapted. In addition, Härer was the first customer to test the AURON sinker EDM module, which is integrated directly into Fusion, in everyday production and to contribute to its development.

The Result

Today, Härer runs all of its CAM programming in Fusion. The company has standardised its workflows further, building its own templates, tool data and a uniform filing structure – standards that the team continues to develop in day-to-day operation.

The effect is also visible in how the departments work together: manufacturing staff can follow the machining steps in Fusion much more easily. Programming and manufacturing now work more closely together, and programming has moved closer to the machine – exactly the goal management set at the outset.

Krisztian Posa, Project Manager Toolmaking at Alfred Härer, sums it up: “Of course, the switch involved a lot of work, and not everything went perfectly right away. But at AURON we have a direct contact person, and together we always find solutions quickly. Making the switch was exactly the right step for us.”