Digital Factory
Marco Prüglmeier: How can we implement innovations on time and be ready for the future of logistics?
Should different companies think differently about innovations in logistics? How can we navigate the market’s wide range of automation technologies and choose the right one? An interview with Marco Prüglmeier, CEO of i2market, about whether a blueprint exists for a successful future in logistics – but also about his new book Innovations in Logistics.
Digitalisation and Automation of Continental Automotive Plants
Holistic approach to digitalisation. You either digitalise or you don’t, there’s no doing it halfway. This should be THE approach to digitalisation, according to Tomáš Vondrák, Managing Director of Continental Automotive Czech Republic, who spoke at the Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference (TAL) on September 21st in Pilsen. We summed up Tomáš’s most inspiring points in this article.
Ivan Marinec: The role of data in the digitalisation of automotive logistics
The typical causes for automation failures all usually share the same roots. These are: low-quality data, poor knowledge of the system’s possibilities and a lack of courage. How can you make the most of the new prospects brought by digitalisation while maintaining logical and sensible goals?
The right balance in logistics and where to find it
The most modern approaches in logistics—why should you be aware of the latest trends? How to find the right balance in logistics and keep it? At the Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference (TAL) 2021, Marco Prüglmeier talked about different approaches to robotization in logistics, showed the most revolutionary technological innovations, and mentioned some cons of automatization.
The Technology Trends That TAL 2021 Speakers Are Calling the Future of Automotive
Automotive is undergoing the biggest disruption in all the years of its existence. New technologies are coming to the fore, and if you cannot flexibly adapt, you’ll lose a lead that is very hard to earn back. What important trends are transforming logistics today in the eyes of the experts who spoke at Trends in Automotive Logistics 2021?
Driving trucks from home, and UX as an engine for digitalisation: The most interesting quotes of TAL 2021
Seeking the right balance for automotive logistics – that was the main theme for this year’s Trends in Automotive Logistics conference, held in Pilsen on 21 September 2021. A total of fourteen speakers from throughout Europe came to share verified tips and experience gained from digitalisation projects. How do automotive logistics experts see the future? We’ve chosen the most inspiring statements from this year’s conference just for you.
The TAL 2021 Conference: Logistics Digitalisation Must Come with Balance
Fourteen speakers from throughout Europe assembled in Pilsen on 21 September for the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference, organised by Aimtec in cooperation with IHK Regensburg and DTIHK. The automotive logistics experts appearing on the conference stage included Marco Prüglmeier from i2market and Michael Schneider from idealworks. The topic of establishing the right balance regarding logistics digitalisation accompanied the entire programme. And the conclusion? Constant balancing, the seeking of new paths and evaluation of individual solutions’ pros and cons is, the speakers say, what is most likely to guarantee success for both small projects and cross-company transformations. TAL 2021’s participants found confirmations of this in the majority of the conference presentations.
Automotive should learn from e‑commerce. Through data and digitalisation.
A digital‑first approach to logistics innovation by idealworks
When BMW’s new spinoff, the fully owned subsidiary idealworks, was founded in November last year, the message was fairly clear: This Munich startup – which is partnering with major players such as NVIDIA Corporation, ADLINK Technology, and SICK – is reimagining autonomous logistics and changing the way intelligent robots work. We spoke to idealworks’ CEO, Michael Schneider, about the startup’s first year of business, its goals for next year, and his presentation at TAL 2021.
Automotive for a New Age: Localised Manufacturing and Supply Chains Alongside New Business Models
For over a year now, the global economy has seen a trial by fire, and it is struggling with the impacts of anti-epidemic measures. In automotive, the pandemic has mercilessly revealed the vulnerability of global manufacturing and supply structures, and meanwhile this sector is seeing the greatest change in a century, with combustion engines gradually giving way to electric.
We learned while doing – and always valuing decency and good relationships
Aimtec is celebrating its 25th birthday. That’s why we couldn’t resist asking its co-founder Jaroslav Follprecht what has changed and what events most strongly shaped the company – but also how hard it is and has been to find work-life balance.
TAL 2021: The topic for automotive logistics in 2021 will be finding a balance
Audi, BMW Group, ŠKODA AUTO, ZF Friedrichshafen, Volkswagen, Eissmann Group Automotive – návštěvníci konference Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) už měli v minulosti možnost vyslechnout si zkušenosti, případové studie a inspiraci od těchto velkých hráčů v automotive a také od desítek jiných. Loni v únoru přilákal jubilejní 20. ročník do Plzně téměř 300 českých i zahraničních účastníků, kteří podle zpětné vazby odjížděli spokojeni. I v letošním roce chystáme inspiraci v podobě toho nejlepšího z logistiky v automotive. Posun na podzimní datum 21. 9. 2021 vidíme jako příležitost setkat se v Plzni znovu osobně a navázat tak na úspěšné předchozí ročníky. O tom, na co se letos můžete těšit, jsme si povídali s Romanem Žákem, předsedou představenstva Aimtecu.
Local automotive manufacturing? Smart microfactories will make it possible.
Traditional production lines may soon be replaced by innovative microfactories consisting of manufacturing cells with flexible robotic stations. These can make do with a floor area that’s two orders of magnitude smaller and can be brought into operation considerably faster.
The three most common mistakes when choosing a WMS
A Warehouse Management System is capable of controlling processes throughout the whole warehouse, making it the first choice for internal logistics. The latest study by the SKLAD association has shown that an unbelievable 53% of Czech logistics companies want to invest in a WMS over the next year. Are you among them? Then make sure that while you’re choosing, you’re not making any of these mistakes that can endanger the whole project’s success!
Three real‑world examples of how to configure the system for controlling logistics and production
Today, when the demands on businesses and how they work are changing nearly non-stop, it is essential to be able to react quickly and gain control immediately even in tough situations. And so it is no surprise that custom configurability is also a fundamental matter for WMS, MES and APS, among other logistics and control systems. The trend is clear – customers seek a system where their hands and minds are free to create their own transactions and processes and shape their system’s future development. But is this truly possible?
When transformation is not a trend, but a necessity
An automobile comprises about 20,000 parts. Some components are so unique you could count their suppliers on just one hand. If on top of that you’re forced to speedily switch to a new supplier, the whole process can become a nightmare. We probably needn’t quiz you on why this information is so interesting of late…
Digitalisation goes hand in hand with automation. And it can bring companies durability and flexibility.
Projects aiming to automate logistics tend to be a major challenge for companies. In this interview with Aimtec co-founder Roman Žák, we discussed the most common errors one encounters in projects like these – as well as how automation relates to digitalisation.
Automation: Keeping Your Control System in Great Shape
In our previous article on how to tackle automation, we mainly focused on your team and on how to take an efficient and modern approach to your new control system’s deployment. Today we’ll look under the hood (or into the code?) of the system itself. You want it to grow along with you – and with the evolution of your processes and the hardware technologies in use at your warehouse. So you need it to be configurable, and naturally you need to attend to its maintenance too. But you can entrust that maintenance to… automation! Join us for a look at how to “automate automation” and have a control system that’s still as good as new after years of utilisation.
Lean Manufacturing Principles Applied to a Packaging Line
Not many companies in our country have withstood its fundamental societal changes over the last 100 years without major fluctuations. The Swedish company SKF is one of the exceptions.
“We Originally Just Wanted to Improve Our Processes, but in the End We Automated Our Whole Warehouse,”
states Libor Toman from the board of directors of DŘEVO TRUST, a.s. He answered our questions just weeks after the start of live operation for their fully automated warehouse – that is, in a very special phase of the project. Mr. Toman captained the new warehouse’s investment project, and therefore we asked him about his experience and the path leading up to the automation.
MOM Is the Future! What Is the MOM of the Future?
Manufacturing companies will be facing challenges in the near future that will drive deeper and tighter interconnection of the virtual and physical world of products, machines and workers.
Vertical Lift Storage: When the Component Comes to the Operator
Navigation of the warehouse operator using light indication. World’s gone mad, what was enough yesterday, is not enough today. Production batches are getting smaller and the profitability limits of yesterday are being reconsidered today.
Integration of Systems with MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Integration of systems in a company is important not only for the elimination of errors or current data availability in separate systems.
The Data War Has Been Declared, Production Including
The avalanche of terms from the world includes Industry 4.0, Advanced manufacturing, Smart factory, Internet of Things. Each of them has a slightly different meaning but we can find common base too. Let us analyse them from the production data point of view.
Optimizing Loading and Unloading with YMS
The ever growing variety and number of products means a growing number of suppliers and customers for production companies. As a result the number of trucks to be loaded and unloaded everyday is growing too.
Planning of SMT Lines and Consequent Processes in Electronics
Practically all companies fabricating electronics use the SMT (Surface Mount Technology). In most of them, however, the production process is not finished by automatic installation.
Who Will Win the IoT Global Network Race?
The starting shot was heard. The race has been started, regarding who would build the global communication standard for the Internet of Things (IoT).
Make It Digital! Your Reward Will Be Flexibility and Speed
One of leaders in the industrial automation market, the American company Rockwell Automation claims that thanks to principles of so called Smart Manufacturing, the price of a personal computer will drop to USD 300, and of a car to USD 3,000.
Api‑Led Connectivity – Key for Successful Digital Transformation
API is a very frequently mentioned term in the area of information technology.
New I4.0 Technologies Must Be Adaptable into the Industrial Environment
The WITTE Automotive company ranks among global technological leaders. The production plant in Nejdek is the largest within the group.
Be Digital. Faster.
Czech economy, in its large portion, is oriented to the German market, and in the last year, the Czech Republic became one of top 10 trade partners of Germany.
Future of Planning from the Perspective of Industry 4.0
With respect to the implementation of information systems, production companies can currently be divided into two basic groups. The first group implements tested solutions, having a clear beginning, end, objective, and benefit.
We Live in a Time of an Accelerating Change, States Milan Zelený
Were you unable to attend September’s Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference? Or perhaps you attended the event and want a refresher on the fundamental ideas expressed there?
Sequencing Is the Trend for Today. What about Tomorrow?
Each new car model brings an increase in the number of suppliers and parts swept up in sequential delivery to the assembly line at cars’ end-manufacturers.
Automation and HW Technologies in Logistics. a Visible Part of Digital Transformation
In our last issue, we wrote about the digital transformation; about processes, people and changes to the business model.
Monitor Warehouse Staff Routes and Localise Objects in Real Time
Where on Earth is Petr with that forklift? Where have you put that blasted pallet with the parts for the Daimler order? If you’re knee-deep in questions like these, then it’s time to discover Location Based Services.
4 Development Phases Towards Digital Factory
Many manufacturing companies have already been performing digitalisation activities for quite a long time now. In the past they invested into manufacturing equipment and warehouses, which today are commonly controlled by advanced software.
Digitalisation Is All about People
In manufacturing and logistics companies, digitalisation keeps on making work easier and letting people focus more deeply on their specialisations.
The Digital Factory as MuleSoft sees it
How do you automate an entire factory? You need just three technologies: an API, the IoT and artificial intelligence, all communicating together.
The First Step on the Road to Industry 4.0 at Daiho
The individual steps in digitalising your enterprise may seem demanding. And they do demand long preparation and thorough employee training.
ERP: The Cornerstone of Every Digital Factory
It’s not just corporate IT managers who lose sleep over Industry 4.0. Members of companies’ top management often have to address this topic as well.
Not Just Smart Manufacturing – Smart Planning Too
A digital factory doesn’t just mean collecting data on production and logistics processes. It also means controlling them.
