Registration Open

Morning Breakfasts In Networking Exhibition Area

Continental Breakfast, Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Country Style Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes

Chairman’s Welcome

THE AGE OF AI

The State Of Smart Manufacturing: Practical Steps To A Real World Digital Transformation In The Age Of AI

Nicholas Baldwin, Senior Sales Executive, Rockwell Automation

• Insights from the ninth annual edition of ‘The State of Smart Manufacturing’ report

• How to be ready for the smart manufacturing, AI-enabled future – life favors the prepared

• Understanding the opportunities that smart manufacturing offers and selecting the best option to meet requirements

• Effectively implementing smart manufacturing solutions and organizational change management (partnering people with technology) to deliver successful outcomes

• Evaluating the benefits of smart manufacturing technologies and developing a culture of continuous improvement

OEM Panel

DRIVING EFFICIENCY

Smart Automotive Manufacturing In The Digital Age

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of smart manufacturing. This panel discussion will delve into the innovative strategies and technologies driving efficiency and productivity in automotive manufacturing processes.

• Explore how the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing automotive manufacturing, enabling predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and adaptive production processes

• Discuss the role of digital twins and simulation in optimizing production workflows, reducing time to market, and enhancing product quality through virtual prototyping and testing

• Examine the impact of robotics and automation on assembly lines, highlighting advancements in collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for increased flexibility and agility

• Explore how data analytics and visualization tools are being utilized to analyze vast amounts of manufacturing data, uncover insights, and optimize decision-making processes for continuous improvement

• Address the cybersecurity challenges inherent in smart automotive manufacturing, including protecting sensitive data, securing interconnected systems, and mitigating potential cyber threats to ensure operational resilience

• Examine strategies for optimizing supply chain management in the automotive industry, leveraging smart technologies such as blockchain for transparent and efficient logistics, inventory management, and supplier collaboration

• Highlight the importance of workforce upskilling and training programs to empower employees with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly digitalized manufacturing environment, fostering innovation and competitiveness

HOW AI IS SHAPING THE FUTURE

Sustainability Meets Efficiency: How AI Is Shaping The Future Of Manufacturing

Dr Paulina Sierak, Head of Data Efficient Automated Learning, Fraunhofer Institute of Integrated Circuits (IIS)

• How can AI be used for more efficiency and especially higher sustainability within smart factories?

• What does it mean to develop, operate, and maintain an AI solution?

• Why should you care about sustainability and efficiency of AI itself?

• Which resources do you need to set up a proper AI system and how can you be more efficient in doing so?

GEN AI TO UNLOCK AI

Clearing Data-Quality Roadblocks With Gen AI To Unlock AI In Manufacturing

Tarek Kasah, Partner, McKinsey, and Company

• Overcoming data quality challenges to unleash AI’s potential in manufacturing

• Understanding the critical role of reliable data and the common roadblocks like data silos that must be overcome and strategies for integration

• Revealing the significance of a comprehensive data quality program, involving data governance and advanced analytics

• Appreciating the impact of high-quality data on AI applications, enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and overall manufacturing processes

• Explaining the need for organizations to prioritize and invest in data quality to fully leverage the transformative power of AI in the manufacturing sector

FUTURE PROOF INFRASTRUCTURE

The Imperative Need For A Future-Proof Infrastructure Architecture For Smart Factories In The Automotive Manufacturing Industry

Dr. Stefan Muthmann, Manufacturing Field CTO, Dell Technologies

• Understanding the future of automotive manufacturing, including the evolving nature of vehicles and their lifecycles, is essential for defining appropriate infrastructure requirements

• How the rise of electronics in vehicles, advancements in ADAS/AD development, electrification, and growing connectivity pose challenges and opportunities

• The significance of a future-proof data center that can handle the vast amounts of data generated by connected vehicles and smart factories

• The growing size of factory data centers and the importance of infrastructure that can adapt and scale with the increasing data demands

• Why the future automotive Smart Factory is envisioned as a connected ecosystem extending from customers to suppliers, emphasizing the role of data, AI, and a future-proof infrastructure in shaping this transformative landscape

VISION AI-BASED TECHNOLOGIES

Emerging Vision AI-Based Technologies For Automation In The Paint Shop

Juan Carlos Garcia, Business Developer Manager, Eines Vision Systems

• Understanding how vision AI technologies are revolutionizing automation in the paint shop, offering advanced capabilities for quality inspection, defect detection, and colour matching

• Leveraging machine learning algorithms to analyse visual data in real-time, enabling faster decision-making and improving overall process efficiency

• Implementing vision AI-based systems automotive manufacturers can enhance product quality, reduce rework, and minimize waste, ultimately leading to cost savings and increased productivity

• Integrating vision AI technologies in the paint shop to enable predictive maintenance, allowing for proactive identification of equipment issues and preventing costly downtime

• Embracing emerging vision AI-based technologies to stay competitive and meet the demands for higher quality standards and production efficiency in the paint shop

Morning Networking Break

Exhibition Hall > Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks

HARNESSING DATA

Driving Efficiency By Harnessing Data To Optimize Automotive Supply Chains

Katerina Mouliadou, Innovation Lead, ATS Global

• Exploring the significance of real-time data analytics in monitoring and managing various aspects of the automotive supply chain, including inventory levels, production schedules, and logistics operations

• Discussing the role of predictive analytics in forecasting demand, enabling automotive manufacturers to anticipate market trends, optimize inventory levels, and minimize stockouts and excess inventory

• Highlighting the importance of data-sharing and collaboration with suppliers to improve visibility across the supply chain, streamline procurement processes, and mitigate supply chain disruptions

• Examining how data analytics tools can optimize production planning by analyzing historical production data, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing resource allocation to improve efficiency and reduce costs

• Emphasizing the value of end-to-end visibility in the automotive supply chain, enabled by data integration and analytics, to track materials, parts, and vehicles throughout the entire manufacturing and distribution process, ensuring timely deliveries and customer satisfaction

EMPOWER THE AUTOMOTIVE FORCE

Upskill, Reskill, Qualify, And Empower Automotive Workforce With Next Generation 3D Immersive, Interactive, And Gamified Virtual Training Solution To Accelerate Smart Manufacturing

Srinivasan Krishnamoorthi, Global Head of Virtual Training Solutions, Siemens

• The key to success of winning the smart manufacturing race in automotive is well-trained, agile, and empowered diverse workforce who can efficiently manage todays needs and are also future-ready. How this can be enabled and accelerated by next generation virtual training solutions which leverages existing 3D CAD models, digital twins, machine, and lines together with the procedures to convert them into more 3D immersive, interactive, and gamified training

• Understanding how virtual training can be instantly delivered on multiple platforms like web via any mobile device or VR goggles or classic desktops or on shopfloor work instructor screen as well

• Learn how next generation virtual training solutions makes training more sustainable and EHS compliant

• Explaining how virtual training solutions and experience of many customers confirms that automotive players are benefiting from reduction of training time by up to 50 percent, achieving quality improvements by up to 40 percent by reducing manual mistakes

GENERATIVE AI AND FOUNDATION MODELS

How Artificial Intelligence, And Specifically Generative AI And Foundation Models Will Accelerate The Transformation Of The Automotive Industry

Daniel Knoedler, Global Automotive Leader, IBM Technology

• Learn how automotive companies can leverage AI and data platforms to gain significant efficiencies across the whole value chain

• Gain insights on how automotive manufacturers can develop a competitive advantage with the help of GenAI.

• Understand how to take advantage of the latest AI technology and to learn from experts and industry peers

• Learn how the IBM watsonx platform allows OEMs to train and deploy AI models or build their own – in order to excel in all enterprise areas

• Discover how AI and foundation models can be used in a responsible and trustful way

SUPPLY CHAIN PRODUCTIVITY

Optimizing People, Processes, And Systems For Automotive And Supply Chain Productivity And Sustainability

Terry Onica, QAD Automotive Director, QAD

• Provide an overview of today’s disruptive and strategic supply chain challenges that impact the automotive industry, setting the stage for transformative solutions

• Introduce QAD’s 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes for improving overall supply chain performance and sustainability in manufacturing

• Detail the three-steps to effectively integrate the 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes across quality, supply chain, sustainability, and IT teams to maximize performance and resilience

• Explore the technological advancements necessary for end-to-end automation of these processes, emphasizing the role of ERP systems, real-time data, and digital workflows in enhancing operational efficiency

• Share case study examples on leveraging QAD’s 24 Essential Supply Chain Process approach and industry standards to improve operational performance

EMPOWER MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAINS

How To Empower Manufacturing, Supply Chains And Service Providers To Efficiently Plan, Manage, Optimize, And Execute Their Operations?

Michael Scholz,, DELMIA Expert Senior Specialist, Dassault Systèmes

• Empowering automotive manufacturing, supply chain, and service providers by providing them with the tools and strategies needed to efficiently plan, manage, optimize, and execute their operations

• Discussing the importance of robust planning processes to anticipate demand, allocate resources effectively, and optimize production schedules. This includes leveraging data analytics, forecasting techniques, and simulation models to make informed decisions

• Exploring techniques for streamlining operations, reducing waste, and improving productivity across the manufacturing, supply chain, and service sectors. This involves implementing lean principles, agile methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Highlighting best practices for optimizing production processes, inventory management, and logistics operations. This includes adopting automation, digitalization, and smart technologies to enhance efficiency and flexibility

• Providing insights into effective execution strategies to ensure smooth operations and timely delivery of products and services. This involves aligning workflows, monitoring performance metrics, and implementing agile response mechanisms to address disruptions

Networking Lunch Break

Soup, Salad, Mains, Sides, Dessert

Tea, Coffee, Juices, Soft Drinks

UTILIZING AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS

Utilizing Autonomous Robots For Inspections, Reliability And Maintenance

Roger Hebert, Sales Manager, Boston Dynamics And Spot – The Agile Mobile Robot

• Providing an overview of how autonomous robots are revolutionizing the automotive manufacturing industry

• Highlighting the capabilities of these robots in conducting inspections, ensuring reliability, and performing maintenance tasks autonomously

• Showcasing how autonomous robots leverage advanced sensors and AI algorithms to conduct thorough inspections of automotive components with unmatched efficiency and precision

• Illustrating examples of how these robots identify defects, anomalies, and quality issues in real-time, allowing for immediate corrective action

• Discussing the role of these robots in detecting early signs of wear, predicting maintenance needs, and preventing costly downtime through proactive maintenance strategies

• Learn capabilities of the quadruped robot, Spot, for reliable autonomous operations and understand the benefits for both inspection and 3D scanning tasks

• Hear how other automotive companies have adopted these robots

• See a live demonstration of Spot

THE DIGITAL THREAD

Why The Digital Thread Is Crucial To Digital Transformation

Peter Mair, Principal, Director EMEA Auto & Tire, EV, Kalypso

• Understanding that the foundation of digital transformation is a connected enterprise that unites and integrates information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT)

• Maximizing the benefits from the digital thread of information that spans the entire value chain

• Recognizing the importance of partnering with best-in-breed providers on a unified, open architecture for the automotive industry

• How to complete the work on closed-loop connectivity architecture among software solutions, starting from customer requirements

• Deploying the connected value chain software offering and tying in the software solutions with their respective physical twins to provide both virtual and real client experience

IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

IT Infrastructure And Software Solutions To Drive Smart Manufacturing

Rainer J Weigle, Head of Solutions and Sales, Schneider Electric

Tobias Ullrich, Software Leader DACH, Schneider Electric

• Understanding how the heart of industry 4.0 lies in the integration of technology into the infrastructure, networks, and key components of industrial systems

• How by leveraging software to control systems, provide data analytics, and facilitate continuous improvement, manufacturers can bridge communication gaps and empower personnel at all levels.

• Explaining how the software-driven model enables the creation of an unbroken data flow, providing valuable design and manufacturing feedback to customers

• The advantages of a software-centric approach extend beyond transparent communication; it also streamlines operations by utilizing sensors to monitor various factors, from temperature and humidity to equipment status and job progress

• Embracing a software-first approach can ensure continued growth and evolution towards smart factories

DIGITAL TWINS

Just Do It! Driving Automotive Excellence: Out Of The Scaling Dilemma With Digital Twins

Dr Ulrich Wolters, Head of product area Bosch Semantic Stack, Bosch Connected Industry

• Overcome your automotive product challenges with data-driven decision-making

• Harmonize and enrich your data from across the product lifecycle with domain knowledge to optimize your product and all product-related processes.

• Obtain full transparency on data from across the product lifecycle

• Utilize siloed, heterogeneous, and distributed data generated across the lifecycle of your product and its components by making it explorable, meaningful, and accessible for solutions that target your product challenges.

• Scale and reuse product knowledge and data: Enable scalability through the reuse of data integration and meaningful data provisioning

ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION

Manufacturing In Times Of Demographic Change: Robotics And Automation As Solution Providers

Robert Koopmann, Head of Technics Germany Technical Center, FANUC Germany

• Highlighting the demographic trends impacting the manufacturing industry, such as an aging workforce and declining birth rates

• Exploring the challenges posed by these demographic shifts, including labour shortages, skill gaps, and increased healthcare costs

• Emphasizing how robotics and automation can address the challenges of demographic change in manufacturing

• Showcasing examples of how advanced robotics technologies, such as those offered by FANUC, can streamline production processes, increase productivity, and reduce reliance on manual labour

• Discussing the specific benefits of robotics and automation for an aging workforce, including reduced physical strain, improved safety, and opportunities for upskilling.

• Illustrating how robotic systems can complement the skills and experience of older workers, enhancing overall efficiency and output

Afternoon Networking Break

Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Donuts, Snacks

AUTOMATED VEHICLE MARSHALLING

Unlocking Efficiency: Why Every Vehicle Factory Needs Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM)

George Geros, Commercial Director, Embotech AG

• Delve into AVM Technology to gain In-depth Insights

• Explore the core principles and mechanisms behind AVM technology and understand the key components and functionalities driving AVM systems

• Discover how AVM solutions are revolutionizing traditional factory vehicle movements

• Learn about the strategies employed to overcome logistical bottlenecks and streamline operations and unlock the untapped potential of AVM technology in diverse industries and applications

• Gain foresight into how AVM can transcend traditional factory settings and drive innovation across various sectors

PREDICTIVE DATA-ANALYTICS

Concepts, Trends And Examples Of Predictive Data-Analytics In Machines

Werner Reichelt, Head of Sales Digital Business, Festo

• Understanding why analyzing data predictively, will become a standard in modern machine concepts

• Learn about AI and why it must be avoided in data analysis

• Revealing the hurdles that manufacturers face today and the concepts in future

• Showing examples and best practices in various machines and applications

SMART PRODUCTION

Smart Production And Smart Engineering – A Winning Combination

Gianfranco Ruggiero, Senior Product Manager, AutoForm

• Explaining the goals of the sheet metal stamping industry in the age of smart manufacturing

• Understanding the pillars of a Smart Stamping Factory

• Discussing the role of process engineering in the creation of the physics-driven digital twin

• Revealing the challenges and opportunities of digitalization of a press line

• Providing an example of the application of a digital twin that utilizes real-time measured data

VISUAL MACHINE ERROR EXPLORATION

Increasing Productivity With Visual Machine Error Exploration

Marvin Thiele, Co-Founder, Visense

• Introducing the concept of visual machine error exploration as a crucial tool for enhancing productivity in manufacturing

• Highlighting the significance of quickly identifying and addressing machine errors to minimize downtime and optimize production efficiency

• Explaining the benefits of visually representing machine errors, such as faster troubleshooting, enhanced situational awareness, and improved decision-making.

• Discussing how visual machine error exploration streamlines the error resolution process by providing clear, actionable insights to operators and maintenance teams

• Illustrating how leveraging visual machine error exploration contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within manufacturing facilities

• Emphasizing the role of data analytics and machine learning in analysing error patterns, identifying root causes, and implementing preventive measures to optimize productivity over time

SENSOR SOLUTIONS

Sensor Solutions For Smart Logistics In Automotive Production

Andreas Hoell,Technical Account Manager VW Group, SICK

• Understanding why intralogistics in modern automotive car and supplier manufacturing facility the key towards an adaptable, flexible production

• Explaining that traditionally the areas of production and intralogistics used to be different disciplines, which is not future proofed anymore

• Discussing production logistics in a smart factory that is characterized by high transparency in production and logistics processes, high flexibility, strong interconnection of machines, products, and processes and permanent process optimizations through data evaluation

• Revealing the digitalization strategies that need to be rolled out from OT to IT

• Discussing sensors, and sensor systems on the shop floor with high intelligence and standardized interoperability to IT systems, are needed to support these new demanding challenges

Chairs Closing Remarks

All Attendee Evening Drink Reception