Show Preview: Hannover Messe

From individual components to the complete intelligent factory, as well as topical trends such as energy efficiency, lightweight construction and additive manufacturing – at Hannover Messe there is a comprehensive picture of the industrial value-adding chain under one roof.

“The technologies needed for the successful digitalisation of industrial production are fully developed and ready to go,” says Deutsche Messe managing board member Jochen Köckler.

“The task now is to ensure that decision-makers from industry and the energy sector understand the direct, long-term benefits that digitalisation can offer them and their organisations, business models and employees.”

It’s a landscape in which mechanical engineering and IT are converging. This is digitalisation, and Hannover Messe will show visitors how to recognise its benefits and make them their own

 Jochen Köckler, Deutsche Messe managing board member

This year’s event will sport an array of highlights, including a record 500-plus Industry 4.0 applications, self-learning robots with near-human touch sensitivity, and advanced technology solutions for a more sustainable future. The show will also boast approximately 6,500 exhibitors.

Köckler adds: “The world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology will present solutions for all parts of the industrial landscape. It’s a landscape in which mechanical engineering and IT are converging. This is digitalisation, and Hannover Messe will show visitors how to recognise its benefits and make them their own.”

Modular production

Industry 4.0 technologies are becoming increasingly important to process engineering industries, as well as manufacturers of measuring equipment and process automation technology.

The chemical/pharmaceutical industry is developing new modularisation concepts for its process equipment in the context of even shorter product introduction times, with the goal of substantially increasing the flexibility of process engineering plant and equipment.

“Plant and equipment designed for module-based production require intelligent and modular automation technology, leading to a whole new set of requirements for manufacturers of automation technology,” reports Gunther Koschnick, managing director of the automation association within the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI).

Staged during Hannover Messe in Hall 11 (stand D44), the special ‘modular production’ display will feature technical implementation concepts involving modular automation, providing a glimpse of the future.

Modular production will streamline engineering, make production more flexible, reduce time to market, boost efficiency and generally lead to greater competitiveness

Gunther Koschnick, managing director, automation association, ZVEI

Organised by ZVEI, the group pavilion is supported by NAMUR (the user association of automation technology in process industries) and ProcessNet, along with the following 12 enterprises: ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, Festo, HIMA, Phoenix Contact, R. Stahl, Samson, Siemens, Wago, Yokogawa and SpiraTec.

The exhibits presented by these companies at Hannover Messe will reflect their ideas and solutions – for example, a container for the chemical processes involved in leather processing – while at the same time offering a visualisation of the ‘module type package’ for modular production.

“Modular production will streamline engineering, make production more flexible, reduce time to market, boost efficiency and generally lead to greater competitiveness,” declares Koschnick.

He adds that automation technology is developing ever more in the direction of providing “the appropriate technical support for modular process engineering equipment”.

New technology

Hannover Messe is a hotspot for all the latest developments involving the digitalisation of production (Industry 4.0) and energy systems (integrated energy), and will feature seven parallel shows: Industrial Automation; MDA – Motion, Drive & Automation; Digital Factory; Energy; ComVac; Industrial Supply; and Research & Technology.

* More information about the event is available on the show’s website: www.hannovermesse.de/home