Global hub for all things Industry 4.0 and more
Making the benefits of digitalisation tangible – that was the declared objective of Hannover Messe 2017. After five days of intense activity, the organisers spoke of a thriving event. A large number of solution-seekers gathered at the event to learn more about the potential of intelligent robots, adaptive machines and integrated energy systems, taking attendance to new heights.
"More attendees, more solutions, more international – that aptly sums up Hannover Messe 2017," commented Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the managing board at Deutsche Messe. "Hannover has served as a global hub for all things related to Industrie 4.0. Every sector involved in the digitalisation of industry was on hand to showcase its answers to the key question faced by industrial enterprises everywhere: How can I best get my company into shape for the digital future? Hannover Messe has resoundingly underscored its value as a prime source of orientation for decision-makers from around the globe.”
The show's chosen lead theme of ‘Integrated Industry – Creating Value’ put a major spotlight on the benefits of Industrie 4.0 and the role of humans in tomorrow's integrated factories. As this year's featured Partner Country, Poland called added attention to the need for close cooperation throughout Europe, while impressing attending professionals with its credentials as an innovative partner to global industry.
Of the show's 225,000 attendees (up from 217,000 in 2015 as the most recent comparable event), more than 75,000 came from abroad. "This is an unprecedented figure in the 70-year history of Hannover Messe,” said Köckler. “This impressively proves that decision-makers from around the world rely on Hannover Messe as their definitive source of Industrie 4.0 orientation and solutions.” The largest number of foreign visitors came from China (9000), followed by the Netherlands (6200), India (5300) and Poland, whose 5000 visitors set a new Partner Country record. The long-term impact of Partner Country participation was underscored by an impressive 3000 visitors from the US as last year's Partner Country.
“In close collaboration with our exhibitors, we succeeded in making this year's lead theme tangible in the truest sense of the word,” remarked Köckler. “With an array of more than 500 application scenarios, the show gave real shape to the promise that digitalisation holds for industry and the energy sector.”
Cobots and factories
A new generation of robots was also in the limelight: the so-called ‘cobots’, i.e. collaborative robots, which are about to fundamentally transform the way we work in factories. Their connectivity, artificial intelligence, innovative sensors and intuitive operation allow them to communicate directly with humans, as they learn autonomously and swap instructions with other cobots. As Köckler pointed out: "There was huge interest in the displays in the robotics halls. Not only are cobots an exciting prospect for large companies – many SMEs were also at Hannover Messe to find out about these new helpers for their manufacturing operations."
From sensors to platforms
Previously, sensors were often viewed as the main technology item connecting up different machines. However, this year's event put platform solutions to the fore. Concretely, this refers to cloud-based network connections for the entire production operations, including data collection and analysis. "The trend towards the ‘digital twin' concept in the production environment is opening up entirely new vistas for industry," said Köckler. If testing can be carried out in virtual reality – for example, to see whether a new production line is going to work out – this makes it possible to bring products onto the market faster, at lower cost.
SMEs gearing up for digitalisation
Some studies warn that SMEs are not ready for digitalisation. "Hannover Messe 2017 has told a different story," said Köckler, pointing to the numerous component supplier companies exhibiting at Hannover Messe. "These companies are now digitalising their processes and establishing connectivity with their partners, because they know that their customers – from the automotive industry, for example – expect the end-to-end digital tracking of each and every part every component."
Exhibitor taster
Just a few examples of the types of cutting-edge solutions on display at this year’s event include the following:
Aerzen
Aerzen now offers a wider range of process air stages by introducing the large blower series Alpha Blower. Due to 104 model variants, this series is claimed to provide a high degree of flexibility for numerous customer applications.
Aerzen large blowers are positive displacement blowers which can be applied virtually anywhere, convincing users worldwide by their quality, reliability and performance. These blowers reach volume flows of up to 77,000 m³/h at a maximum overpressure of 1000 mbar and a maximum negative pressure of -800 mbar. This blower series is said to be ideal for demanding ranges and applications. The blowers are used for the production of gases and oxygen or in the cement, foodstuff and chemical industry for pneumatic conveyance of bulk material. With Aerzen’s Alpha Blower, the company comments that it wants to raise the proven concept to a new level of efficiency and flexibility.
Customers can select from a range of two and three-lobe rotors, as well as horizontal and vertical conveying directions, depending on the field of application and installation site. This increases the variety of models of Alpha Blower to a total of 104 variants.
Aventics
Among its key solutions focuses at this year’s show, Aventics explained how intelligent pneumatics can anticipate system maintenance. For this, Aventics used sensors and the new Smart Pneumatics Monitor – the company’s first IoT device.
Under the motto ‘Smart Pneumatics: The Driver for Predictive Maintenance’, Aventics showcased an application example; the monitoring of shock absorber functions and cylinder speeds based on an electro-pneumatic valve system. The existing sensors in the system are monitored along with the control. The data is analysed with the AV/AES series valve systems and the Smart Pneumatics Monitor. Monitoring the load allows the system to determine the current state of the shock absorber and detect wear early on. The information is then provided to the user in standardised data logs, such as the OPC-UA.
Bosch Rexroth
Connected hydraulics increase the availability of machinery and plants through condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. For this purpose, Rexroth offers scalable solutions, from individual units with local evaluation to the complete, cloud-based monitoring of large plants. Sensors measure all relevant operating conditions and software detects wear before it leads to failure. Retrofitting kits also economically integrate already installed plants into these concepts.
For its new hydraulic power unit series ABPAC and CytroPac, Rexroth optionally integrates condition monitoring functions for the evaluation of pressure, temperature, filling level and filter contamination at the plant. Based on changes to these measured values, software algorithms derive warnings and transmit them via open interfaces to the machine controls and superior systems. For the ABPAC, maintenance personnel can optionally access the condition information on their smartphones and tablets. A universally comprehensible signal logic displays the condition of the core components and of the fluid at a glance.
Donaldson Filtration
At Hannover Messe, Donaldson Filtration launched its Ultrapac Smart adsorption dryer. Modular in design, the Ultrapac Smart offers variably arranged modules and flexible installation variants. Whether standing, vertical, horizontal or attached to the wall, the Ultrapac Smart has been designed to fit the required spatial conditions. The dryer’s inlet and outlet compressed air connections can be aligned in different directions, and the prefilter and afterfilter are integrated into the adsorption dryer.
The Ultrapac Smart is also claimed to be significantly quieter than comparable adsorption dryers. It operates with noise emissions in the range of just 60 dB. This matches the volume of a normal conversation and effectively leads to a noise reduction in the work place. The noise minimisation is made possible by the development of the powerful UltraSilencer.
Gardner Denver
Gardner Denver launched Ultima, a new water-cooled oil-free compressor from its CompAir brand, claimed to offer up to 12% improved energy efficiency compared with a conventional two-stage machine with a 37% smaller footprint. Launched as part of the company’s CompAir PureAir range, Ultima is available in models from 75 kW to 160 kW and is designed for best in class performance, for applications that demand the highest levels of air quality and purity. Gardner Denver comments that Ultima uses approximately 20% less parts than a standard oil-free compressor, helping to reduce maintenance requirements and compressor reliability.
Ultima, through the controller, is iConn-ready. iConn is the all new and smart, proactive real-time monitoring service that delivers in-depth and real-time knowledge on the system to Gardner Denver’s compressed air users. It enables accurate production planning and total peace-of-mind protection, generating insight and statistics that keep users informed on performance, at the same time highlighting potential issues before they become a problem.
Hertz Kompressoren
Hertz Kompressoren showcased both new and established products at Hannover Messe 2017 in the Comvac exhibition hall. Included were new oil-free compressors and newly designed energy efficient solutions. Hertz Kompressoren launched a range of rotary screw compressors with integrated refrigerant dryers from 15kW to 110kW, and also displayed its Frecon Plus range of variable speed rotary screw compressors from 5.5kW to 315kW.
In January, Hertz Kompressoren’s parent company Dalgakıran, in collaboration with IHI Japan, launched a new range of turbo compressors, the Pet Master series oil-free reciprocating compressors and Eagle Series oil-free rotary screw compressors. Hertz Kompressoren’s reported a successful five days, with a high number of visitors coming to its stand.
IMI Precision Engineering
IMI Precision Engineering launched a new platform pneumatic actuator range, ISOLine at Hannover Messe. Built on reliable and robust IMI Norgren technology, ISOLine offers a ‘fit and forget’ system that simplifies installation, increases service life and reduces maintenance costs.
Enhancing the movement of man’s most marvellous machines, the ISOLine range introduces the IMI Norgren Adaptive Cushioning System (ACS). ACS automatically adjusts the cylinder cushioning for changing loads, so manual cushion screw setting is not required. It also removes the need for specialist knowledge and simplifies the installation process, for safer, smoother operation.
Conforming to ISO standard 15552, the product range is up to 20% lighter than previous pneumatic cylinders. ISOLine provides improved performance; it has a lower breakaway pressure and reduced minimum speed. Available in sizes 32-125mm, the streamlined design of ISOLine offers a modern look with a clean profile. For system designers, additional switch mounting gives greater design flexibility.
Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand has introduced new models to its line of Next Generation R-Series oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors, which are claimed to provide a more energy-efficient solution for customers with high capacity air requirements. The RS200 to RS250 models are available with the new, state-of-the-art single-stage airend, or the two-stage airend that is said to increase airflow by up to 16%. According to Ingersoll Rand, the new fixed-speed models are 10% more efficient compared with legacy products, while the variable speed option is up to 35% more efficient compared with the industry average.
Mattei
At this year’s Hannover Messe, rotary vane compressor manufacturer Mattei released a whitepaper revealing the inaccuracies of the current Life Cycle Cost (LCC) calculation for air compressors.
Alongside a showcase of its core product range, Mattei chose Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial show, as the launch venue for its ground breaking whitepaper, Air Compressors – The real economic and environmental impact of using the current industry standard Life Cycle Cost analysis.
Parker Hannifin
As part of its global focus on factory automation, Parker Hannifin has added smart connectivity of its pneumatic valve islands to machine controllers by introducing new IO-Link modules that can be quickly integrated with existing Parker valve ranges. Ethernet based protocol independent and vendor neutral, this new module offers plug-and-play valve compatibility for customers currently using Industrial Ethernet, meaning they can benefit from similar performance and reduced system complexity at a lower cost. This communication technology allows devices to be simply and easily integrated in the same way as all commonly used fieldbus and automation systems – users do not need to be trained in a new protocol. In addition, the network configuration can be stored or written into the code and downloaded to the device with no programming required.
Stauff, manufacturer of pipework equipment and fluid power components, launched a new concept at Hanover Messe. Stauff-Line is the umbrella brand for all services that Stauff Group companies offer in connection with hydraulic lines. The portfolio ranges from the analysis and optimisation of existing systems and the design of new ones, to the supply of all components or customised units directly to customers’ assembly or production lines.
Recently, Stauff systematically expanded its own product offerings from in-house production with the launch of the Stauff Connect range of tube connectors and the acquisition of Voswinkel GmbH in 2015. Voswinkel is considered to be one of the world's largest manufacturers of quick release couplings for hydraulic systems and also develops and produces a comprehensive range of hose connectors.
“We don’t just offer our own in-house developed and produced individual components, but also coordinate them to perfectly match each other,” said Jörg Deutz, CEO of Stauff Group.
Uniflex
The Uniflex S3 Light hydraulic hose crimper, launched at Hannover Messe, is a single cylinder machine that has no obstructions on the back end of the machine when crimping. Similarly, the new S6 Light hydraulic hose crimper is a also a single cylinder machine that has no obstructions on the back end of the machine when crimping.
The new Uniflex HM665 features a very large crimp opening that is able to crimp large assemblies without the need to remove dies. The HM665 is able to crimp 12” CAM, ANSI125/150 and ANS300. It has a genuine 600 tonne crimp force and crimp range of 450mm. Another new launch is the S10XL crimper. Uniflex’s S10 machine is a popular choice for regional industrial hose distributors. Uniflex has now extended the machine’s opening by bigger by 10mm – extending the range from 190mm to 200mm.
Additionally, the C.2 Siemens touch screen and ULS labelling system for lean production control is now available with optional branded and personal step process. Also new at Hannover, the new UPG10 guillotine cutter is simple to operate and can produce clean cuts up to 2”/75mm diameter. It is controlled by a pneumatic foot pedal for fast operation. Finally, the new HMC 1-25/30 patented C-shaped crimping tool features a unique design for radial insertion or complex automotive hose lines.
All of these new products are available from UK distributor Abdex.
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Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week
05 - 06 June, 2024
NEC, Birmingham -
HILLHEAD 2024
25 June, 2024, 9:00 - 27 June, 2024, 16:00
Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire UK
