INDUSTRY 4.0 g
networks they can train with their images. ‘We’re the ones providing architectures and computational power in premises, whereas in the long run an automotive manufacturer will not accept this kind of hardware and software installed in their premises. Tey want to move this around the globe and copy it as quickly as possible, and that works much better if it’s cloud- based,’ Kegel continued. ‘Te software intensive [processes] – and
image processing is software intensive – will move into the cloud and have other payment models,’ he said. Professor Dr Roman Dumitresco,
managing director of technology network It’s OWL and director at Fraunhofer IEM, added that there has to be a benefit for the customer to move to a pay-per-use model, but agreed it will happen eventually. It’s OWL – standing for Intelligent Technical Systems OstWestfalenLippe – is part of a cluster of 200 companies, research institutes and organisations developing solutions for intelligent products and production processes. It is considered one of the largest Industry 4.0 initiatives for SMEs. Pepperl and Fuchs provides industrial
sensors and has a division that deals exclusively with image processing and image solutions. Te firm is working on 3D data processing using lidar scanners. ‘We are in the eye of the storm of
Industry 4.0 – the sensing side,’ Kegel said. ‘Actuator networks are already available, but the sensing side is not developed as far as we thought. It is definitely a large working package for sensor manufacturers and sensor integrators to contribute to Industry 4.0.
factory designed for only one specific product line are truly over’
‘It’s not just another wave of automation
technologies, not just another fieldbus,’ he added. ‘It’s something substantially different, and it leads us into new data- driven businesses.’ Kegel explained that the transition
to a digital, connected shop floor in manufacturing takes longer than in other sectors, because in industry changes only happen when they create user benefits. ‘We can’t throw away whatever we have,’ he said. ‘Nobody is willing to reinvest just because there’s some fancy new technology around as long as this doesn’t give any benefit.’ Companies like Pepperl and Fuchs
therefore have to prove that new sensing technology is beneficial and brings more efficient processes, higher quality services and a more flexible business. ‘In industry, we see a lot of effort in
improving existing processes and existing business models instead of looking for completely new business models,’ Kegel said. ‘We hope new business models will come when we have finally completely digitised our shop floors [and] our machines,’ he continued. ‘Ten, with this enormous amount of data, these plants will generate new business models automatically. At least, that’s our belief. Currently, 90 per cent of what we do is really focusing on improving what we already have as digital
Chip shortage to slow vision sector recovery
Dr Dietmar Ley, Basler’s chief executive, has said the worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips ‘is the biggest risk’ to the machine vision industry’s recovery from disruption caused by the pandemic. He made the remarks during the European Machine Vision Association business conference, which was held virtually in June. He said that it could take
between 50 to 100 weeks for orders of semiconductor components to be delivered, and added that he doesn’t
see this softening before the end of the year. The problem, as Ley
explained, is that demand is so high from large consumer electronics firms and automotive firms, that small- and medium-sized companies with lower volume orders find themselves at the back of the queue. Ley said that, having
spoken to semiconductor companies, this is the worst crisis in 30 years. Arne Dehn, chief executive
of Stemmer Imaging, added that the shortage for European firms is
6 IMAGING AND MACHINE VISION EUROPE VISION YEARBOOK 2021/22
compounded because of high domestic demand in China, where a lot of semiconductor manufacturing takes place. Dehn said that it’s important to be honest with customers and not promise delivery times that can’t be met. He also noted that further standardisation of products was one way to reduce the impact of future semiconductor chip shortages. Last year, the vision sector in Germany declined by a comparatively small four per cent, according to data from the VDMA. This is compared to
the robotics and automation sector as a whole, which fell by 18 per cent. The VDMA is predicting
an increase in growth of 11 per cent this year for robotics and automation in Germany. Wilfried Eberhardt, chairman of VDMA Robotics Automation, commented: ‘Order books in particular are currently filling up fast.’ But he added that ‘better sales figures will be achievable if current supply bottlenecks for key components can be overcome’ – which must include semiconductor chips.
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www.imveurope.com
technology, rather than trying to invent new business models. Tat’s a difference. People that come from other areas normally look at industry and don’t understand why the disruptive nature of digital technology hasn’t kicked in that strong like it did in other areas.’ Dr Tomas Scheiter, head of technology
for IoT at Siemens, noted that, in most architectures at the moment, IoT sensors are largely separate from the control system, but that, in the future, there will not be this separation. He said that Siemens is now running
into questions around the quality of data from sensors, and also the topic of digital calibration certificates. Other aspects are ease of use and how to bring in sensors
‘Te days of having a
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