Future electronics production initiative to be launched at this year’s productronica
9 October 2013
News
When it opens its doors in Munich from 12 to 15 November this year, the productronica trade fair will focus special attention on a future project being dubbed ‘Industry 4.0’.
The initiative builds on the groundwork laid by the forerunner SOPRO (self-organising production) project which was introduced at productronica in 2009 to develop a platform for machines and workpieces to communicate with one another via chips and learn from each other to organise the logistics chain inside and outside the factory and to allocate their work themselves.
Whether optimised process control, automation or the intelligent planning of resources – the use of software solutions, sensors and embedded systems in electronics manufacturing is diverse. To move the entire production process forward and make it more transparent, future projects such as Industry 4.0 and production-related systems such as MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) are seen as key factors for the industry. They also improve the transparency of all functions and processes that are critical to the production process.
The panel of prominent speakers at productronica’s CEO roundtable will discuss Industry 4.0 on the first day of the fair, and the Innovation Forum in Hall B2 will focus on this topic on the third day of the fair.
The project is part of the German government’s high-tech strategy which will see the country’s Ministry of Education and Research and Ministry of Economics invest 200 million Euros to help establish Germany as a leading supplier of cyber-physical systems (CPS) – autonomous, networked microsystems and the next step in embedded system development.
Important objectives in the transformation process to CPS are even stronger automation and monitoring to be able to control companies and entire added-value networks in near real time. International exhibitors of manufacturing and process software will be represented at the fair and present their solutions for the electronics industry as a basis for implementing Industry 4.0.
For more information visit www.productronica.com
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version