EAP: Early Adopters program. The EAP gave the chance to external companies to engage with experts from the pilot lines of the OPLN and test the technology developed within the frame of DIMOFAC.
About SSF Early Adopters Program
Their technology offers standardized APIs with AAS
models and modular production concepts, which integrate easily
into existing manufacturing systems and stand out for their
flexibility.
They found the experience with beneficiaries efficient, but
regional proximity would have been preferable. Positive feedback
was received from early adopters, and the company views the
experience as a work in progress.
Solutions Implemented:
1. Discovery of New Manufacturing Methods
Through their involvement in DIMOFAC, they had the opportunity to discover and explore new manufacturing methods,
such as carbon production. This exposure to novel techniques could potentially open up new avenues for innovation and
diversification within their company.
2. Efficiency in Collaboration
Michael noted that the experience with DIMOFAC’s EOI initiative was efficient for their company. This suggests that the
collaboration process was streamlined and productive, allowing for effective communication, knowledge sharing, and
progress towards shared goal
Key Insights
The main characteristics of the technology offered by the Open Pilot Line include standardized APIs with AAS models and modular production concepts.
The Open Pilot Line provides roughly 1000m2 of space with around 50 demonstrators showcasing modern production concepts. It emphasizes flexibility and ease of integration, allowing for hands-on activities and demonstration of various manufacturing processes.
The technologies offered by the Open Pilot Line are designed to seamlessly integrate with current setups. They can be easily retrofitted into existing systems or integrated when purchasing new machines or workplaces.
This integration capability ensures compatibility and interoperability with a wide range of manufacturing setups, facilitating smooth adoption and implementation.
The company decided to become a host for DIMOFAC’s EOI beneficiaries with the aim of offering transfer activities. This decision aligns with the role of the Swiss Smart Factory research group and its mission to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration within the manufacturing industry.
By hosting DIMOFAC beneficiaries, they sought to provide valuable opportunities for learning, discovery, and innovation in manufacturing processes.
Regarding replicability, Michael Wendling believes that the case is replicable, but pricing depends on the content chosen by the company.
They have already sold this service to regional companies and offer pricing details on their website. While the specific implementation may vary based on individual client needs, the underlying concepts and methodologies can be adapted and replicated for similar applications in other contexts.
Michael Wendling envisions their technology becoming more user-friendly in the next few years. He anticipates a focus on making technologies increasingly accessible to users, allowing for up-skilling and gamification within the manufacturing industry.
This suggests a shift towards more intuitive and user-centric designs, aimed at empowering a broader range of companies to engage with and benefit from digitalization efforts..
Testimonial:
Key Benefits
- Cutting-edge Technology Offerings: Switzerland Innovation, through initiatives like the DIMOFAC Open Pilot Line, provides cutting-edge production concepts and technologies. These include standardized APIs with AAS models and modular production concepts, emphasizing flexibility and ease of integration.
- Efficient Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: Switzerland Innovation’s participation in DIMOFAC’s EOI initiative facilitated efficient collaboration and knowledge exchange with beneficiaries. This allowed for the discovery of new manufacturing methods and valuable insights for innovation within the industry.
- Client Support and Service Replicability: Switzerland Innovation supports clients through proof-of-concept projects and offers their services to regional companies. They believe that while specific implementations may vary, the underlying concepts and methodologies are replicable and adaptable for similar applications in other
contexts.
Developer
Project info:
The use case DIMOFAC project which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870092, aiming to help factories implement a smart factory architecture that will allow them to be more reactive to a personalised demand and changing market dynamics.