It´s OWL Shows New Solutions For Industry 4.0 At Hannover Messe

Big data, complex machines and individualized products increase the demands on employees in manufacturing companies. Industry 4.0 will therefore only succeed if new technologies simplify the development and operation of production facilities and support the employees.

Bring new development methods to companies

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roman Dumitrescu, Managing Director of it´s OWL Clustermanagement GmbH: “The path to Industry 4.0 is different for every company. Technologically, many applications are possible. But the human being remains in the center. We now have to bring assistance systems, procedures for intuitive operation and new development methods to companies - especially small and medium-sized ones. It is important to promote technology acceptance and to involve employees. That is currently the focus of our activities at it´s OWL."

The increasing complexity of machines and systems places new demands on development work. In teams distributed worldwide, engineers develop new products and production processes together. Using digital technologies, previously separate business areas such as sales, service or development can work together more efficiently. For example, the Fraunhofer Institute for Design Technology Mechatronics IEM makes technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) available to companies. As a result, additional digital information can be displayed as virtual objects, images or videos in the user's field of vision using data glasses.

Check development drafts with smart glasses

At the trade fair, visitors can experience how AR works in product development using the example of developing an industrial centrifuge that is used for the production of milk or apple juice. The centrifuge is optimally adapted to its later place of use already at the design stage. Data glasses project current development designs directly to the later installation location. In this way, the sales employee recognizes the necessary adjustments on site and can forward them digitally to his development team. Complex correction loops in development can be reduced to a minimum. The effort for product development, testing, installation and commissioning is significantly reduced. From ordering a new centrifuge to putting it into operation, companies will save time and money in the future.

Information and communication technologies are also changing the world of work in other areas of the company. For example, tablets are used in production to support work processes or assistance systems for complex assembly processes.

Content of the article:

• Page 1: it´s OWL shows new solutions for Industry 4.0 at Hannover Messe
• Page 2: Mobile assistance systems in production
• Page 3: Social aspects of work design

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