Expanding automation's digital landscape remains a persistent trend
In the heart of Germany's Nordschwarzwald region, an innovative partnership is taking shape. The 'Digital Future of Automation' innovation network, founded in September 2017 under the umbrella of the IHK Nordschwarzwald, is driving the knowledge and skilled labor requirements within Industry 4.0.
The network, which started with five member companies, has grown to eight, reflecting the growing importance of digitalization and automation in the region's manufacturing industry. This expansion is a testament to the network's success in addressing the industry's needs.
University representatives have been integrated into the teaching of member companies, delivering presentations and leading discussion rounds during the summer semester of 2018. This collaboration is part of ongoing efforts to generate orientation and application knowledge along specific questions in exchange with SMEs in the region.
Dr.-Ing. Guido Sand, Professor of Automation Technology at Pforzheim University, is a key figure in this partnership. He moderated a workshop on "Student Projects" for the innovation network, and his students have been engaged in interdisciplinary design projects exploring visions and prototypes related to the future interplay of humans, machines, and the environment.
The workshops aim to support the digitalization efforts of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Industrial application cases for machine learning and mathematical optimization have been identified and processed by students for SMEs, with the optimization of plants and processes through automation being a key strategy for these companies.
On July 11, 2018, Renner GmbH from Maulbronn hosted an on-site visit for the innovation network. This integration occurred in the context of the lecture "Seminar Industry 4.0" of the master's program in Mechatronic System Development and the "IT Colloquium" of the Department of Information Technology at Pforzheim University.
The goal of the innovation network is to generate orientation and application knowledge along specific questions in exchange with SMEs in the region. While the current status of the projects created by Pforzheim University students for the members of the Cooperation Initiative "Digital Future of Automation" is not explicitly documented, the university's exhibitions like "Future Narratives" showcase the potential alignment with digital and automation themes.
The integration of university and company representatives fosters a "win-win situation" for both students and SMEs. Future engineers gain practical experience, while companies gain knowledge about innovative technologies. This partnership is a crucial step in preparing the Nordschwarzwald region for the rapid development within Industry 4.0, a key theme for the future of the economy, as stated by Markus Wexel, CEO of IHK Nordschwarzwald. The innovation network 'Digital Future of Automation' has developed and successfully established formats for exchange with the university, setting a strong foundation for continued growth and collaboration.
