CompositesWorld
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OCTOBER 2015 64 CompositesWorld Conference Highlights » Previous CFK-Valley Stade technical conferences have lacked nothing in the way of excellence. Papers have unfailingly revealed the latest technology from academic institutions and reported the most forward-looking automated production techniques from German industry. But two new features made the 2015 event stand apart. Te frst was the new concept of Partner Countries. Tis year's partner was Belgium, with a surprise beneft that I will come to later. Te second was announced in the conference title: "Industry 4.0 for Composites." New to many in the audience, particularly those outside Germany, the term "Industry 4.0" was coined in 2011 and refers to the integration of the supply chain based on three concepts: cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Tings and the Internet of Services, a combination which is expected to lead to what proponents call truly "Smart Industries." Opening day CFK-Valley Stade CEO Gunnar Merz opened proceedings by intro- ducing Industry 4.0 — shorthand for the Fourth Industrial Revo- lution, the follow-on to the frst, based on the steam engine; the second, on the use of electrical systems to power Ford's assembly lines; and the third, powered by today's computer-controlled machines and local networking. Merz's description, however, went beyond the concept of a smart factory to include all interfacing organizations in a Smart Complex, with a target date of 2040. The composites industry in Germany proclaims the coming 4 th Industrial Revolution. CFK-Valley Stade Convention 2015 report After Merz set the conference theme in perspective, two keynote speakers took turns at the podium. Te frst, Eva Brockhous of ptJ (Jűlich, Germany), addressed the all-important subject of funding for R&D.; In Europe, the European Union's (EU) Framework series of programs will fnish with the currently ongoing 7 th Framework and will be replaced by Horizon 2020. To encourage participation, the German government was enabling companies to obtain advice from ptJ, free of charge. Tere were strict rules for how teams of companies could be formed to be eligible for funding. Te minimum requirement was a team of three legal entities from three EU member states. Te second keynoter, Prof. Berend Denkena, head of IFW at Leibniz Universität Hannover (Hanover, Germany), picked up the Industry 4.0 theme. Denkena explained that what began as a German concept is gaining recognition globally and, although some details aren't yet defned, 4.0 involves a cloud-based system that could enable an entire industrial complex to communi- cate via smart devices: A smart machine tool, for example, might measure excessive defection of a cutter, draw a conclusion as to the cause, then take corrective action, which might include placing the order for a replacement cutter from the supplier. Wilhelm Rupertsberger, of Fill Gesellschaft mbH (Gurten, Austria), gave a wide-ranging presentation on Fill's automated production systems. Examples were given of its applications in By Bob Grifths / Contributing Writer Reforming the technological foundations CFK-Valley Stade technical conferences historically have lacked little in terms of technical excellence. That said, CEO Gunnar Merz opened the 2015 proceedings by predicting an historic shift in manufacturing, under the collective name "Industry 4.0." From there, attendees knew they were in for something extra, and many Convention sessions, indeed, were sounding boards for what many called a coming revolution. Source (left) | Michael Hensel / Source (below) | CFK-Valley Stade Convention