Bürkert and the holistic approach to Industry 4.0

27 October, 2017

Product development processes

Rohrbeck explained that when a product is developed, there are already three different processes that must be taken into account:

• Select to Order (STO)

• STO is where the customer chooses from the standard range of products.

• Configure to Order (CTO)

• CTO is where valve islands, for instance, are configured for specific applications.

• Engineer to Order (ETO)

• ETO involves developing a completely new solution.

“For all of these, the platform concept mentioned above once again plays a key role in realising these types of bespoke solutions cost-effectively,” he said. “However, the expert in fluid control already has many of these processes well under control today: In the case of valve islands, for instance, hundreds of thousands of which are delivered each year, the average batch size is 7.”

Based on this strategy and the underlying skills, Rohrbeck pointed out that new business models can then emerge. “Initial examples include the EDIP platform as well as the On-line Analysis System, the Mass Flow Controller 8741/8742/8745/8746 or valve islands 8652/8653/8647, which can already be produced in batch sizes of 1,” he explained. “This shows how important it is to lay a solid foundation for Industry 4.0.”

However, Rohrbeck added that it is not just digitisation within the company that plays an important role; there is also the market and the individual customer. He explained that an important concept in this context is Service 4.0. “Only if the production and logistics processes as well as the products are smart can customers access all the information they need, such as when a service is due, or receive immediate assistance should problems arise,” he said.

Looking to the future, Rohrbeck concluded that Bürkert is focused on keeping one step ahead of the market; using smart solutions and new business models to make Industry 4.0 a reality.