Networking SMEs and setting standards
SME networking, set standards, get started: Innovative companies in the sheet metal working sector have launched a manufacturing initiative that is to cooperate on the topic of Industry 4.0. Together, the new association of machine and plant producers wants to open up the great potential of networked production for the benefit of users. The producers’ initiative will be presented to the public for the first time on 29 September 2016 in the context of the “Fertigung 4.0” congress in Bad Wörishofen – MicroStep is a member of the initiative and the host of the event.
Industrial production is currently undergoing a far-reaching process of further development – Industry 4.0, and networked manufacturing and intelligent process chains are the buzzwords here. The potential is undoubtedly thought to be huge: In the future, the digital factory will also be able to offer much more effective and flexible solutions in the field of sheet metal processing than would have been possible until recently. The greatest development opportunities in terms of productivity and efficiency in industrial production will be seen in the future in the interaction of digitization, networking and automation.
Definition of operationalizable standards for networked production
Now an alliance of small and medium-sized mechanical engineers has been formed, which is seeking to exploit these great potential benefits of networked production in the users’ interests in a cooperative and eye-to-eye manner within the network. Essentially, the aim is to jointly define a binding and operationalizable standard for networked Manufacturing 4.0, which provides a sound basis for cooperation projects. The goal of all the companies involved is to make active use of the possibilities of digitization and to enable customers to produce even more efficiently in the future. “We also see a great opportunity to further expand our competitive edge over non-European mechanical and plant engineering companies in this way,” says Igor Mikulina, Managing Director of MicroStep Europa GmbH, one of the founding members of the initiative.
Support from Fraunhofer and TÜV Süd
The new producers’ association, which other companies can join at any time, will be introduced to the public for the first time at the “Fertigung 4.0” congress on 29 September 2016 in Bad Wörishofen, Bavaria. The project is supported by VDMA Bayern, Fraunhofer IGCV in Augsburg, IHK Schwaben, TÜV Süd and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology under the patronage of Mrs. Aigner, Minister of Economic Affairs.
Keynote speaker:Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar
The congress “Fertigung 4.0 – Industry 4.0 in Sheet Metal Processing” is the starting signal for the launch of this network of small and medium-sized companies, which are seeking to exploit the great potential of the area and secure a head start over competitors. Keynote speaker is Ranga Yogeshwar – the science journalist has been working for years on the digitization of the economy. His lectures are considered inspirational. The program also features numerous other top-class speakers from science, industry, associations and politics. The necessary know-how will be imparted on how the topic of Industry 4.0 can be addressed rapidly in your own company. It offers an intensive exchange of ideas and cooperation opportunities with companies from the sheet metal working sector who are currently setting their course for Industry 4.0 – with the aim of profiting from it in the long term.
Opening of Innovation Forum 4.0
The new Innovation Forum 4.0 will also be inaugurated at the MicroStep CompetenceCenter in Bad Wörishofen the course of the congress: In future, the premises will provide an ideal infrastructure for networking people more intensively on the subject of Industry 4.0.
Keynote speaker is Ranga Yogeshwar – the science journalist has been dealing with the digitization of the economy for years. His lectures are considered highly inspiring.
The project is supported, among others, by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology under the patronage of Minister of Economic Affairs Aigner.
In the course of the congress, the new Innovation Forum 4.0 will be put into operation in the MicroStep CompetenceCenter in Bad Wörishofen.
