LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG successfully presented its expertise in the field of artificial intelligence at two major events in May 2025. Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO, and Florian Grunwald, Director IT, provided valuable insights into the practical application of AI technologies in SMEs at specialist events in Heilbronn and at the LAUDA headquarters. More than 120 participants from the region benefited from the practical experience of the world market leader for precise temperature control.

The event kicked off on May 20, 2025 with a joint event organized by the Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the appliedAI Institute gGmbH at the IPAI Spaces in Heilbronn. Dr. Gunther Wobser gave the keynote speech on AI strategies from an entrepreneurial perspective. Florian Grunwald added practical insights into the implementation of LAUDA.GPT, which was set up in collaboration with the Munich start-up meinGPT, and presented the procedure for the successful introduction of AI systems. In front of more than 90 managers from medium-sized companies, he explained how the company's own AI platform is driving the family business's digitalization strategy forward.

This was followed on May 22, 2025 by the ‘SMEs meet AI’ conference at LAUDA in Lauda-Königshofen. Organized by Unternehmer Baden-Württemberg e.V. (UBW) in cooperation with appliedAI and D11Z. Ventures GmbH & Co. KG, the event offered over 60 participants a platform for intensive discussions about AI applications. Five innovative start-ups – become.1, Semorai, S2 Data, Unchained Robotics and Resourcly – presented their AI solutions and promoted dialog between established companies and innovators.

“The rapid use of AI is crucial for the competitiveness of SMEs,” emphasized Dr. Gunther Wobser during the panel discussion in Lauda-Königshofen. “We must not allow ourselves to be held back by regulatory provisions such as the EU AI Act but must drive innovation forward with entrepreneurial courage. AI not only helps us with process efficiency but also opens new business areas and improves our customer solutions.”

At both events, LAUDA presented its proprietary AI platform LAUDA.GPT, which works with generative artificial intelligence and relieves employees of a wide range of tasks: It creates and translates texts, analyzes large amounts of data and supports the programming and automation of workflows. The modern, model-flexible architecture allows for the use of various AI models, with full compliance with all data protection regulations. This provides employees with the opportunity to focus on value-adding activities, leading to a substantial increase in productivity.

Florian Grunwald emphasized the central importance of a structured introduction: “The success of our AI implementation is largely based on the concept of key users. These employees act as multipliers and make a significant contribution to acceptance and successful integration. Thanks to an agile approach, we were able to achieve impressive efficiency gains in various areas of the company in a short space of time.”

At LAUDA, AI is not only used in the form of generative systems such as LAUDA.GPT, but also in the cybersecurity sector with AI-supported security solutions for the prevention, detection and defense against cyber threats. In addition, LAUDA is developing AI-based systems for predictive condition monitoring of temperature control units on automotive test benches in the joint research project ‘ProTemp’ with Aalen University.

The two specialist conferences highlighted the high level of interest shown by SMEs in practical AI solutions. In Lauda-Königshofen, Dr. Andreas Liebl from appliedAI gave the keynote speech ‘AI for SMEs’, before a moderated panel discussion explored specific strategies for the correct use of AI. Finally, Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner shed light on the legal aspects of using AI. Tim Wenniges, Deputy Managing Director of Unternehmer Baden-Württemberg, and Tom Villinger, Managing Director of D11Z. Ventures, emphasized the innovative power of the approaches presented.

With both events, LAUDA is underlining its position as an innovative player in the integration of AI technologies in the SME sector. The company not only focuses on optimizing internal processes but also pursues the goal of integrating AI technologies into products and services in order to better meet customer needs and open up additional sources of revenue.

“The lively participation of many interested parties shows the hunger for knowledge of practical AI applications in SMEs,” summed up Dr. Gunther Wobser. “The exchange of experiences and the networking of different stakeholders are crucial to fully leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence. As an innovative family-owned business, LAUDA will continue to break new ground and share experiences with other companies and institutions.”

LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, world market leader for precise temperature control technology, presents LAUDA Universa, a brand new product line of innovative bath and circulation thermostats. The pioneering product family combines advanced technology with improved, environmentally friendlier refrigeration technology and offers highly flexible solutions for numerous laboratory applications. The devices have been developed based on four central pillars: customizability, performance, connectivity and sustainability.

Customizability – highly flexible, thanks to modular system

The new Universa product line comprises the three variants, ECO, PRO and MAX, which cover different customer requirements and performance classes. Its modular structure allows baths, control heads and cooling unit to be flexibly combined. »Out customers benefit from wide-ranging flexibility,« remarks Enrico Bossart, Head of Product Management. »The modular approach enables high customizability and optimal adaptation to the requirements of the respective application. Additionally, the configuration can also be subsequently expanded by exchanging individual modules.«

The identical bath openings of the high- and low-temperature thermostats mean that accessories such as covers, racks or sample holders can be used with any variant. Bore markings on the edge of the bath also offer the option for customer-specific expansions.

Powerful – Precise temperature control for every application

The new product line covers a temperature range of -90 to 300°C, with a temperature stability of up to ±0.01 K. With heating outputs of up to 3.6 kW and cooling outputs of up to 1.6 kW, the Universa thermostats are suitable for numerous applications in research, science and industry. All the devices are designed for both internal bath applications and external temperature control tasks. Quick heating and cooling times support an accelerated research, development and production process. Precise temperature control and high temperature stability contribute to reproducibility and process stability. This makes LAUDA Universa the go-to partner for laboratories and industrial operations.

»The LAUDA Universa product lines upholds the proud tradition of our first universal thermostat U 8, which my grandfather and company founder Dr. Rudolf Wobser developed in 1949, thereby creating a brand new type of equipment,« says Dr. Gunther Wobser, Managing Director of LAUDA. »With our continuous research and development, we are continuing to shape the future of precise temperature control as the recognized world market leader.«

Connective – Digital, connected and future-proof

All Universa thermostats are equipped with USB, Ethernet and even WiFi interfaces as standard. This allows them to be effortlessly integrated in existing lab systems and fulfills the requirements of digital laboratories. Via the convenient LAUDA Command app, the devices can be remotely and wirelessly controlled using a smartphone, tablet or PC. Remote maintenance, monitoring and data acquisition are possible by connecting to the LAUDA.LIVE Services IOT solution, providing increased operational safety.

The Universa PRO and MAX variants can also be expanded with up to 11 different interface modules – from analog through to EtherCAT or OPC/UA. »Their extensive connectivity makes our Universa devices the ideal components for the laboratory of the future,« explains Enrico Bossart. »Seamless integration in IOT systems like LAUDA.LIVE Services enables the continuous monitoring and optimization of the devices, in future also via advanced AI solutions, which LAUDA is already researching and developing in partnership with universities today.«
 

Sustainable – Environmentally friendly technology with a future

A special feature of the new Universa product line is the consideration of sustainability aspects in every product. This includes the exclusive use of natural refrigerants in all its thermostats – from its compact entry-level models to its powerful high-end devices. Meanwhile, the quantity of refrigerant is consistently less than 100 grams. Furthermore, all the refrigerating machines work with speed-controlled, patented compressors, which are extremely energy-efficient to run in everyday partial load operation, thanks to inverter technology – a unique product benefit, especially in the entry-level segment. As an additional bonus, users can look forward to significantly quieter operation. »Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us – we have anchored it in every aspect of our product development,« emphasizes Enrico Bossart.

All devices also benefit from an optimized ventilation concept, which reliably prevents condensate and oil vapors from penetrating the electronics, while minimizing condensation and media transfer – a patented feature that ensures high reliability.

LAUDA Universa is designed to last. LAUDA’s confidence in the underlying quality is expressed in its 5-year premium warranty, which is offered for the entire product line.

The right solution for any requirement

»With the new Universa product line, we have responded to our customers’ requirements and created a well-thought-out system that stands out for its modular structure, high performance, connectivity and, not least, its sustainability,« summarizes Dr. Gunther Wobser. »LAUDA Universa stands for technology at the highest level and opens up a new dimension in temperature control.« All LAUDA Universa devices are both CE- and NRTL-certified, and available in different power supply variants. This allows them to be used worldwide and offers high security of investment by complying with international standards.

LAUDA Ultracool chillers working seamlessly with HP Digital Indigo Presses

The advancement in technology within the field of Digital Printing over the past 10 years has been rapid, with larger, faster machines producing a higher output of product. 

The challenges of temperature control remain however as these larger & faster digital printing presses still require precise cooling to operate at the optimum level.

LAUDA’s Ultracool range of industrial chillers have been providing cooling onto many digital presses for over 15 years, with Hewlett Packard Indigo’s being one of the main recipients. Depending on the type of press, whether it be Commercial Printing or Labels & Packaging, the press needs to be kept at a cool temperature to allow for the high throughput of work and to remove the heat load being generated during its process.

The LAUDA Industrial chiller is often located outside of the Printing Room and circulates a water/glycol mixture to and from the printing press. Typically this is either at +2°C or +6 °C delivery temperature depending on the press model and the respective heat load.

The smallest Ultracool chiller in the printing range has almost become redundant as more and more customer upgrade to larger presses, to take advantage of the latest developments in technology to help increase productivity and profitability.

The LAUDA Ultracool chillers are reliable partners within the Digital Printing Industry, providing the precise temperature control need to for the press to operate. The new generation of chillers now providing improved energy savings features and benefits, making it an even more desirable option as customers continue to lower production costs where possible.

Coupled with the Technical Service & Support provided by LAUDA Technology within the UK, LAUDA is well placed to continue its own growth alongside the Digital Printing industries own successes.

Recently, LAUDA launched an exciting new initiative - offering our 5-Year-Best-Warranty. This means customers in the Digital Printing industry can enjoy peace of mind when it comes to the life-span of their chiller. We stand behind the quality and reliability of our equipment with an extensive warranty package offering exclusive benefits. This provides cost-effectiveness to customers who need confidence in their equipment and systems. Enjoy half a decade of worry-free operation with LAUDA.

For more information on the LAUDA Ultracool chillers available for digital printing, please contact us:

info@lauda-technology.co.uk

+44(0) 1780 243 118

Remember to visit the website for technical specifications:

https://www.lauda.de/uk/products/constant-temperature-equipment/circulation-chillers/ultracool