Bosch is working on a factory that can be altered with ease – barring walls, ceilings, and floors. Assembly lines are designed to have a modular structure: If a new order is pending, the machines simply restructure automatically.
A decentralized automation concept with drive and control technology makes this possible. Communication runs through 5G and energy comes from the ground via an inductive charging system.
Companies should aim to achieve new levels of flexibility to master the requirements of future production, such as continuously shorter product lifecycles, smaller batch sizes, and customized products. The prerequisite for this is gathering as much relevant data as possible. Therefore, enterprises must connect factory-wide sensors, machines, systems, and processes. In an ideal scenario, the entire production process will be transparent and it will be feasible to efficiently monitor and maintain it. Much of this is already possible as Bosch shows at HANNOVER MESSE.
Festo Optimizes Collaboration between Man and Machine