In person trade shows and conferences are nonstarters at the moment. Thus, Schmalz Inc., Raleigh, N.C. is pursuing a different path to present its new products to a wide range of design engineers and trade professionals. SchmalzEXPO, a virtual vacuum-technology trade show, is underway without any need for masks and social distancing requirements.

The J. Schmalz GmbH booth at the Hannover Fair was already planned — from a robotics zone to new products in vacuum automation and digital services. However, with all events canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company quickly moved in another direction.

“We set up live chat and video consultation in a short amount of time to enable us to still provide our customers with the competent consultation they expect from Schmalz,” said Thomas Wölpert, Head of Sales Germany at J. Schmalz GmbH. Furthermore, the vacuum specialists organized their own virtual vacuum technology trade show for the first time, which can be accessed after free registration at www.schmalz.com/expo.

Once registered, visitors see an animated 3D booth directly in front of them. Mr. Wölpert welcomes visitors and provides information about the booth’s highlights. The Vision and Handling Set 3D-R, the bin-picking solution for automated bin-picking, as well as the Schmalz Connect Suite are among the new products featured. Users can view the data of all IO-Link-compatible components from any manufacturer at any time via the software. It is also possible to analyze and parameterize individual devices without having to manipulate the controller.

The SchmalzEXPO is divided into five sections: new products, gripping solutions for robotics, digital services, manual handling, and an auditorium where numerous expert presentations can be accessed. Visitors obtain detailed product information via videos, 360° views, and image galleries. “It is important for us to advise our virtual trade show guests just as competently as if they were live on-site, which is only possible through personal contact,” emphasized Wölpert. “That’s why we also set up a live chat and offer individual telephone and video consultations.”

Schmalz
www.schmalz.com