March 2021

News 0 6 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk March 2021 The corona pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of industry. At the same time, it has exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains. In the midst of unprecedented upheaval, industry faces a crucial question: Which strategies, measures and partnerships ensure competitiveness? HANNOVER MESSE Digital Edition – the central platform for innovation, networking and orientation in the age of industrial transformation – provides the answers. Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG, commented: “Industrial companies have to carry out in a few months what would otherwise have taken years.” He added: “This requires a platform where challenges can be discussed, solutions presented and networks expanded – which is exactly what the Hannover Messe Digital Edition is. Even in times of Corona, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology remains the central platform for innovations and solutions surrounding industrial transformation.” The Hannover Messe Digital Edition – which features an expo, a conference and networking – focuses on the needs of visitors. “We create the greatest added value for our exhibitors because our platform creates the greatest maximum benefit for their customers,” explained Köckler. In the EXPO area, visitors have direct access to extensive product overviews from exhibitors. Best-case applications, video tutorials, live streams, and video chats enable them not only to learn about specific solutions for optimising their processes, but also to enter into direct exchange with exhibiting companies. Hannover Messe Digital Edition’s conference programme starts on Monday, 12th April, with a focus on economic policy issues: What effect does Corona have on globalization? What role does Europe play in the concert of world powers? How will transatlantic relations change following the Trump era? German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open Hannover Messe Digital Edition. From Tuesday to Thursday, the focus is on technological innovations and solutions. What role does AI play in industry? How can data generate added value? What potential does hydrogen offer industry? From specific use cases to long-term future strategies, speakers at the conference area inspire visitors with ideas and visions and provide concrete methods for their companies. Presenters include AI legend Toby Walsh; Eugene Kaspersky, founder of IT-security company Kaspersky Lab; and Claudia Kempfert from the German Institute for Economic Research. The WomenPower career congress runs on Friday, 16th April, under the motto “RESET.RETHINK.RESTART”. The programme includes workshops, panel discussions and new networking solutions.All visitors at Hannover Messe Digital Edition can directly contact exhibitors, speakers and other visitors. A personalised entry page supports this with a corresponding dashboard that displays the companies, speakers and participants relevant to the respective visitor. From there, the visitor can initiate a direct contact request and then connect via chat or video call. igus joins global automation body Profibus & Profinet International (PI) igus has joined the world’s largest automation membership body to advance the research of Profinet technology in dynamic applications. The focus for Profibus & Profinet International (PI), which has more than 1700 members worldwide, is the continuous development of Profibus and Profinet technology, the two most important enabling technologies in automation today. igus, which has its UK headquarters in Northampton, has embraced Profinet technology, with its chainflex cable range offering nine different Profinet cable types, all specifically developed for continuous movement in an energy chain. John Barker, Chainflex product manager at igus, the global manufacturer of energy chain systems and polymer plain bearings, said: “Profinet is increasingly important in dynamic applications so we are delighted to have joined PI as a global cable manufacturer. We are committed to further advancing the development of this exciting technology, ensuring our customers benefit from cable solutions that always meet existing and new electrical requirements.” Profinet, the world’s leading Ethernet- based communication solution for industrial automation, offers clear advantages for industry: a large amount of data can be transferred at up to 100 Mbit/second based on the Ethernet protocol. This technology can prove challenging for standard cables when used in a moving machine, especially where space is restricted. For this reason, igus has been developing cables that are specifically suitable for use in energy chains and on robots for more than 25 years. Hannover Messe digital set to showcase in April