Networking works

Our network is really quite unique. Our research scientists discuss common issues and work together with experts from our member companies to develop solutions. The work focuses on the real needs of the shop floor. We develop technical solutions in keeping with the concept of Industrie 4.0 by taking theoretical concepts and evaluating them for their potential for practical integration in our demonstrator ecosystem. The results and innovations flow back into the circle of active partners. We occasionally publish white papers that are available for Download on our website.

SCOPE OF PERFORMANCE

Gemeinsam forschen in der SmartFactoryKL
The SmartFactoryKL research network coordinates joint research and development activities with our member companies. SF-KL identifies topics of interest in regular exchanges with partners, seeks funding to support research projects on the regional, national, and international levels, and forms competent consortia, if necessary.

A highly qualified, well-trained, and experienced staff in Kaiserslautern ensures state of the art knowledge is applied to all of our R&D projects. Our research scientists also support the completion of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs

SmartFactoryKL has had a regular presence in Hall 8 at the fairgrounds ever since 2014. We are located directly across from the Industrie 4.0 Conference Stage, where we reach a broad audience together with our co-exhibiting member companies. Staff members present topics related to the production of tomorrow at several venues, i.e., 5 times on the I4.0 Conference Stage in 2023, sometimes together with member companies.A guided tour at Hannover Messe 2023, organized for the first time by SF-KL, had the title “What are the key technologies required in the production of the future.” Of all the tours, it garnered the greatest interest. Another highlight in 2023 was the participation of two pioneers of Industrie 4.0, Professors Henning Kargermann and Wolfgang Wahlster, who took part in a panel discussion on stage with Prof. Martin Ruskowski.

Once a year, we hold an Innovation Day for invited guests in Kaiserslautern. Government ministers and state secretaries can always be counted on to give the opening remarks.

At the close of the agenda, we give a tour of our shared production system and present the latest breakthroughs in the key enabling technologies, such as administrative shells, 5G, safety, and multi-agent systems, etc.

Innovation Day is also a networking event for our members to meet stakeholders from the government and private sectors.

Gemeinsam entwickeln in der SmartFactoryKLSmartFactoryKL members contribute to various topics in the working groups. There, they coordinate technical developments, trends, visions, and ideas. Our findings are incorporated in the production level 4 demonstrator ecosystem,  for example, as new use-cases or published in the form of a white paper. The team of researchers at SmartFactoryKL moderate and organize the exchanges with the partners.

Gemeinsam testen in der SmartFactoryKL

We provide a manufacturer-independent, realistic research and demonstration environment (demonstrator ecosystem) through our network of industrial companies and research institutes. The demonstrator landscape serves our active members as a testbed for new technologies, control architectures, and ai methods and components.

System components and control elements from a wide range of manufacturers can be integrated, tested, and further developed as part of prototypes and pilot projects. The visibility of such implementations is enhanced by their presence in the demonstrator landscape, e.g., at the Hannover Messe, in social media, or during official government visits to Kaiserslautern.

Gemeinsam realisieren in der SmartFactoryKL

We support our members, partners, and customers in all phases of consulting projects: from the identification and evaluation of use cases, to the design of individual Industrie 4.0 solutions and their integration in existing production processes, to the technical coordination of Industrie 4.0 projects. We also work on the development of migration strategies for follow-up activities. In principle, we are open to inquiries and orders from any company, including those outside our circle of members. We enjoy developing our findings in application-oriented work projects for practical use in industry.

Just contact us, Jonas Metzger takes care of industrial projects and technology transfer (+49 631 343 773 24 / info@smartfactory.de).

Gemeinsam kommunizieren: Der Messestand der SmartFactoryKL zur Hannover Messe 2017. ©SmartFactoryKLFirst introduced in Kaiserslautern, the term Industrie 4.0 has spread around the world. Also, the first Industrie 4.0 demonstrator system and the first Production Level 4-Demonstrator were constructed here. The success of these systems makes SmartFactoryKL a much-in-demand contact for policy-makers, associations, universities, and research institutions.It is in keeping with our philosophy to be in discussion with all stakeholders who have an interest on the production of the future. That is why we cultivate contacts in all sectors of society to ensure the progress of our research and development in terms of useful content. We are well networked with major organizations such as vdma, Hannover Messe, zvei, din, plattform Industrie 4.0 etc., so that our research projects are always up to date with the latest relevant discussions.
Contact
Stephan Hamm
Contact person for questions about the association, the AG and the Praxisforum
Dr. Ingo Herbst
Contact person for the Innovation Day and the WORKING LUNCH
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