EPLAN to hold Industry 4.0 event

EPLAN’s Industry 4.0 event will include demonstrations of integration technologies, highlighting in particular how technologies that are available right now can significantly improve integration along the value chain. The event will also explore how some of Europe’s most successful companies are already preparing for Industry 4.0.

Visitors can also participate in workshops, attend seminars and inspect exhibits from other industry leaders including Siemens, B&R, Igus, Kiesling, Omron, Phoenix Contact, Schneider Electric and Weidmuller. The workshops will cover a wide range of topics including robotics, cloud technology, software interfaces, machine safety and UK engineering predictions.

The key goal of Industry 4.0 is to create intelligent (smart) factories with a focus on cyber physical systems primarily consisting of communication technologies, software, senses and processes – all of which have the potential, through cloud technology, to communicate and interact with each other in an intelligent way.

Ken Christie, Director of EPLAN said, "Despite the perceived complexity of Industry 4.0, what companies sometimes fail to realise is that many of the key technologies are available today. As a result, many companies are only using a fraction of the potential of the technologies they already have in place, which means that they are needlessly sacrificing revenues and productivity enhancements.

"If UK companies are to compete successfully in the global marketplace, it is essential that they take full advantage of Industry 4.0 has to offer. Germany’s National Academy of Science and Engineering has stated that Industry 4.0 could lead to a 30% increase in industrial activity, which is hugely significant in today’s post-recession economy”.