TOPICS & NEWS

How a digital copy of a gearwheel emerges from its "Component DNA"

New opportunities for a more precise analysis and design of value networks

With SAP S/4HANA, HENSOLDT Optronics has a real-time overview of data critical to its success. The practical example of HENSOLDT Optronics illustrates how single-stage migration to HANA and S/4HANA Finance became a win-win situation for all involved.

What SAP S/4HANA migration means for the company. In this interview, Thomas Popp of Q2factory explains the challenges the new SAP system landscape poses for CIOs, and what usage scenarios are attractive for the Industrial Internet of Things.

Infographic on the most important user features of S/4HANA. Real-time ERP suite, SAP Fiori, in-memory platform and more – we provide an overview of the new features of the SAP software.

The introduction of SAP S/4HANA: its implications and opportunities for corporate strategy. In the interview, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pasckert and Prof. Dr. Peter Gordon Rötzel from the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences describe the extent to which companies can benefit from SAP migration, and what mistakes they should avoid.

Infographic on six key S/4HANA applications for industrial companies. Various applications are available for all segments of the value chain, for the transition from the old IT world to a new SAP S/4HANA universe.

Pointers for a successful change to SAP S/4HANA. In addition to the technical service, the guiding principle of the S/4HANA integration should be a continuous development of the know-how structure surrounding the new (process) options.

Beta LAYOUT: Prototypes for new printed circuit boards developed with EOS technology. PCB specialist Beta LAYOUT faced a number of different challenges when manufacturing customized prototypes for interconnect devices. A workpiece produced using additive manufacturing that receives its functionality via direct laser structuring provided the solution.

Interview with Dr. Thomas Jüngling, CEO, H.C. Starck Surface Technology and Ceramic Powders GmbH

In an interview, Dr. Thomas Jüngling explains why the market for additive manufacturing has picked up speed and what trends and opportunities companies should be aware of.

More than just gimmicks – the use of 3D printing components in industry. Industrial 3D printing is claimed to significantly reduce production times and costs while making the supply chain more flexible. The technology has great potential to creatively transform traditional production processes across all sectors.

Fresh impetus for the future development of additive manufacturing. Rapid software development, topology optimization for functional parts and new printing materials are only a few examples of the momentum of 3D printing technology. Taking the key raw material metal as an example we illustrate which future developments are of particular importance.

Ignoring it is not an option: 3D printing is changing industry. Additive manufacturing is still seen as a limited technology in relation to overall production volume. And yet there are many indications that 3D printing will gain a firm place in industry as a production method and will change established forms of organization and process.

Bosch Rexroth AG won the "2014 Industry 4.0 Award" with its new pilot assembly line. The company implemented an end-to-end network approach – and in the process increased not just the efficiency and quality of production but also provided for greater flexibility in the way it deploys its employees and an ergonomic workplace design.

Interview with Mark van Rijmenam, Founder of Datafloq. The management of Big Data is the foundation of all IIoT-based business models. Mark vanRijmenam explains in this interview what is required for its rapid, enterprise-wide launch – and to what extent industry, which still thinks in terms of traditional supply chains, must reinvent itself.

Quality Management 4.0. Even pioneers of “intelligent manufacturing” continue to focus on standardized production and quality processes that are already defined. In spite of this, it will be vital to adapt processes and tools used for quality assurance to the smart factory in such a way that they can be deployed in a highly automated and digital way.

Key levers for a modular and efficient manufacturing Today the market for intelligent products is growing at its strongest rate in industry. If manufacturing companies wish to transform their value-added processes into digital, platform-based business models by using such products, they should be aware of various aspects.

Interview with Thomas Ebenhöch, Site and Plant Manager Regensburg, Continental Automotive GmbH Thomas Ebenhöch describes the benefits arising from the teamwork between humans and collaborative robots in Continental’s Regensburg plant.

The Backbone of the Smart Factory. IoT technologies that are currently available offer extremely interesting possibilities of organizing shop floor management more effectively and efficiently. The article explains what companies should consider when establishing an agile, transparent management system with digital tools.

Interview with Michael Berner, Production Manager, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH. How BorgWarner changed its shift planning with its own KapaflexCy app and what best practice experience was gained from it is explained by Michael Berner.

Milestones on the Road to an Intelligent Factory. Inside the “smart factory”, the way to increasing quality and output while using fewer resources is via a comprehensive model of operational excellence. The article introduces six elements that are essential to this.