AI-powered mechanical finishing optimisation: Scm Group competes for the SMAU Innovation Award 2026
One of the most complex challenges currently facing the manufacturing industry and the woodworking sector is the shortage of specialised technical skills within factories.
Scm Group’s latest innovation stems from this very real challenge. It is dedicated to mechanical surface finishing processes and, specifically, to its range of DMC solutions for sanding, calibrating and deburring.
The solution is an AI-powered process configurator that turns an extensive database of scientific data and test results into a digital assistant capable of guiding both sales teams in configuring the machine and operators in selecting the right processing parameters.
This new SCM project is among the finalists for the upcoming edition of the SMAU Innovation Award, taking place in Milan on 3–4 November 2026. Alessandro Caramia, SCM Product Manager & Business Developer, explains the project’s most innovative features.
“We have transformed decades of laboratory testing and empirical knowledge into a proprietary algorithm, providing operators with a virtual configurator that guides them in real time,” explains Caramia.
What are the actual benefits for customers?
“Using the configurator delivers operational and economic benefits across the entire value chain. For customers, the technology eliminates learning times, allowing even non-specialised personnel to set up the machine correctly from the very first use, while generating an estimated saving of at least 20% in processing times.
Internally, the tool guides the sales force in selecting the optimal machine configuration during the quotation stage. The system provides accurate estimates of processing times, costs and productivity, while also giving SCM Group the opportunity to develop future services for software updates.”
For further details and information about the upcoming edition of SMAU: SMAU – SCM Group success story
The innovation appointment is in Milan on 3–4 November.
