Production meets robotics | Fastener + Fixing Magazine

At the ‘Production meets Robotics’ event, experts from Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co KG showed how productivity and efficiency can be increased with the help of innovative technologies, automation and robotics. On 8^th February 2024, more than 30 participants gathered at the Würth Industrial Park – one of the most advanced logistics centres for industrial supply in Europe.

In light of Industry 4.0, companies have to deal with changing markets. It is no longer just automation and digitalisation that are keeping the industrial sector engaged. Integrated connection, Artificial Intelligence, cyber-physical systems, collaboration, robotics, big data and many other market trends are shaping and moulding the logistics of tomorrow. This makes it all the more important to rethink existing processes and design the future developments together with customers and technology partners. 

At the event, production and process owners, supply chain managers and general managers from a wide range of industries discussed which specific approach could be used to achieve a new level of added value along the entire supply chain in the age of Industry 4.0. The event focused mainly on exchanging experiences, opportunities and risks as well as on visions, technologies and innovations with the aim of presenting concrete ideas, concepts, measures and successful first-hand practical examples.

After introductory words, Stefan Reuss, general manager IT and digital solutions at Würth Industrie Service, held a joint presentation with Erkut Yesiltepe, head of national sales at Würth Industrie Service, which focussed on the C-parts expert’s visions for the future. What will the C-parts management of tomorrow look like and how can automated, connected systems contribute to the autonomous management of parts? In further discussions, the speakers presented their views from the point of view of technological progress. Ralf Bär, CEO of BÄR Automation GmbH, and Sandra Kientsch, vice-president sales and marketing at IDEALworks GmbH, also focussed on possible future directions in changing production structures with a keynote speech on ‘Fundamentals for adaptability in production and logistics’ based on the guiding principle of always being ‘one step ahead’ through innovation and strategic partnerships. 

There is no doubt that digital, connected systems ensure excellent progress and pave the way towards Industry 4.0. The participants of ‘Production meets Robotics’ were able to gain a personal impression of the implementation of automation and innovation during a tour of the Würth Industrie Service logistics centre. They were also shown the 65,000m² of storage and logistics space as well as the construction progress of the new high-bay warehouse. 

Interested visitors were given an insight into the interplay between the 480 employees and IT systems involved, as well as transport management, which ensures that goods get from A to B every day. Self-learning robots, professional camera inspection systems, driverless transport systems, high-bay and shuttle warehouses are used for perfectly coordinating the processes. 

The development of the company is not only visible through the structural measures within logistics but is also depicted in the world of Würth Industrie Service – a room ‘to touch’. During a guided tour, the participants were able to gain a clear picture of the company and a closer insight into C-parts management, including product and system solutions for the manufacturing industry.