IFFOCUS 1/2008 Logistics Connects
Saxony-Anhalt: Advanced Distribution Logistics Hub
Secure Logistics: Continuous Monitoring of Valuable Cargo Time and Cost Cutting Warehouse Concepts with Telematics Pinpoint Accuracy: RFID in Professional Sports
Editor’s Page
Prof. Michael Schenk Dear Readers, The Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Director of the Fraunhofer Operation and Automation IFF is a Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF and Saxony-Anhalt lies in the heart of partner to logistics companies that Editor of IFFOCUS Germany. The state's motto "We have already established themselves in Photo: Viktoria Kühne get up earlier." demonstrates its Central Germany, regardless of dynamism, drive and richness of ideas. whether they are a small and This slogan reveals the resoluteness medium-sized enterprise or a large with which business and research internationally operating global are striving forward and developing market leader. In this current issue of vigorously. IFFocus focused on logistics you will read about fascinating research serv- Saxony-Anhalt and the region of ices of today that will make the Central Germany exert an attraction advanced logistics of tomorrow pos- on the logistics industry in particular, sible. As different as our clients and which draws investors. Since logistics their requirements may be, all our companies, transport firms and distri- project work has one thing in com- bution centers are profiting ever more mon: It is intended to make people's greatly from our excellent geographic lives easier, better and more secure – location, they are increasingly locating with state-of-the-art technological here or expanding their facilities. innovation. That's what we stand for. Saxony-Anhalt has become a hub of advanced distribution logistics. By Form your own opinion, find out for land, water and air, European trans- yourself. I wish you interesting reading portation routes now crisscross in the process. Perhaps it will inspire Saxony-Anhalt, the new gateway to you in on way or another – we in the East. These emerging economic Saxony-Anhalt would then be glad to regions can best be reached from assist you to make your visions reality. here.
In the interview with Karl-Heinz Daehre, Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Your, State Development and Transpor- tation, you will find out how the state government intends to smooth the way with a new logistic concept for Prof. Michael Schenk the future.
IFFOCUS 1/2008 3 In this issue ...
News Research and Development 6 11 14 11th Science Days in Magdeburg Magdeburg Wants to Know Saxony-Anhalt, Advanced Distribution Logistics Hub BMBF Supports Virtual Reality Projects Bridge-building to Kazakhstan Planned From the Center of Germany to in the Eastern States the Center of Europe Gesellschaft für Informatik Meets at 7 the VDTC 16 Confidently into the Future with The Latest from the LogMotionLab Reliable Technology Gloves that Communicate, Boxes Interview that Count and Containers that 8 Work Anywhere Virtual Engineering: The Future of 12 German Plant Engineering "Saxony-Anhalt is the new gateway 20 to the East." It’s Time to Straighten Up! Forum Vision Maintenance Hosted Dr. Karl-Heinz Daehre, Saxony-Anhalt Time and Cost Cutting Warehouse Minister of State Development and Concepts with Telematics 9 Transportation Logistics Day Fascinates the Public 24 Off and Away 10 Intelligent Small Containers Keep Jugend forscht State Champion Roads Open Chosen at the Fraunhofer IFF 26 Wood Logistics Experts Meet in Continuous Monitoring of Hundisburg Transports of Valuables A New RFID Transponder Solution from the Fraunhofer at Wincor Nixdorf Sharp Minds Gallery
30 46 50 With Pinpoint Accuracy Professor of Precision Sensor Systems Impressions of Business, How Performance Optimization in Research and Technology Professional Sports Is Helping Improve BVL Honor for Fraunhofer IFF Director Process Flows in Companies Schenk Outlook 34 Power in the Grid Mobile Bits and Bytes 56 Lifesavers of the Future 47 Meet up with us Looking Beyond the Horizon with the 38 Fraunhofer IFF 58 Always With One's Nose to the Editorial Notes Wind Creative Researching Spirit Next Generation Maintenance Concepts ILM Recruits Distinguished Professor
42 48 "World Class Launch 2020" Career Start in Magdeburg Reveals Future Trends of Process Optimization Metrology Engineer on World Tour The Changing Automotive Industry 49 Off to South Africa with a Doctorate
Fraunhofer as a Springboard to Industry
Logistics Skills - Skillful Logistics News
11th Science Days in Magdeburg
More than 450 attendees many entrepreneurs from from twelve different coun- Saxony-Anhalt were also tries visited the Fraunhofer there," says the Director IFF – the IFF Science Days Michael Schenk, pleased. have established themselves The recipe for success is as a recognized forum for the successful mix of excel- experts from research, lent speakers on the one academia, business and hand and the fascinating government. "We are very insights into current re- proud that our conference, search work undertaken by which we always combine our researchers together with a presentation of the with their industry partners results of our research on the other hand. It is a work, is so well received. forum with unique oppor- Apart from the sizeable tunities to talk shop with Excellent speakers made the 11th IFF Science Days a crowd drawer. Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Benzinger from Daimler AG in Stuttgart spoke on international presence, leading experts. simulation tools in automotive development. Photo: Viktoria Kühne
BMBF Supports Virtual Reality Projects in the Eastern States
Schavan: “Magdeburg Is an Outstanding Center of Virtual Technologies.”
Virtual reality (VR) and ble, the Ministry of Educa- basis to strengthen the Life Cycle), AVILUSplus augmented reality (AR) tion and Research (BMBF) is competitiveness of our busi- (Applied Virtual Technolo- technologies are playing an supporting three new joint ness. Without efficient pro - gies Focused Long-range on ever greater role. These projects through 2011 with duction, Germany would be the Product and Production technologies can be used around 39 million euros as unable to be the world's Equipment Life Cycle) and wherever complex or even part of its Virtual Technolo- leading exporter." VIERforES (Virtual and dangerous process sequen- gies Innovation Alliance. Augmented Reality for ces have to be simulated to Minister of Education and The research and technical Maximum Reliability and already eliminate problems Research Annette Schavan hub of the three projects Dependability of Embedded before the start of produc- stated, "With these virtual AVILUS (Applied Virtual Systems) is the Fraunhofer tion. To advance such tech- reality technologies we are Technologies in the Product Institute for Factory Opera- nology and make it applica- establishing an important and Production Equipment tion and Automation IFF in Magdeburg. The institute is a partner to clients from medium-sized enterprises, industry, research and government. Together with its clients, it develops and optimizes solutions in the fields of logistics, virtual engineering, automation and plant engineering. "Magdeburg is an out-
Dr. Werner Schreiber, Volks wagen Konzernforschung, Dr. Rainer Jansen, BMBF and Prof. Michael Schenk, Director of the Fraun hofer IFF (l. to r.) discuss the possibilities of virtual techno logies for the automotive industry. Photo: Viktoria Kühne
6 IFFOCUS 1/2008 standing center of research Confidently into the Future with Reliable Technology and development for virtual technologies and therefore Technical devices, ma- also suited for the pilot project chinery and plants are VIERforES as part of its increasingly being filled program Advanced Research with computer technol- and Innovation in the New ogy. Where levers were States," according to Schavan. once engaged, processors Not only the BMBF but also hidden inside devices now industry partners will be activate desired functions. contributing support over the Newer and newer models next five years with invest- with increasingly sophisti- ments of 170 million euros. cated technology are entering the market. Yet, In the AVILUS project, a con- these lovely new devices sortium of twenty-eight lead - often just don't function ing German industrial compa- as reliably as they ought nies, small and medium-sized to. enterprises and research orga- nizations is developing and Germany is a recognized "We are rigorously backing strengths," said Minister of Education and Research BMBF Schavan at the press conference in Berlin on testing efficient technologies, center of technology. Ger- May 5, 2008. Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Education and Culture e.g. from the field of informa- man cars are top world- Olbertz welcomed the BMBF initiative for the eastern states. tion management. The objec- wide. We are the world's Photo: Anna-Kristina Wassilew tive of the project is user market leader in eighteen friendly technology, which can of thirty-eight technical virtual reality helps it this is not always the case, be used to create VR systems branches of machinery eliminate reservations we have to address these without effort. Volkswagen and plant manufacturing. against modern technol - issues, in particular where - AG has assumed the coordi- If this is to remain so, ogy. Findings directly ever we fully rely on nation of AVILUS. In the re- technical products must enter into the develop- machinery and devices search project AVILUSplus, be one hundred percent ment process and make and often even trust them nine research organizations safe and reliable. DVD recorders, cars or with our lives, for instance are researching aspects of entire power stations safer in traffic or in a hospital." fundamental technology So that complicated soft- and more reliable. emphasizing visualization and ware functions correctly, The Federal Ministry of interaction as well as data researchers from Magde- Ultimately, machinery and Education and Research management and methods of burg and Kaiserslautern plants should function is supporting the project measurement. will now be jointly work- faultlessly all the time. with 7.5 million euros The VIERforES project is one ing on concepts intended "Virtual reality is perfectly as part of its initiative of six pilot projects in the to help manufacturers suited for this and will be Advanced Research and BMBF's program Advanced perfect their products. instrumental in bringing Innovation in the New Research and Innovation in There is tremendous need us closer to this goal. Our States. Researchers from the New States, which is for research especially on Virtual Development and the Fraunhofer Institute building upon regional developments in automo- Training Centre VDTC in for Factory Operation and strengths. Support is intended tive, medical, power and Magdeburg has made us Automation IFF in Magde- to boost the capacity for inno- material handling engi- a national leader in this burg, Otto von Guericke vation and thus the economic neering. The researchers field," says Prof. Michael University Magdeburg, power in the eastern states. intend to take advantage Schenk, Director of the the Fraunhofer Institute The Virtual Technologies of virtual reality. Things Fraunhofer IFF in Magde- for Experimental Software Innovation Alliance was offici- that are normally invisible burg. Prof. Peter Ligges- Engineering IESE in ally kicked off at the 11th IFF shall take on form in meyer, Director of the Kaiserslautern and the Science Days. cyberspace, precisely dem- Fraunhofer IESE adds, Technical University of onstrating how software "This is an extensive topic Kaiserslautern are integrated in machinery of research. Ultimately, involved. and devices performs. technology ought to make Moreover, the vividness of people's lives easier. Since
IFFOCUS 1/2008 7 News
Virtual Engineering: The Future of German Plant Engineering und Anlagentechnik GmbH Magdeburg, on "Optimiz- Director of the Fraunhofer ing Fluidized Bed Processes IFF in Magdeburg: on the with Simulation Programs". "VIDET Innovation Cluster: Innovative Solution for The organizers, the Machinery and Plant Fraunhofer IFF, FASA, Wirt- Manufacturing, Richard schafts initiative Mittel - Sock, Project Manager at deutschland and heir part- Shell AG Hamburg on ners VDMA and VCI "Prozess Intensification: A Nordost are united by a Field Report from the common interest. Perspective of Industry" and Fraunhofer Director Michael Dr. Markus Henneberg, Schenk put it in a nutshell: Managing Director of "We must sustain and Anhaltinische Verfahrens- continue to boost the com-
Prof. Michael Schenk (l.), Director of the Fraun hofer IFF, and Dr. Rainer Haseloff (r.), Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Economics and Labor. Machi nery and plant manufacturing is the industry with the strongest growth. Photo: Viktoria Kühne
The plant engineering in- qualification and depend- dustry gathered at the Mar- able plant operation. Infor- itim Hotel in Magdeburg on mation on the current situa- March 6 and 7, 2008 for tion in plant manufacturing the conference on "Plant and beyond and the indu- Engineering of the Future". stry's future outlook was Some 200 specialists dis- provided in presentations cussed the latest trends and by Dr. Stefan R. Deibel, prospects for chemical and President of Corporate power plant engineering. Engineering at BASF AG The experts focused their Ludwigshafen on "Chal- attention on the potentials lenges in Engineering in the The conference on “Plant Engineering of the Future is a highly regarded of virtual engineering for Plant Manufacturing Indus- gathering of the power and chemical industries where experts discuss the latest trends and outtlook. Photo: Viktoria Kühne planning, engineering, try, Prof. Michael Schenk,
Forum Vision Maintenance Hosted out about the Magdeburg requirements for employee research institute's newest qualification, technical Every company has unique technologies. A tour equipment and the orga- staff, structures, goals and through the Elbe Dom, the nization of maintenance. problems. Nevertheless, LogMotionLab and the ser- Practicable solutions for many companies have vice robotics testing facility cost effective maintenance commonalities. Holistically interestingly illustrated to for today and tomorrow are analyzing the corporate the guests the high level on prominent. function of maintenance is which the Fraunhofer IFF is a key task that successful researching and setting companies perform rigo- trends in development. rously. At the Forum Vision The forum's goal is to use Maintenance FVI held at the presentations and discussi- Harald Neuhaus, President of the Fraunhofer IFF in April ons to highlight currents FVI. Photo: Dirk Mahler 2008, FVI members found trends and define future
8 IFFOCUS 1/2008 petitiveness of the Logistics Day Fascinates the Public mechanical and plant engineering industry. At the initiative of the Ger- Germany is the world's man Logistics Association leader in 18 of 38 (BVL), the first Logistics Day specialized sectors of with the motto "Logistics machinery and plant makes it possible" was held manufacturing. That can nationwide on April 17. only remain so though, The event was particularly when Germany continues intended to provide school to be an attractive loca- students and undergradu- tion for businesses. Eco- ates insight into logistics nomic policy has to face operations and careers. this and do everything to The Fraunhofer IFF, Otto safeguard sustainability von Guericke University and innovation. Only Magdeburg's Institute of then will "Made in Ger- Logistics and Material many" continue to be a Handling Systems, Magde- globally recognized seal burg Port and the Institute of quality in the future of Automation and Com- too." munication (ifak) were A sound technological involved in this day-long Logistics Day allowed visitors to experience unfamiliar aspects of logistics basis is indispensible for campaign. in Magdeburg. The were thrilled to get a look behind the scenes. such sustainability and Photo: Viktoria Kühne innovation. As a method The Fraunhofer IFF present- and tool for planning, ed its sharp minds' know- A new plant can be toured tage of this diversity to engineering, qualification how and its worldwide one- and tested virtually long demonstrate that logistics is and dependable plant of-a-kind technical facilities. before it is built. The Elbe far more than storage, operation, virtual engi- Visitors were able to Dom, the unique large transport and handling. neering is a state-of-the- explore the LogMotionLab, projection system in the Visitors learn about exam- art technology without one of Europe's leading VDTC, can realistically ples of intelligent logistics which plant manufactur- development, testing and reproduce entire factories and obtain a new, broader ers or operators will be certification labs for RFID and production facilities in picture of this field of rese- unable to manage in the and telematic technologies. three dimensions and even arch and business. future. Hence, the organ- on a scale of 1:1! According to Professor izers see the future of The ifak test vehicle provid- Michael Schenk, Director of German plant engineer- ed visitors information on The Institute of Logistics the Fraunhofer IFF and ing in the utilization of the latest technologies that and Material Handling Member of the Board of virtual engineering before detect oncoming traffic and Systems at Otto von Guer- the BVL, "We are addres- and after a plant has localize vehicles. The trans- icke University Magdeburg sing anyone who wants to been built. Already apply- portation experts presented opened the doors to its know more about logistics. ing virtual engineering in displays on vehicle telema- logistics lab. A presentation School students looking for early phases of develop- tics such as a multi-sensor by Prof. Zadek was fol- careers, undergraduates ment makes it possible to system for communication lowed by a tour through getting ready to enter the achieve potentials for between different manufac- the labs. In closing, Prof. job market and young remarkable savings. For turers' devices. Ludger Brüll from Bayer professionals find offerings instance, production Technology Services Logistik specially tailored to them. planning can be acceler- The virtual reality experts at delivered a presentation on This effectively presents and ated by 30 percent, pro- the Fraunhofer IFF Virtual "Technologies for Material explains logistics services duction costs reduced by Development and Training Identification and Tracking and solutions." 40 percent and invest- Centre VDTC guided visitors in the Process Industry" as ment costs cut by up to into the world of the digital part of the Guest Lecture 30 percent. factory. Virtual reality tech- Series at the Fraunhofer IFF. nologies have long entered modern factory planning. The organizers take advan-
IFFOCUS 1/2008 9 News
Jugend forscht State Champion Chosen at the Fraunhofer IFF
Ten young researchers at sensorless speed control of the state competition re- DC motors in autonomous ceived coveted tickets to robots. Carolin Breitling the national competition. (17) from Albert Einstein Altogether fifty-six contes- High School in Magdeburg tants with thirty-seven won the state champion - projects entered the state ship in biology. competition in Magdeburg organized at the Magde - The Jugend forscht and burg Fraunhofer Institute by Schüler experimentieren the energy service provider competitions for young E.ON Avacon. researchers remain attrac- tive to young people. The winners of the state The competition organizers competition in physics were were again able to point to Dmytro Bershadskyy (19) high registration numbers. and Daniel Ferenc Rose (18) Under the motto Viva la from Werner von Siemens Neugier young researchers High School in Magdeburg. presented their projects in The school students used seventy cities throughout experiments to analyze the the country this year. With Jugend forscht goes back to an initiative of the former Editor in Chief of oscillation modes of bub- over 10,000 registrations, Stern Henri Nannen. The competition helps identify gifted talents, whom bling fluid films. First place the forty-third competition Germany urgently needs. Photo: Dirk Mahler/E.on Avacon in technology also went to had the highest number of two students from Werner registrations since it was Saxony-Anhalt for years as provider assumed the spon- von Siemens High School. established in 1965. a sponsor of the northern sorship of the state compe- David Terlinden (19) and E.ON Avacon has been sup- regional competition. This tition for the first time. Tina Rosner (16) worked on porting the competition in year, the energy service
Wood Logistics Experts Meet in As part of the series of stemming from used prod- Hundisburg "Wood Logistics" events, ucts, it is outstandingly the Forstliche Versuchs- und suited for use as energy Forschungsanstalt Baden- and as charge material to Württemberg (FVA) and the be broken down in refiner- Fraunhofer Institute for ies. Discussions about com- Factory Operation and petition for the utilization Automation IFF jointly of timber to recover mate- extended an invitation to rial or energy are increasing discuss "Sustainably noticeably. Representatives Supplying Raw Materials" from forestry, the wood at Hundisburg Castle. processing industry, the Presentations from the field forestry service industry and concentrated on the issues the research community of mobilizing and providing presented positions, strate- timber. gies, developments and technical solutions to deal The raw material timber is with current and future again being used intensive- challenges of cost effec- ly: Whether coming directly tively and sustainably sup- Industry experts in discussion at the “Wood Logistics” workshop. from a sawmill, accumulat - plying the raw material. Photo: Viktoria Kühne ing as a residual material or
10 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Magdeburg Wants to Know
For the third time, Magde- able to shuttle between burg research organizations research facilities with great extended an invitation to ease with the popular their Long Night of Science. science busses. On May 31, visitors to these institutions were allowed to The Magdeburg Fraunhofer see what is usually hidden Institute opened the doors from view: Labs, research to both its facilities. On instruments, shops and Sandtorstrasse, visitors were teaching facilities. More able to look over the shoul- than 10,000 visitors mar- ders of experts in robotics, veled at the diversity of metrology and logistics. research in Magdeburg. At the VDTC in the Port of Science, they were able to The Long Night of Science enter virtual realities or lis- commenced with a varied ten to explanations of the stage program from media Process and Plant Engineer- partner MDR 1 Radio ing Business Unit's test labs. Sachsen-Anhalt in the Port of Science. Visitors were Big and small playfully displayed their enthusiasm for research. Photo: Andreas Lander
Bridge-building to Kazakhstan Planned Gesellschaft für Informatik Meets at the VDTC
A joint delegation from field of logistics and tech- The Gesellschaft für Infor- which the latest research the Fraunhofer IFF and nical training. By way of matik's (GI) VR/AR Technical findings and ongoing the German Logistics Russia, Kazakhstan is Group will hold its annual projects are presented. Association BVL traveled assuming an ever more meeting at the Fraunhofer to Kazakhstan in early June. important position as a IFF VDTC in Magdeburg on To register and for detailed Their interest centered on transport corridor between September 25 and 26, information visit: www.gi- economic development, China and Europe because 2008. workshop-vrar.org. possibilities for collabora- of its very favorable geogra- tion and preparations to phic location. It is primarily intended to launch cooperations with give young researchers the companies and institutions In the capital of Astana, the opportunity to their re- of higher learning in the representatives of business, search work to a knowl- academia and researched edgeable audience. The who traveled along held group includes ongoing talks with Minister of doctoral research and out- Economics Bakhyt Sultanov, standing undergraduate Vice Foreign Minister Kairat studies from institutions of Sarybay and German Am- higher education. bassador Rainer Schlageter. President Abzhaparovich of The GI's VR/AR Technical Aktau State University in Group aims to promote The experts at the VDTC specialize Kazakhstan was demonstra- research work in the field in virtual and augmented reality bly pleased at the agree- of virtual and augmented and its application in corporate practice. Photo: Dirk Mahler Visiting Kazakhstan : ment on imminent coopera- reality and to support the Prof. Peer Witten from the BVL, tion in the field exchange of information Hamburg’s S ena tor of Economics of logistics in which the among researchers working Axel Gedaschko and Prof. Burghard Scheel, Member of the German-Kazakh university in the field. This includes Fraunhofer IFF Advisory Board . would also like to take part. holding workshops at
IFFOCUS 1/2008 11 Interview
“Saxony-Anhalt is the New Gateway to the East.”
Dr. Karl-Heinz Daehre, Saxony-Anhalt Minister of State Development and Transportation. Photo: MLV
Saxony-Anhalt intends to develop opments in the wake if the EU's east- state's rail network and waterways into one of Europe's leading cen- ward expansion. We must take advan- and inland ports. For instance, the ters of logistics in the coming years. tage of the resulting opportunities. lock canal planned near Tornitz, for To this end, the state government which the regional planning proce- has presented a new concept to Located in German seaports’ hinter- dure began a few weeks ago, will systematically develop the state's land, outstanding conditions for the significantly improve the site condi- infrastructure. Among other things, uninterrupted further transport of tions for companies in the Saale it is intended to respond to the freight and goods exist here. Opti- region and the catchment area of rapidly growing commercial ties mally developed logistics nodes with Halle Port. In an analysis, the Federal with Eastern Europe and Saxony- direct rail, waterway and road connec- Ministry of Transportation reached the Anhalt's increasing importance as a tions guarantee a smooth transfer conclusion that the nearly year round center of manufacturing and logis - between the different modes of trans- navigability of the Saale will make it tics. IFFOCUS editor Anna-Kristina port. The development of well func- possible to shift at least 1.5 million Wassilew discussed this with tioning transport chains is the crucial tons of goods in transit to inland Saxony-Anhalt Minister of State prerequisite to efficiently networking vessels. Such a development will Development and Transportation the different transportation chains. relieve the roads of heavy-load traffic Karl-Heinz Daehre. and effectively contribute to the
Everyone is talking about "energy reduction of CO2 emissions at the On what does the state’s logistics efficiency" today. This means same time. concept concentrate? optimally utilizing every resource, namely raw materials and existing However, supporting the international Saxony-Anhalt is the new "Gateway infrastructures, pushing climate- logistics hub around Halle-Leipzig to the East". Its central geographic friendly aspects to the fore and Airport and Magdeburg's waterway location and already well developed smartly linking individual transpor- intersection and continuing planned infrastructure make it the ideal hub tation routes with one another. road construction projects will also for international trade. The state has What measures are planned to do have high priority. Thus, A14 will be evolved into the most important this? extended to the north, the new hinterland hub for maritime transport B190n will be built as a highway in Central Germany. The concept's main emphasis is on connecting A14 and A39 and the Saxony-Anhalt can profit tremendous- environmentally compatible modes of "Nord Harz Autobahn" B6n will be ly from the positive economic devel- transport and thus improvement of completed and extended toward Poland in the future.
12 IFFOCUS 1/2008 I see one emphasis of future develop- project is intended to bundle applied region. That holds tremendous bene- ment in enhancing the rail connec- research in transportation and imple- fits both for companies and the tion. Substantial investment in the ment the initiative "Galileo Transport domestic job market. Hence, the state condition of the networks is essential in Saxony-Anhalt" in the process. views appropriately supporting the in order to be able to deal with the education and training of qualified traffic of the future. Only so can the In addition, the state government is labor in these industries as one of its conditions be established to take supporting the creation of the appli- most urgent objectives. more transports off of roads. cation and industry-specific platform MIDAS for logistics. The goal is to Saxony-Anhalt has remarkable initiate and provide new technological Brief CV expertise in academics and logistics solutions to improve inter - research. How do you assess the modality and "low traffic" logistics. Dr. Karl-Heinz Daehre is born in opportunities afforded here? Langenweddingen (Börde) on June 11, How does the state’s logistics con- 1944. Saxony-Anhalt has proven technologi- cept incorporate regional business? cal expertise in logistics. Novel solu- 1964-1969 tions to support closed supply chains The state's logistics concept is con- Attends Magdeburg Technical College with satellite navigation, wireless com- nected with hopes for effects of sus- and earns a Diplom degree in munication or telematics are being tainable growth for the entire industry chemistry developed here and are in demand in the state and a corresponding worldwide. For instance, as part of increase of employment. Supporting 1983 the state initiative "Galileo Transport infrastructures for the processing and Earns his doctorate in Saxony-Anhalt", the Fraunhofer IFF refining industries is likewise part of and the Institute of Automation and the concept. This is intended to estab- 1969-1991 Communication (ifak) are working to lish the prerequisite not only to effi- Works at the Institute of Varnishes design a test field for localization, ciently transport goods and raw mate- and Paints as lab manager until 1990 navigation and communication in rials to and from Eastern Europe but and as head of the institute until transportation and logistics. The also to process them further in the 1990/91
1990 Joins the CDU and, since then, has been a member of Saxony-Anhalt State Parliament and Bördekreis District Assembly
1990-1994 and 1999 to present President of the Bördekreis District Assembly
1991-1994 Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Regional Development, Urban Development and Housing
1993-1998 Saxony-Anhalt State Chairman of the CDU
2002-2006 Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Construction and Transportation The network of roads and rails in Saxony-Anhalt is one of the densest and most effective in Germany. A successful example of the expansion of the transportation infrastructure is the inter- 2006 to present state highway A 14, which directly connects the state's two largest cities Magdeburg and Halle with one another at Halle-Leipzig Airport. The northern extension of A 14 from Magdeburg over Saxony-Anhalt Minister of State Wittenberge to Schwerin is one of the most important new road construction projects in Saxony- Development and Transportation Anhalt. Photo: Dieter Haugk/PIXELIO
IFFOCUS 1/2008 13 Photo: LMG (004_032003)
From the Center of Germany to the Center of Europe Saxony-Anhalt, Advanced Distribution Logistics Hub
Saxony-Anhalt has evolved into one of the system has been established here in recent most important centers of logistics in Ger- years. In the next six years, the European many in recent years. More and more logistics Union will be supporting the expansion of bu- companies and freight carriers are locating in si ness-related infrastructure with another 258 the state or expanding their facilities. million euros. Other pluses are the highly mo- tivated skilled labor, the longer and more fle- Several factors in particular make the state xible work hours and mor moderate wages an up-and-coming inter-European center of than in the western states and the first rate logis tics. On the one hand, it is located geo- support programs. Logistics companies can graphically between the economically strong count on investment subsidies from the EU, countries to the west and the emerging eco- the federal government and the state until nomic regions of Central and Eastern Europe. 2013. On the other hand, an excellent infrastructure
14 IFFOCUS 1/2008 An Important Hub for the German industrial port, a terminal for contain- Europe, the official auto parts supplier and International Transport of ers and swap bodies and full portal to Hyundai and Kia, have located Goods luffing and slewing cranes for bulk here. Leading discounters such as LIDL Saxony-Anhalt is increasingly gaining cargo handling are ready and waiting and grocery chains such as EDEKA importance as a worldwide hub for in the different areas of the port, Hannover-Minden GmbH with its transportation and logistics. The state- de pending on the type of cargo, i.e. distribution center in Osterweddingen of-the-art intercontinental Leipzig/ bulk, liquid, container or heavy load. near Magdeburg have been drawn to Halle Airport on the state's southern Saxony-Anhalt’s highly competitive border is evolving into the logistics Logistics: An Industry of the Future advantages as a location. The success region's main artery. Operating in Saxony-Anhalt foreign companies have when they twenty-four hours a day, it has Logistics is one of the key industries operate from Saxony-Anhalt is also trimodal transportation connections in our state. Outstanding transporta- demonstrated by the Zur Rose Mail (air-rail-road) and a system of parallel tion infrastructure, optimal transport Order Pharmacy (Zur Rose Gruppe), takeoff and landing runways. The chains, the linkage of every mode of which cares for and supplies pharma- volume of freight is experiencing transportation and the development ceuticals from Halle to over 500,000 above average growth year for year of new intelligent logistics systems go customers nationwide, or the Dutch and reached 101,258 tons (and over hand in hand in the "state that gets Wolter Koops Int. Transporte GmbH, 2.7 million passengers) in 2007. The up earlier". Government and the which ships from Osterweddingen opening of DHL's European Airfreight research community are jointly creat- throughout Europe and provides the Hub in the fall will make Leipzig/Halle ing innovative solutions for the inter- attendant logistics of consolidated a global player in logistics, moving national movement of goods. Over shipments, cross-docking and ware- 2,000 tons of freight a day. 160,000 people already work in the housing as well as delivery. shipping and logistics sector in Central Its pendant in the heart of our state Germany (Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia The Hub in Theory and Practice with around 2.44 million residents is and Saxony). According to experts, Otto von Guericke University Magde- the new Hansa Terminal and Hansa another 100,000 will be added by burg offers the only degree in Indus- Port on the Elbe in Magdeburg. 2015 trial Engineering/Logistics in Germany. Central Germany's inland port is an In addition, Martin Luther University in extension of the ports in Hamburg Many important logistics providers are Halle/Wittenberg and the Magdeburg, (via the Elbe) Bremen/Bremerhaven taking advantage of the benefits of Merseburg, Harz and Anhalt Universi- (via the Mittellandkanal and the Saxony-Anhalt's location. Among ties of Applied Science offer research Weser) or Duisburg and Rotterdam others, such well known German and degree programs in the field of (via the Mittellandkanal and the companies as Hermes Warehousing logistics. Rhine). Three modern liquid cargo Solutions GmbH (Otto Group), Dirk systems, canals with gantries in the Rossmann GmbH and Mobis Parts The Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg is an outstanding example of the high level of research compe- tence in our state. It develops cutting edge solutions for secure chains of goods, pedestrian flows, material flows or life cycle management in its LogMotionLab, a test and develop- ment lab. Well known companies such as VEM, Airbus, Siemens and DHL take advantage of the expertise at the LogMotionLab to test the latest radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and have customized solutions developed for industrial use.
www.investieren-in-sachsen-anhalt.de
The logistics service provider DHL officially opened its European airfreight hub at Halle/Leipzig Airport on May of 2008. Photo: Deutsche Post AG
IFFOCUS 1/2008 15 The Latest from the LogMotionLab
Gloves that Communicate, Boxes that Count and Containers that Work Anywhere
Helmut Röben
Continuous monitoring of shipments is a magic phrase in the logistics industry. For a long time though, there were huge gaps in the tracking of goods. In fact, one never knew what actually happened during a shipment. Since trust is good but control is better, the Fraunhofer IFF's latest developments are now available to logistics providers. They combine innovative indoor localization technology with enhanced outdoor solutions, integrate logistics hardware in equipment and have finally made one thing possible: Continuous monitoring of shipments.
16 IFFOCUS 2/2008 LogMotionLab: A Development Lab A Glove as Reader for Cutting Edge Technology One of the LogMotionLab's latest Major inventions seldom change our developments is the RFID glove, a lives immediately. Rather, the small, novel logistics instrument for highly Photo: Dirk Mahler effective advancements that build flexible use for even the smallest or upon the underlying innovations multipart items in complex warehouse transfer them to real use and appli- and storage processes. Its newly cations. They enter our lives virtually devel oped antenna and transmitter unnoticed and bring the future a bit unit makes it possible to read RFID closer day by day. chips directly on an item quite un - complicatedly, quickly and reliably. One of the facilities that tests and Workers wear the glove while work- further develops high-tech for practi- ing and it automatically scans all cable applications is the Magdeburg relevant information with which items Fraunhofer Institute's LogMotionLab. have been provided. This approach It is a special RFID, auto-ID and tele- not only increases read reliability but matic technology testing and develop- also cuts the need for more infra- ment lab and a leader among such structure (read hardware) as well facilities in Europe. The specialists in as a tremendous amount of time and Magdeburg primarily work on new thus costs. Workers' valuable labor and special applications of such can be better utilized elsewhere. proven principles as radio frequency identification (RFID) and applied UHF Box: A Paradigm Change in communication in distributed Logistics networks. This application of RFID technology is extremely effective for closed supply Simplifying Operations chains, especially when it is combined Essentially, the researchers are with the UHF Smart Box, another of pursuing the question of how new the Fraunhofer IFF's new develop- technologies can be used to further ments. The UHF Box is nothing less simplify operations for employees in than the container of tomorrow. companies. Rather than with a new Along with transporting goods, this tool, their search ends with clever intelligent container can do all sorts new configurations of innovations and of things other containers cannot. proven technologies used daily. They Equipped with the new RFID system primarily focus their attention on two and an independent power supply, it domains. On the one hand, they can be tagged with RFID labels to search for new methods to create scan its contents and determine its and improve closed chains of goods. condition. Transported goods could On the other hand, they research be food, the temperature of which methods to also apply RFID technol- must be continually monitored, or ogy in adverse environments. high value multipart goods, the integ- rity or originality of which must be Thus, the Fraunhofer researchers are monitored continually. Sensors on the particularly focusing on those difficult inside also reliably identify loose mixed domains of logistics that previously goods in the container. The read rate had to be excluded from transport is an unbeatable 100 percent. In addi- monitoring or could only be made tion, every activity and manipulation accessible to it with difficulty. Conse- such as loading or unloading the box quently, their work vigorously accom- is registered. Together with a con - modates the steadily growing world- tainer's exact position, the informa- wide logistics market for sensitive tion compiled can then be retrieved cargo, and opens unimagined pros- throughout the world at any time. pects there. The UHF Box's capability to function
IFFOCUS 1/2008 17 reliably even in metallic environments to continuously monitoring transport - goods. For the middle segment, goods and even with such objects as metal ed assets within a - if necessary even had to be reloaded and packed on cans filled with liquid is unique. multimodal - transport chain. insecure pallets. This represented a preventable break in the transport This innovation is particularly being This Interchangeable Container chain and a significant element of accorded growing importance in many Always Works uncertainty too. domains. Until now, radio transmitters While the UHF Box is still a relatively were unable to function in such diffi- new innovation from the Fraunhofer The interchangeable UHF container cult environments and their integra- IFF, some special applications already concept made it possible to finally tion in these environments is techni- exist, which have proven their versa- also securely transport medium-sized cally extremely demanding. Metal tility in the field. units of goods of up to ten cubic and water are impervious elements. meters and for logistics monitoring to Radio waves are either reflected by One is the interchangeable container, a track them continuously. Their size the metal surfaces or scattered so novel container with UHF technology, allows flexibly transferring them to widely that no usable information which can hold up to ten cubic meters smaller vehicles and consequently would be transmittable. However, of cargo. also makes transport into cities very our researchers have managed to adaptable and thus ultimately environ- overcome this obstacle and thus close Its origin was the logistics experts’ mentally friendly. Given their compact an important gap in the logistical idea to provide a closed container, dimensions, interchangeable contain- tracking of goods in transit. i.e. the best option for shipments, ers can be picked up by delivery vans together with UHF technology for all without any problem. In turn, four Thus, especially in combination with types of shipping. containers fit onto the swap body of a the RFID glove, the UHF Box and its large transport vehicle. When com- functionality constitute a paradigm Previously, only very small or very bined into a unit of eight, they fill a change from monitoring supply chains large solutions, e.g. overseas contain- semi trailer. Thus, larger quantities of at individual, fixed measuring points ers, existed for such shipments of goods for delivery can be shipped
RFID glove with reader and power pack. Photo: Dirk Mahler
18 IFFOCUS 1/2008 such solutions. Pollution and gridlock, other places, in the innovations the caused in part by unnecessary truck Fraunhofer IFF researchers have devel- traffic pose ever greater challenges to oped collaboratively. Clearly, the RFID planners. Models of the "city of the glove, UHF Box and interchangeable future" that already break down large container will not be able to abso- flows of goods on the periphery and lutely solve the problems of the future direct goods to their destination in but they will at least enable us to ever smaller units have already inte- handle the future and tackle such grated the interchangeable container logistical challenges. concept. Without computerized logis- tics control centers with largely auto- matic process control systems, our Contact: cities of the future would no longer Helmut Röben be viable. Megalopolises such as Technical Logistics Systems London are already unable to do with- Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-485 out them. This trend will continue and Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-432 significantly alter our flows of traffic [email protected] and goods. The technologies neces- Logistics expert Prof. Michael Schenk. Photo: Viktoria Kühne sary for this are contained, among both in large and small units. What is more, the constant RFID monitoring allows easily and securely dividing them into smaller units and reassem- bling them into larger ones while in transit.
The institute's director and a logistics expert Prof. Michael Schenk is confi- dent, "This enables logistics providers to effortlessly fulfill the demanding security requirements in international supply chains. Coupling indoor loca- lization technologies with outdoor solutions for advanced satellite navi- gation and integrating them in new interchangeable container concepts makes it possible to really continu- ously track goods directly to the point of delivery at a warehouse."
Concepts for the Future This concept is capable of even more. It is an opportunity to respond to the globally mounting pressure to opti- mize business processes. Cities and metropolitan areas have great need of
Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF is a leader in the field of RFID and telematic solutions. Its LogMotionLab, one of Europe's best equipped logistics labs, tests and certifies RFID applications common in different industries. Photo: Viktoria Kühne
IFFOCUS 1/2008 19 It’s Time to Straighten Up!
Time and Cost Cutting Warehouse Concepts with Telematics
Helmut Röben
Nonautomated warehouse logistics has been a matter of individual employees' personal skill. The introduction of semi-automated management systems will even enable medium-sized enterprises to optimally utilize every pertinent resource and thus optimize costs and processes considerably with little effort. Photo: Deutsche Post AG
20 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Anyone who tidies up is too lazy to There are are many and diverse the basis of AutoID and the localiza- look, Germans like to say. While this reasons why automated warehousing tion of loading equipment in a ware- attitude may be a source of amuse- is seldom implemented in companies house (e.g. loading cranes). It provides ment in private households, it is despite its advantages. The high costs the backbone for a three-dimensional counterproductive in a commercial of implementing automated systems rendering of a warehouse in the enterprise. are frequently a prime reason. management software. Moreover, not every type of item is Most companies in the manufacturing immediately suited for automated New software modules had to be industry work with intensive ware- warehousing. created to adapt it to the particular housing. Normally, a company would challenges of conventional ware- hardly function without its own Adapting Conventional Warehouse houses. This modularity facilitates its warehouse. It houses A, B and C Management integration in a company's existing production items and usually finished Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF has ERP systems, thus augmenting already products too. Although not as much presented a semi-automated solution existing infrastructure. The solution may appear to happen as in other that, above all, responds to the afore- not only entails a significant cost areas of companies, warehouses are mentioned problems. It allows easily advantage but also enables utilizng indeed components of productivity. and cost effectively transferring the data throughout a company despite Stored parts and the particular times advantages of automated warehouses the implementation of new software when they are accessible represent a to other types of warehouses, even and hardware. significant capital and cost factor not those with bulk goods. only for extensive inventory manage- Automatic Localization System ment. Depending on its weighting in In principle, the solution follows The technical components for locali- inventory planning, it significantly established concepts of automatic zation have already proven themselves affects a company's strategic organi- localization systems and functions on many times over. Loading equipment zation and thus all its operations.
Optimizing Processes with Automation Just as in design and manufacturing, selectively pushing the use of technol- ogy increases productivity in ware- houses too. Automated warehouses demonstrate this. Electronic support for inventory management facilitates uncomplicated registration, monitor- ing and documentation of every addi- tion and withdrawal from stocks. At the same time, in-warehouse proc- esses, e.g. redistribution, are recorded meticulously and are traceable for everyone. This significantly encourages high time and thus cost savings. A natural part of automated ware- houses, such functions are virtually unavailable to conventional ware- houses. This shortcoming does not have to be. Nevertheless, this area of companies is frequently neglected when investments are made.
RFID transponders for intelligent warehouse concepts. Photo: Dirk Mahler
IFFOCUS 1/2008 21 can be localized optically, e.g. by laser, or wirelessly, e.g. by active RFID tags. The widest variety of systems can also be employed to identify goods in a warehouse. The use of printed labels with barcode or matrix code or RFID tags is not crucial for the warehouse management software. This decision is solely determined by the type of goods being stored. Important is only that the labels used on the identification points can be read automatically and are thus avail- able to the management software.
Management Software Modularity From the start, the solution developed at the Fraunhofer IFF has been config- ured so that its supports the imple- mentation of different variants of the application. The basis of the entire systems is a basic software that serves to process the data collected from the identification of goods in a warehouse and the requisite localization data. Afterward, the collected information is available in virtually any format. This makes it possible to also couple the system with already existing warehouse management systems.
Storage Management Another module building upon this serves storage management. It can both manage existing storage loca- tions and - by defining geometric boundaries - create new ones. In general, it is designed to implement different warehouse concepts and allows retaining a company's existing warehouse structure without any problem. It is flexible enough to effec- tively visualize and optimize both a fixed location system and chaotic stor- age. However, this module does not perform any control functions. Instead, it accepts workers’ specifica- tions and thus familiarizes them more rapidly with the new system. It pro- vides supporting information though, e.g. if storage locations are inacces- sible or completely filled. Should
High rack storage particularly depends on clever location management. Photo: MEV Verlag
22 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Anzeige
workers ignore the recommendation, Numerous Benefits the actual storage site is recorded in The implementation of semi- Introducing the Gesellschaft für Wirt- the software and supplied when automatic warehouse manage- schaftsservice Magdeburg mbH retrieved later. The same happens ment systems increases trans- during redistribution. The storage site parency in warehouses consid- The GWM Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsservice is always displayed to workers during erably. The clear identification Magdeburg mbH is a service the Capital City retrieval operations. If identical goods and localization of every item of Magdeburg provides to enterprises in the are stored in different locations, the dramatically reduces the work Magdeburg region in the sectors of: choice of whence to retrieve the good required for search and retrieval – Machinery and Plant Manufacturing is open. and simultaneously boosts the – Healthcare capability to plan warehouse – Waste management/Environmental Active Warehouse Control turnover. The new data can be Engineering The system's true strength becomes used to produce near real-time – Rental and Commercial Properties clear when used as an active control indicators and monitor work ele ment in a warehouse. If this soft- operations in a warehouse. We communicate information between ware module is implemented, it auto- Medium-sized enterprises with business, government and enterprises, matically controls all storage, retrieval larger and heterogeneous inven- establish contacts to institutions and and redistribution process to utilize tories especially ought to profit organizations, bring together compatible the warehouse optimally. Unlike the from this solution in the future. partners, support organizational projects and cooperation. By connecting and utilizing local function described above, the ware- Its flexibility, ease of implemen- and regional know-how and business house management system specifies tation and substantial improve- networks we are doing what’s possible to storage locations to the workers. If its ment of transparency make it safeguard and boost the competitiveness of instructions are not followed, it regis- the optimal solution for such companies in the aforementioned industry ters the actual storage sites as before companies. The warehouse clusters in the region. and incorporates them in its system. concept to be implemented can be determined from case to Direct dialog is an integral part of our work, Warehouse Concept Simulation case. The system's high adapta- which is primarily oriented toward benefitting and Evaluation bility allows fully customizing it companies. A software module for downstream as a function of the boundary evaluation and verification of the conditions. The staff of the GWM would be happy to help you identify deficits you can controld, warehouse concepts employed is search for potential solutions and initiate particularly useful. It includes a special their implementation together with the right process and planning option used to Contact: partners. analyze existing operations and check Helmut Röben The services the GWM provides companies their performance. This provides com- Technical Logistics Systemy are information and time. Impartiality and panies a valuable basis to decide on Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-485 discretion are basic principles of our nonpro- new warehouse concepts as well as to Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-432 fit work. train and optimally schedule staff. [email protected] The “Berliner Chaussee” commercial center we manage provides 10,000 m2 of manufac- Visualization Tool turing, warehouse and office space for rental Should a company decide against at reasonable terms. Manufacturing areas can automatic warehouse control, the be divided flexibly into units ranging between 200 and 1,200 m2. system provides another extremely Attractively renovated 19th century brick useful added function with its special architecture combined with modern facilities visualization tool. The data entered – this could also be your profitable location. serves as the basis to represent both Simply contact us! the warehouse and the loading equip- ment two and three-dimensionally. GWM Together with a software generated Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsservice map, e.g. for crane operators, it Magdeburg mbH constitutes an excellent planning aid for worker-controlled warehouse Ölweide 12 management. 39114 Magdeburg Tel.: 0391 – 53294 17 Fax: 0391 – 53294 30 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.gwm-magdeburg.de er/PIXELIO l-Georg Meist Photo: © Pau
Off and Away
Intelligent Small Containers Keep Roads Open
Prof. Michael Schenk
My city should only have the best, of course. Fresh air, open roads and no more traffic during my daily drive to work. Above all, no more monstrous, stinking trucks that already bring traffic to a stand- still in the morning by loading and unloading on their delivery runs.
24 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Everyone has different ideas of what's best for the city. In the research proj- ect Best4City, the logistics specialists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg are giving thought to what best for the city means in their field of expertise. The researchers are studying the volume of small and medium-sized shipments of goods in Saxony-Anhalt's capital. Their interest is concentrated on the potentials of and boundary conditions for the use of intelligent transport and storage containers to reduce urban traffic.
Especially in densely built neighbor- hoods such as the "old city" or down- town, carriers and retailers often face the problem of an absence of loading zones for their trucks. Trucks stop A firm grip on the handling of goods. An integrated antenna quickly and reliably reads the transponder affixed to goods. Data is transmitted to a central order picking system in real time. right on the street, usually in the lane Photo: Dirk Mahler right next to parked cars and obstruct traffic even more. As everyone knows, that costs time and nerves.
Therefore, Fraunhofer researchers have developed a clever system that, on the one hand, solves the problem of urban commercial traffic and, on the other hand, provides retailers completely new options for inventory management. Logistics companies and couriers make their deliveries to their customers in interchangeable trailers on light trucks. Monitored by wireless RFID transponders, these "intelligent small containers" can be parked locked in parking lots or underground garages in direct proximity to the store being delivered to. Thus, annoy- ing traffic jams caused by wildly park- ing trucks are no longer a problem. Retailers enjoy the advantage of being Countless types of RFID transponders are commercially available. The experts at the Fraunhofer IFF able to use the interchangeable trail- are extremely familiar with them and develop customized solutions for products and processes. ers as intermediate storage and to Photo: Dirk Mahler unload them at exactly the right moment. This RFID system solution on This is precisely the point where the Contact: the containers for asset monitoring circle closes, where researchers speak Prof. Michael Schenk lets carriers know where small con- of rectifying processes and it becomes Director tainers are located all the time, when noticeable that driving through the Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-470 they have been completely unloaded city only takes half the time because Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-93 470 and when they can be picked up. the roads are open. Double parked [email protected] trucks will no longer get anyone riled up first thing in the morning.
IFFOCUS 1/2008 25 Continuous Monitoring of Transports of Valuables
A New RFID Transponder Solution from the Fraunhofer at Wincor Nixdorf
Dr. Klaus Richter
Until now, it was invariably difficult or even impossible to electronically monitor the contents of transports of valuables. The metallic superstructures in ATMs prevented the use of appropriate equipment to transmit information externally. The novel RFID transponder developed at Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF now enables companies to finally resolve this problem. It even functions in metallic environments and allows continuously and exactly checking both the contents and location of a container of valuables at any time.
26 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Process providers in the banking and still constitutes a potential source of cash services sector deal in a special error for the precise staging of trans- good – trust. Maximum value is there- ports of valuables and cash. There- fore attached to comprehensive secu- fore, the intention is to largely elimi- rity and documentation of every nate such eventualities as miscounting operation executed. Wincor Nixdorf is or incorrect sorting of sums of money one of the industry's leading players. in the future. The high-tech company not only de- livers state-of-the-art IT systems but RFID Transponder Solution for also designs complete solutions for Work in Metallic Environments every process in banks and commer- Resolving this problem is a logistical cial enterprises with branch opera - and technical challenge. Yet, in this tions. This also entails providing context, one innovation from the ATMs, ATM recycling and complete Fraunhofer IFF specifically aroused the POS systems as well as the attendant security experts' particular interest: service. Rugged, all-environment RFID antenna and reader structures. Radio The banking sector, an integral part frequency identification or RFID is a of which also involves the transport of well established system that uses elec- valuables, is a world rarely accessible tromagnetic waves to automatically to outsiders. The security barriers in- read and capture data. A sender and stalled by the industry are too sub- a special reader ensure information is stantial. This made the company's transmitted. One of its fields of appli- decision to contract Magdeburg's cation is the contactless identification Fraunhofer Institute to upgrade the and localization of objects and living security of containers for the transport beings. However, until now, the use of valuables all the more remarkable. of RFID transponders has been limited
Photo: N. Schmitz/PIXELIO to uncomplicated environments. Risks Transporting Money Direct proximity to metal, for instance, They were motivated by the desire to disrupts the electromagnetic waves’ implement even more intricate moni- transmission, making its use in such toring of cash cassettes in the future, environments and thus for the trans- specifically in the business sector of port of valuables impossible. the transport of valuables. Concretely, their contents ought to be directly Nonetheless, in cooperation with and continuously monitorable, thus various companies, the Fraunhofer IFF eliminating any doubt about the fun - successfully developed a novel RFID damental security of their transport. transponder solution that, among However, sensitive points, which pri - other things, is also suited for use in marily by employees’ manual interven- difficult metallic environments. The tion during the receipt and transfer of clever modification of a special reader amounts of cash can still be discerned and antennas make this possible. in the chain of transport. They allow the reliable transmission of information to a transponder on a Individuals are involved in two stations cash cassette in an ATM. Thus, a solu- of cash transport in particular. First, tion to automatically and logistically when the cash cassette in an ATM is monitor transports of cash cassettes exchanged. Then, at the cash point, a exists for the first time. This makes it point of transfer in a logistics com- highly interesting for high level trans- pany, when the cash in the cassettes port business. is handled. The workers there receive, check and redistribute the sums of money before they are finally taken to their destination. Here, an individual
IFFOCUS 1/2008 27 The experts integrated electronic RFID units directly in an ATM. Photo: Dirk Mahler
Complete Documentation Its capability to continue functioning even in closed metal containers such as ATMs makes it ideally suited for the continuous documentation of trans- ports of valuables. Once integrated in such a container, both a cash cas- sette's position and contents can be captured precisely all the time. Con stant access to information pertai- ning to a cassette’s level of fullness increases the number of potential control points infinitely. In the future, this new RFID transponder technology will enable Wincor Nixdorf to capture and check the exact content of all the cash cassettes it transports and track their redistribution in detail anywhere and anytime.
Everyone relies on security, particularly at an ATM. Photo: Dirk Mahler
28 IFFOCUS 1/2008 New Possibilities for the Entire Industry Not only Wincor Nixdorf will profit from this solu- tion though. The entire industry in general is expected to pay increased attention to the new RFID transponders from Magdeburg's Fraunhofer Institute. It will increasingly affect retailers that adopt the new cash function. Anyone working with automatic POS systems, ATMs and other vending machines with bank functions has likely just been waiting for such a solution.
Thus, the interest is likely to be great and the industry's particular trust in the researchers from the Fraunhofer IFF absolutely justified. Yet, despite the value of the goods transported in the high level sector, convincing com panies to invest to integrate these new security mecha- nisms in their processes hardly requires any effort because the procurement costs are disproportio- nately low. Moreover, the new transponder system is universally applicable and can be incor- porated in any type of container without any problem.
Expansion to ATMs The Fraunhofer IFF is already working on future solutions for suitably retrofitted or newly desi- gned ATMs. The work on new ATM designs is straightforward. Mainly, simple and easy integra- tion of the transponder system in the equipment has to be clarified.
Retrofitting will likely be more difficult. Under - standably, older ATMs are not laid out for new systems. Engineers will have to consider where to modify the equipment's commu nication super- structure to make it possible to implement the new RFID transponders. While this challenge will certainly require the industry to continue to fully place its trust in the researchers from the Fraunhofer IFF, it will make their work far more secure and easier in the future.
Contact: Dr. Klaus Richter Material Handling Engineering and Systems Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-420 Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-432 [email protected] With Pinpoint Accuracy
How Performance Optimization in Professional Sports Is Helping Improve Process Flows in Companies Photo: Dirk Mahler
Dr. Klaus Richter and Günter Stelzhammer
Until now, highly precise satellite navigation has been reserved for outdoor applications. Using new radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, researchers at Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF are taking advantage of real time localization systems for indoor performance diagnostics in professional sports and developing brand new approaches to monitoring logistics in companies in the process.
30 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Performance Diagnostics in future uses. The researchers are pri- Handball Professional Sports marily concentrating on methods of In handball, the capture of individual International professional sports wireless localization or their combina- players’ positions during a game could would be inconceivable without tion with other technologies such as be used to provide the coach running advanced performance diagnostics. inertial systems to further improve the paths, lineup formations, heat maps, More precise motion analyses and result of localization. Some novel sys- speed distribution diagrams and other training methods promise better per- tems, nearly ready for mar ket launch, important information. Such real-time formance and, in turn, better results already stand out because of their analysis would enables himto imme- in athletic competition. Therefore, remarkable features. They have very diately analyze both team perfor- technologies employed for this have high accuracy (< 2 centimeters), high mance and individual motion profiles steadily advanced in the last decades. scanning rates (1000 hertz) and highly tactically and strategically and turn Systems that provide athletes and miniaturized mobile transponders this information into new instructions coaches immediate or rapid informa- (1 cubic centi meter) and are particu- still during training. tion on detailed movements or com - larly resistant to reflection and absorp- plex motions are especially valuable. tion (ultra-wideband, ultrasonic). Rhythmic Gymnastics perfect synchronization and symmet - Computerized analyses of competition This is a stroke of luck for the training rical forms of routines are crucial supported by advanced information of top professional and junior athletes performance determining factors in technologies ushered in a new phase because this new technology will also this discipline. Twenty-seven of the of development in the early 1980s. support the development of new junior national team's optional excer- Computerized video analysis shifted methods of analysis that can be cises could be evaluated easily and the focus of attention to so-called applied to their disciplines. rapidly with the aid of RF@Sports. expert systems. Video material is still The gymnasts' symmetry and timing utilized for later analysis, e.g. to coach RF@Sports can now be better synchronized still the German national handball team. The Fraunhofer Institute in Magde- during training. Ultimately, individual This requires an extremely great deal burg is intensively collaborating with need for practice can be identified of time though. Analysts still need Otto von Guericke University's Depart- more precisely with long time analyses over twenty-four hours to analyze a ment of Athletic Sciences and Siemens and individual training adjusted accor- handball game in-depth, a timeframe AG to research and implement such d ingly. that fails to meet athletes' demand an application. The project RF@Sports for immediate information to correct was launched for this purpose. Skiing their movements. Among others, athletes from the Performance analyses of material and German national handball team and athletes in alpine skiing necessitate New Prospects the German junior national rhythmic extremely precise motion analyses of A leap in innovation promises devel- gymnastics team have made them- equipment. Initial tests have demon- opments from another corner, namely selves available as "research subjects". strated that this precision is obtained from real time localization systems. with RF@Sports. Along with different Given the innovations, particularly in New Methods of Analysis for Team path, time and speed studies, the the field of RFID technology, highly and Individual Sports program can detect and evaluate effective applications for indoor locali - The tests were based on the use of skiers' distances to a slalom gate, their zation can be expected soon. Indoor specially developed, real time analysis drifting or their skiing posture. In the application will break through a bar- systems. The subjects' motion sequen- future, this method will make it pos- rier for the first time, which conven- ces on a particular terrain can be sible to analyze and optimize a skier’s tional localization systems could not visualized on a monitor, incorporating material and technique very precisely. overcome. This is precisely where sen - the particular time requirements. This sitive domains, e.g. logistics chains, makes it possible to perform real time Without question, this system is a could profit from tracking. analyses of both individual athletes' great advance over conventional complex motion patterns and entire methods of analysis in professional The European satellite navigation team's interactions with maximum sports. In combination with the system Galileo will play an important accuracy. Ultimately, motion sequen- RF@Sports detection and analysis role. The implementation of these ces expected from players can even be program, not only the progression of ambitious indoor localization research projected. games can be captured in real time projects will only be possible in for entire athletic teams but new conjunction with Galileo's potential
IFFOCUS 1/2008 31 individual requirements profiles can The transfer of the findings from the also be formulated and updated athletic scientists' methodological quickly. analysis to the world of logistics should not be underestimated. This A New Language for Logistics approach has greatly contributed to How, though, does the introduction better understanding and controlling of this innovative motion and interac- internal operations in companies. tion analysis in sports aid the future optimization of process flows in com- Hence, the researchers involved agree mercial enterprises ? that the interdisciplinary collaboration bore effective fruit in every respect. Primarily, this research work sustain- Magdeburg's logistics experts readily ably increased the technical perfor- admit they benefitted in particular. mance of indoor localization systems. Their work contributed much to the Naturally, the improved quality also enrichment of their own linguistic has a positive effect when it is trans- world and their capability to imagine ferred to other commercial logistics interactive processes with different sectors where it opens new horizons. participants. Earlier, they would hardly A whole series of further fields of have thought of including the figure application are already foreseeable in of an opponent in their technical con- the transportation and logistics sector. siderations. However, their coopera-
tion with the athletic scientists dem- onstrated that also allowing such concepts as are employed to plan team sport strategy to enter into their own work can be a thoroughly good idea. Transferring this to operations in companies means inserting another level of actors into the scientific analysis, thus emphasizing the dynamically interactive character of logistics processes even more than before.
Continuous Tracking of Supply Chains All the Way Indoors The new methodological approaches and technological innovations in the field of indoor localization inspire hope. Ultimately, they allow signifi- cantly expanding the mechanisms of logistical monitoring and control. This advance, e.g. far more precise signal localization, even enables precisely tracking and automatically controlling very complex motion
Field testing the system in the snow hall in Bottrop. Photo: Dirk Mahler
32 IFFOCUS 1/2008 The exact position of the antennas is crucial for the accuracy of the measurements. Photos: Dirk Mahler patterns even inside buildings. Contact: Thus, even certain workflows in Dr. Klaus Richter routine daily business can be moni- Material Handling Engineering and tored without any problem. Imagine Systems simultaneously monitoring the Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-420 movements of a forklift, the pallet of Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-432 goods being transported and staff as [email protected] it unloads the pallet from a truck. In the future, it will be possible to auto- matically determine all these proces- Günter Stelzhammer is Head of ses, e.g. a delivery of goods to the Sales, a Product Manager and a extensive premises of a plant, their Line of Business Manager LPM at unloading and further transport or ABATEC Electronic AG in Regau in storage in a warehouse, and to draw Austria. conclusions about the proper handling of these goods.
This innovation has tremendous sig- nificance for companies and workers. On the one hand, it will distinctly increase on-the-job safety. On the other hand, actually continuously tracking supply chains from a manu- facturer's workbench to the end buyer's sales rack will finally become reality. Photo: Amt für Brand- und Katastrophenschutz Salzlandkreis
Mobile Bits and Bytes
Lifesavers of the Future
Dr. Ina Ehrhardt and Tobias Kutzler
Pinpoint localization of severely injured individuals in unclear terrain or uncomplicated coordination of technical relief teams from all over Germany during an emergency – state-of-the-art communication concepts from the Fraunhofer IFF in Magdeburg could soon sustainably improve rescue operations and emergency management in Germany.
34 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Far from any road, somewhere in Emergency Response Agencies Have replace the American GPS system Saxony-Anhalt's Hochharz National Great Need to Catch Up primarily controlled by the military and Park, forest workers place an emer- While satellite localization systems exclusively support civilian uses. gency call with a cell phone. They have already largely established a Galileo will not only make options for just watched a sliding tree hit one of foothold in the private sector, e.g. the far more precise localization available. their colleagues. His injuries are logistics industry, rescue services and It will also provide users significantly serious. A sender they carry with emergency management still need to more services than GPS such as the them enables a control center to catch up considerably. For the most search and rescue (SAR) system that localize their position by satellite and part, life saving information is still combines the transmission of distress dispatch the unit closest to the site of exchanged with outdated technolo- signals with simultaneous transmission the accident. A helicopter is unable gies and improvised solutions. Short- of coordinates. Thus, users shall no to land in the middle of the densely ages of funds, differing technology longer only be localized passively but wooded region. The ambulances standards and problems with software will be able to actively transmit dis- from the hospitals and the fire compatibility often impede the use of tress signals that the satellites receive department in Wernigerode are all in highly effective state-of-the-art infor- and automatically allocate and relay to action elsewhere. What is more, the mation and communication technolo- the appropriate control center. monitor in the control center indi - gies. In addition, organizational and cates they are too far away. So, an structural changes being implemented The prerequisite is the utilization of ambulance from Braunlage in Lower in Germany, e.g. local government new components specially developed Saxony is dispatched. The paramedics reforms, are generating even more for Galileo in the respective transmit- on board receive exact coordinates complex requirements for communi- ting and receiving equipment. for their destination on the compu- cation. The reorganization of districts However, it and the system are not ter, which immediately displays the and the fusion of control centers yet available. It will take a little longer shortest and best route to take. After entail new challenges to the planning until they are ubiquitous, i.e. in cell one kilometer off the rural highway, and control of operations. phones, PDA, laptops and any other turn right onto the next forest road equipment designed for them. says the system. It unwaveringly leads Insufficient knowledge of a place the emergency vehicle past impassi- hampers the work of rescue and New Communication Concepts ble paths through the labyrinth of emergency response teams deployed However, Fraunhofer IFF researchers forest roads. Continual position nationwide and can result in substan- do not intend to wait. Together with monitoring and data synchronization tial damage, e.g. when a fire is not government agencies and rescue and clearly shows the driver the team's fought or the coordination of support emergency management organizati- position and that of the injured indi- teams during flooding is misdirected. ons, they are working on solutions for vidual on an electronic map. Almost It is virtually impossible to put a figure localization and route guidance, there, just 300 meters is signaled. on the economic losses, let alone the which already function. Without this assistance the paramed- losses of human life such communi- ics might have needed hours to find cation gaps may cause. The core of their concept is to outfit their orientation. Instead, they reach all relevant forces with technical op- the site in just two more minutes and Galileo, the Satellite Navigation tions to automatically transmit stan- begin to administer first aid to the System of the Future dardized information without format severely injured individual. All in all, This could soon change if the re- changes. This necessitates identifying they have needed less than a quarter searchers at Magdeburg's Fraunhofer new ways to reconcile the heteroge- of an hour for the complicated off- Institute for Factory Operation and neous technical standards and equip- road drive over unpaved roads and Automation have their way. As part of ment among available among all through unknown forest. Without the major European project Galileo, these entities. The goal is to create a satellite guidance, they might have they are developing advance commu- common basis of communication to arrived too late. nications concepts for localization and maximize the integrated transmission Granted, this scenario is idealized. route guidance in rescue operations of information. Yet, modern route guidance systems and emergency management. could help save people's lives much in this way in the future. However, Europe's independent satellite naviga- while the aspects of this fictitious tion system Galileo is scheduled to go case appear downright logical and on line in 2012. Its thirty satellites will virtually self evident, reality continues to be quite different.
IFFOCUS 1/2008 35 Advanced Localization Systems To do this, Magdeburg's Fraunhofer Institute is developing special telema- tic systems comprised of mobile and stationary components. In operation, they continuously determine position and, using GPRS for instance, send all the data captured to rescue centers and emergency management teams. Status information or other data rele- vant to operations can be linked with localization information by interfacing external signal sources. The telematic system's stationary components in a command center collect the transmit- ted data and visualize it in maps. This provides a control center an excellent overview of an overall situation and can be instrumental in better asses- sing complex emergency and response situations.
The prerequisite is mandatorily equip- ping all rescue teams with advanced GPS devices, which, with a deviation of a few meters in open terrain, deter- mine position sufficiently precisely for the purpose of operations. Localiza- tion information is the foundation for subsequent route guidance that con- trol centers can use to guide rescue units to their destinations. Another innovation from the Fraunhofer IFF Anyone who has to direct response teams quickly and precisely during accidents and emergencies or operates off-road needs navigation aids far superior to the common standard. utilizes off-road navigation systems to Photo: Amt für Brand- und Katastrophenschutz, Salzlandkreis. facilitate route guidance on virtually any type of mobile digital receiver. At present, the Fraunhofer IFF is work- The system already enables pinpoint Simple Solutions for Complex Route ing on complex structural solutions route guidance wherever conventional Guidance that will transmit operational informa- navigation systems cease to work, With their development of simple tion individually to response teams namely in open terrain off ordinary software interfaces, Magdeburg's with different mobile terminals. roads. logistics experts have found a practi - Depending on their devices, recipients cable and low cost solution to a very shall either receive simple text messa- In the field, the devices automatically broad problem. The software can be ges or more complex and even carto- switch to off-road maps whenever loaded onto the widest variety of graphic information when necessary. paved roads are left and continue established digital receivers such as At any rate, every relevant responder navigating. To maintain the quality the newest generation of cell phones, shall receive necessary and current and accuracy of the maps, it is impor- handheld, etc. as an independent tool information with position data on a tant to continuously update them. or add-on to conventional navigation concrete emergency. This enables the solutions. In principle, this makes all systems in a control center to directly Hence, the Fraunhofer IFF recom- important information accessible to all transmit operational destinations and mends additionally allowing teams to responders regardless of their techni- provide continuous route guidance be able to manage map content on cal equipment. while incorporating the type and site. Their knowledge of and imme- conditions of roads and terrain. diate experience with conditions and accessibility of roads and networks of roads will be one of the main sup-
36 IFFOCUS 1/2008 priate user fee. Thus, financially strapped communities kill two birds with one stone and also redeem the costs of the advanced navigation system.
What is more, satellite navigation provides the individual organizations yet another benefit. Improved docu- mentation of movements can also generate cost cutting organization of internal processes with regard to staff and organizational expenditures and thus further optimization of operating expenses.
Opportunities and Challenges Ultimately, this new technology not only holds a great opportunity but also performs a significant function. While the system is able to merge maps and entered data into a single representation, regardless of their regional differences, it is essential to harmonize different map providers' data formats beforehand. Moreover, national standards are needed to specify detail information and up- grades of objects relevant to opera- tions and safety, i.e. water sources or evacuation and staging areas, includ- ing location and access points and Magdeburg's Fraunhofer researchers have developed simple and cost effective solutions that their cartographic representation. facilitate continuous route guidance from, to and in off-road areas. An "off-road" message indicating information on roads in unavailable is unacceptable Only so can information operationally Photo: Viktoria Kühne. relevant for government agencies and organizations responsible for safety ports of the reliability of navigation. instance, make lengthy briefing of and security be beneficially entered The ideal state would ultimately be a new staff on roads and conditions into localization and navigation maximally accurate description of largely superfluous. Response teams systems and utilized area-wide every operational area on and off- from elsewhere will be automatically In the end, such an initiative must road down to the details. Virtually one informed about current conditions at come from the federal and state hundred percent reliable navigation to a site. Implemented area-wide, such governments. a destination will only be possible communication of information will be when all operationally relevant infor- inestimably valuable for the preserva- mation really has been recorded. tion of economic assets and human Contact: life. Dr. Ina Ehrhardt The Navigation System as a Information Logistics Central Knowledge Storage System Long-term Cost Benefits Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-811 Ultimately, this novel route guidance The principle holds another benefit. Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-93 811 technology will perform a tremendous Since fire departments and rescue [email protected] service. It will create an integrated teams that gather the information are knowledge management system that on the payroll of their local govern- collects and archives every single ment, they in turn generate a mone- responder's field knowledge on site tary benefit for their communities. and then provide it in an always up- The valuable data can be provided to dated, standardized form. It will, for outside organizations for an appro-
IFFOCUS 1/2008 37 Always With One's Nose to the Wind
Next Generation Maintenance Concepts Photo: Dr. Frank Ryll
Dr. Frank Ryll
Wind power is a market with a future. Offshore siting of wind energy converters particularly holds enormous economic potentials and could additionally help implement the federal govern-
ment's ambitious environmental policy objectives to reduce CO2 emissions. It has one disadvan- tage though: The servicing and maintenance of wind energy converters on high seas proves to be especially difficult. Therefore, researchers at Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF are developing new innovative concepts for optimized maintenance strategies. Not only will they increase such con- verters' reliability and availability – they could simultaneously initiate an innovation drive from which the entire industry will also profit in the future.
38 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Humans' use of wind power is likely fully exploited. There is another prob- 39 millions tons by 2010 and between as old as their search for energy sour- lem too. There is not much more 73 and 121 million tons in 2030. ces for their unbridled urge to move room. Higher requirements from Ultimately, the development of the forward driven by the modern spirit of regional planning and approval pro - recovery of wind energy offshore exploration and the desire to make cedures and growing resistance would enable utility companies to work easier. Its use in ancient Egyp- among the population to more new make an important contribution to tian sailboats 4000 years ago has wind parks are having an effect. national climate protection. been definitely established. Presum- Thus, the number of potential loca- ably, humans already resorted to tions is close to running out. There- A Plus for the Environment and simple sail construction and thus the fore, the number of new wind energy Fishing use of wind much earlier. Wind power converters on land will decline greatly However, such impressive potentials advanced along with water power to in the future. This will make it difficult are still offset by many disadvantages, become the main source of energy in to meet the federal government's which high sea siting entails. Oppo- High and Late Medieval Europe. obligation from the Kyoto Protocol to nents primarily see a collision of inter-
Windmills were a significant basis of decrease CO2 emissions in Germany ests in use. Shipping, for example, economic life and guarantors of by 2012 by 21 percent over 1990. would be impeded in part. The mili- progress and prosperity. This appears to be a difficult under- tary and fishing industry are also skep- taking without wind power and the tical since future wind parks would be This success story only ended with the construction of additional nuclear located in zones they claim for them- invention of the steam engine, indu- power plants, especially since the selves. In addition, these are in part strialization and ultimately with the energy demand is constantly rising. also regions for the passage of under- use of fossil fuels. Since wind is a water pipelines and telecommunica- resource that has always been availa- A forecast from DEWI reveals that tion cables. ble in virtually inexhaustible quantities, new installations on land will signifi- it is no wonder that wind power is cantly decrease from 2006 onward. In the meantime, fishers at least experiencing a renaissance as oil and Great potentials lie in replacing old would welcome the construction of coal resources are steadily depleted converters with new highly efficient the parks. These wave breaking zones and because their use contribute to wind energy converters at locations of calm water have been determined climate change. After decades of rich in wind. Another way out is to to be optimal spawning and breeding development and steady improve- construct offshore wind parks. sites for the stressed schools of fish in ment, wind energy converters have the North Sea. From the perspective become a factor for energy recovery Giant Energy Potentials in Offshore of environmental policy, such wind that deserves to be taken seriously. Locations energy converters hold more advan- Extending the recovery of energy from tages than disadvantages. Thorough Onshore Wind Power in Crisis wind to the sea holds a number of planning approval procedures have A state-of-the-art wind energy con- advantages. The greatest is the con- proven offshore sites are far more verter can supply up to 6 MW of verters' higher efficiency. At sea, the environmentally compatible than electricity. Economically, operation of wind blows far more frequently, more comparable coastal or onshore sites. this multimegawatt class is absolutely steadily and with more force, enabling worthwhile. The only catch is that turbines there to rotate with up to Cost Disadvantages of Siting wind is not constantly available. 5,000 equivalent full load hours per Offshore Frequently unfavorable wind condi- year. According to a statistic from the On the other hand, the substantially tions on land lower the average utili- DEWI, onshore recovery of energy higher costs of construction and main- zation of a converter to a maximum from wind would total approximately tenance cause far greater problems. of 2,500 to 3,000 equivalent full load 21,000 MW by 2030 and offshore After all, given the special conditions hours per year. Theoretically, 8,760 approximately 26,000 MW. That of Germany's coastal regions, an off- hours are possible though. This fact would be a total output of 47,000 shore location means that the wind does not make wind park operators MW. Taking the energy consumption energy converters are located in the happy. After all, they also have to in 2002 as the point of departure, German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) earn money. The investments for a wind power could generate an aver- and thus 50 to 60 sea miles off the converter, its construction, its connec- age of 130,000 Wh per year. That coast. Enormous quantities of material tion and running operation are high. equals no less than 30 percent of the must be brought by sea to their des- Moreover, such a wind energy con- total German energy demand in 2002. tination, thousands of kilometers of verter's potentials to recover energy This would mean an annual reduction environmentally compatibly are not of CO2 emissions of between 24 and
IFFOCUS 1/2008 39 underwater cable laid and the costs. This makes it all the more gigantic foundation structures essential to prevent unsched- anchored in the ocean floor in uled outages caused by a water depths of 40 to 50 defect. Slight material fatigue meters. Converters easily and defects can already jeopar- measure 150 meters from top dize converter reliability and to bottom. At a total of 1,000 cause major failures. to 1,500 tons, every single wind energy converter weighs as New Maintenance Concepts much as 1,000 cars or three for Wind Energy Converters fully fueled Airbus A380s. 100 Therefore, wind energy conver- converters or more are planned ters are serviced regularly. At for each wind park. Purely sea however, the unpredictable mathematically, that means a weather conditions combined total output of roughly 700 with heavy seas frequently MW and thus the equivalent of make converters difficult to an average block of a coal-fired access and fixed maintenance power plant. intervals impossible. Thus, if a converter fails, it can often take A Challenge for Engineers up to two weeks until techni- The efficiency justifies the addi- cians are able to look after it. tional costs incurred. If the envi- When weather conditions are ronmental advantages that favorable, maintenance work accompany the use of renew- must be completed as quickly able energies are included, as possible to quickly bring a everything speaks for their converter back on line. construction. In actual fact however, engineers have to Extremely interested in using develop the underlying tech- innovative energy recovery nology virtually from scratch. concepts to supply its territory The components need substan- in the future, the State of tially im proved protection Bremen is closely collaborating against aggressive seawater. with the researchers from Mag- Given their dimensions and deburg's Fraunhofer IFF to longer service lives, converters resolve this problem. They must withstand far greater intend to develop new methods loads. That necessitates en - for the maintenance of wind hanced material properties energy converters under off - increased complexity of design. shore conditions. In addition, servicing and main- tenance are ultimately also Development is focused on so- organized a good deal more called on-condition mainten- complicatedly and complexly. ance concepts. They represent Altogether, the specific condi- the next generation of mainte- tions at sea confront engineers nance methods, replacing with entirely new challenges. approaches to maintenance based more on damage still In particular, the downtimes of predominantly in use or con- offshore wind energy convert- cepts with preventive but fixed ers have to be kept as short as maintenance intervals. Wind energy converters on the high seas possible. Above all, their longer present special challenges to servicing and maintenance. Photo: Nordex AG/VDMA service lives averaging 5,000 hours a year make them profit- able despite the tremendous
40 IFFOCUS 1/2008 The foundations for this are advanced Advanced Maintenance System as a The sum of their experiences is prima- intelligent control systems, computer Knowledge Storage System rily what will produce a giant leap in systems and effective methods of Intensively working on the future field the maintenance of wind energy evaluation. They open the way to of innovative knowledge management converters in the future. service and maintenance aimed at in general, the Fraunhofer IFF is thusly constantly maintaining wind energy killing two birds with one stone. Cost Optimization and converters in optimal condition. On the one hand, a highly sensitive, Environmental Protection adaptive evaluation system is being The further development of this The focus is on condition monitoring, established that can rapidly react to empirically based predictive mainte- i.e. constant monitoring of the condi- increases of knowledge. On the other nance will necessitate a transparent tion of all converter components and hand, such specialized knowledge exchange of information between the each of the relevant operating and previously only available to a few can operators of wind energy converters load conditions. New measuring be made accessible to everyone in a and, among others, the responsible systems developed at Magdeburg's standardized form. Thus, the informa- insurers. The latter in particular have a Fraunhofer Institute are being mount- tion system, which will ultimately be great deal of converter data from ed on the converters' sensitive points able to provide recommendations for their business operations, which are of for this purpose. With their aid, tech- servicing and maintenance, will func- great interest to developers and engi- nicians have the most important data tion as a central knowledge storage neers. In the future, this information on the condition of every component system constantly adapting to the exchange would help make it possible and mechanical or environmental load latest knowledge. However, optimally to even sooner identify where exactly variables at their disposal all the time. implementing the data obtained will improvements have to be made, i.e. Thus, with the aid of empirical values, require everyone involved with the whether in the structural domain or critical conditions can be identified wind energy converters, e.g. engi- the maintenance intervals. The knowl- and proper countermeasures initiated neers, maintenance experts and com- edge expected from this will then promptly. mercial controlling, to get together make it possible to formulate flexible and contribute their particular special- maintenance plans adapted to the ized knowledge. accumulated experience.
All these new approaches will concert- edly generate considerable growth of converter reliability. The consequence will be substantial savings of cost for wind energy converter servicing and maintenance, far shorter failure and downtimes through sustainable proc- ess optimization and higher efficiency exploiting wind power. This is a win- ning situation for all parties, which makes the utilization of renewable energy a highly profitable opportunity, not only economically but also envi- ronmentally.
Contact: Dr. Frank Ryll Logistics and Factory Systems LFS Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-413 Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-93 413 [email protected]
Installing the measuring system in airy heights. Photo: Andreas Mähnz
IFFOCUS 1/2008 41 The Changing Automotive Industry “World Class Launch 2020” Reveals Future Trends of Process Optimization
Holger Seidel and Steffen Gänzle
The automotive industry is under pressure worldwide. The many and diverse developments of recent years are making more and more innovation imperative in shorter and shorter time. One thing is certain: More than ever before, efficiency and effectiveness are becoming crucial competitive factors for sustainable business success. MBtech Consulting GmbH, a company in the MBtech Group, and Magdeburg's Fraunhofer IFF jointly released a comparative study that analyzes the tremendous challenges to the industry and identifies options for action.
42 IFFOCUS 1/2008 While European and North American While the considerable effort may be carmakers are fighting for their mar- surprising at first, it is absolutely justi- ket share, Asian competitors seem fied considering the study's distinctive to be setting the tone for innovation mission. Ultimately, the World Class and rapid market adaptation. Hence, Launch Study makes it possible for the creation of production systems, the first time to map the automotive i.e. integrated optimization of devel- industry's currently most important opment, manufacturing and logistics trends for the future and identifies the processes spanning the entire supply success factors and means of effective chain, is an industry mantra. Yet, launch management. They are intend- despite the potential significance of its ed to help lay the cornerstone to for- implementation, in-depth comparative mulate a new global market launch analyses of international carmakers strategy and a value enhancing are hardly to be found. Who has a "product launch excellence" concept. leg up and why and where is there potential for optimization? MBtech Key Questions Consulting GmbH and Magdeburg's In its core, the study delivered Fraunhofer Institute took two years to answers to the following questions: pursue such questions in a major How will development and manufac- international comparative study, turing processes for start-up and World Class Launch 2020, aimed at ramp-up be organized in the future in delivering sound recommendations for the automotive industry? strategies for the automotive industry. What demands on vehicle market launches will end consumers have in The Study the future and how will manufac- Building upon benchmarking inte- turers react to them? grated throughout the product devel- What is the state of implementation opment process in the automotive of optimization efforts in start-up, industry, the study focused on the ramp-up and market launch process? periods from 1992 to 1998 and 1998 What best practices currently exist, to 2005. Above all, changes in OEM toward which future goals for start-up and their suppliers' start-ups and their and launch performance can be effects on product development, value oriented? What organizational forms added chains and structures were of accelerate start-up and ramp-up? particular interest. Asian Carmakers Have an Edge Given the study's global approach to The quest for answers to these questi- analysis, the analysts from MBtech ons quickly made one thing clear: An and the Fraunhofer IFF tackled an international comparison specifically abundance of data. They closely with Asian manufacturers only condi- examined sixteen manufacturers with tionally benefits European and North Photo: Daimler AG 2008 over eighty-five plants and twenty American manufacturers. The main development centers worldwide. In reason is their different customer addition, over seventy suppliers with structures. While Asians are primarily a total of eighty start-ups were also geared toward a homogeneous group intensively analyzed. Among other of customers, their Western competi- things, the study was supported by tors must deal with a far broader eighty interviews with experts from range of customers. Hence, the middle and top management, project former manage to launch a multitude reports, excursions to plants and of model variations on the market in analyses and comparisons of fifty next to no time on just one single product development processes and vehicle platform. Europeans and North 30 PPP master plans. Americans on the other hand are not
IFFOCUS 1/2008 43 only struggling with a largely saturat- primarily be speed, flexibility and On the one hand, new initiatives will ed market but must also make far process and cost optimization in deve- be needed to design future models greater allowances for their discerning lopment and manufacturing. There and shorten the product development customers' more individual demands. are also intentions to further expand process, i.e. there will be an ever Dwindling purchasing power and the profitable premium brand greater diversity of vehicle variants in increasing social segmentation are segment. ever shorter doing their part. On their one hand, Increased the trend is moving toward smaller cheaper cars. On the other hand, demand is rising in the luxury segment. Moreover, they are witnessing how Japanese and Korean
Long before it is built, a vehicle exists as a digital model. This saves time and money. competi- Graphic: Daimler AG 2008 tors are recapturing profits are intend- market shares – and ed to be made pri- manufacturing faster and marily here in the future, intervals, however with less variance cheaper in the process. which are indispensible to the of the model platforms. Thus, end devel opment and manufacturing of customers will be able to look forward Thus, it is no wonder that some are less profitable lower vehicle classes. to continuously differentiated vehicle attempting to draw inspiration from However, these will make up the bulk models but must, in return, accept Asia for their own planning. of the vehicles sold in the future. that few or even only one single plat- form is hidden behind the pretty Yet, directly transferring Asian man- Two Key Strategies: "packaging". "Fast built car" is the agement methods to European condi- Shorter Start-up Times and name of this concept aimed at laun- tions is not very easy for the afore- Integrated Engineering ching an entire model family simulta- mentioned reasons. However, there is The implementation of these goals neously within only three months in firm resolve to face the challenges will ultimately require a multitude of the near future. This more than halves particularly in the successful core new strategies on the part of car- the market launch times of 1996 manufacturing segments. According makers. Altogether, they constitute a while it doubles the number of to the study's conclusion, these will highly complex pattern of innovative models and the number of countries idea and a refinement of effective where a model family is launched. strategies. Two key trends particularly stick out.
44 IFFOCUS 1/2008 The second intended goal pertains to Ten Hypertrends for Vehicle 6. Programs to continuously reduce the future integrated development of Manufacturers costs throughout the entire value the entire development and manufac- The answers to the study's core added chain, turing process. Wide-ranging poten- questions can be formulated as ten tials for savings exist especially in the hypertrends that will confront manu- 7. Early integration of vehicle con- development process where most of facturers by 2020: struction and assembly programs, the costs are also determined. The focus is on more effective meth- Future Action Strategies 8. Comprehensive definition of an ods of development, not least by fully The analysts recommend simple action integrated vehicle launch program, taking advantage of the technological strategies to respond to these trends possibilities. One example is the in a CEO program for managers in the 9. Formulation of adaptive integration increasingly important "digital automotive industry. and start-up programs for new factory".The time and costs savings business models, expected merely from increasingly 1. Clear definition of one’s future utilizing available VR technologies for role on the world market, 10.Acceleration of prototype vehicle development are tremendous. development by developing high- 2. Development of an individual tech methods. Moreover, tying suppliers even closer vision for product start-up and to concerns is intended to insure strategy for manufacturing, The future will reveal the extent to management structures are altogether which carmakers are able to follow leaner and response capabilities are 3. Maximally complete flexibilization these recommendations. Ultimately faster. Goals include improved know- of production facilities, however, the issue of the specific how transfer between companies, 4. Creation of clear factory typologies organization of optimization processes shorter response times to model for future requirements to mix will be crucially important in the indu- modifications, more efficient know- models, stry when it is a matter of sustainably ledge management among staff surviving global competition. members and the creation of inte- 5. Global development of rapid adap- grated, highly flexible manufacturing tability when reorganizing systems to name but a few. production, Contact: Holger Seidel Production Logistics and Factory Globally declining buying Systems Advance of the powerin the automotive Tel. +49 (0) 391/4090-123 digital factory industry Fax +49 (0) 391/4090-93 123 [email protected]
Development of new factory Global cutthroat concepts markets Steffen Gänzle works in Lean Development and Consulting at MBtech-Groups. Acceleration Extensive model of the vehicle offensives and explosion body process Hypertrends of model start-ups in the automotive- industry Adaptability of the manufacturing Multilaunch processes strategies
New vehicle concepts Shortening of the and growing number product development of modules process
Hypertrends in the car industry.
IFFOCUS 1/2008 45 Sharp Minds ... with doctorates
Professor of Precision Sensor Systems Power in the Grid
Automation expert Dr. Klaus Ulrich At twenty-eight, Dr.Przem- Schmucker followed a call to Otto von yslaw Komarnicki has Guericke University Magdeburg. He will already achieved a bit. He now teach courses on robotics as an has earned his doctorate, is honorary professor in the Department of married and is a passionate Mobile Systems. soccer player. The energy the native Pole puts into his Prof. Schmucker is a native of Magdeburg. undertakings is palpable. It After his high school graduation, the tal - is hardly surprising that the ented student decided to study theoretical young researcher devoted mechanics at the renowned Moscow State his doctoral dissertation to Lomonossov University. He learned Russian the subject of power and in the process and speaks it fluently to this wrote about the "Applica- day. Despite the demands of his studies, tion of Highly Precise Syn- he found time in Moscow for his great chronous Measurements to passion, playing the piano, and completed Improve the Operation of a master's course "on the side". He head - Distribution Networks". ed back home to the GDR with a Diplom With his appointment, President Klaus-Erich Pollmann He even finds surprising degree in mathematics and theoretical officially receives Prof. Klaus Ulrich Schmucker parallels between this topic mechanics. Around 1983, he began re - in the circle of professors at the university. and his great passion, Photo: Anna-Kristina Wassilew search work in the field of robotics. This soccer. "An electrical grid is subject and sensor systems in particular like a soccer team. If you aroused the young researcher Schmucker's to his hometown, in the meantime the want to win, everyone has enthusiasm. At the Academy of Sciences' capital of Saxony-Anhalt. Prof. Schmucker to collaborate and play the Institute of Automation in Berlin, he devel - has now been working at the Magdeburg oped a multitude of sensors and applica- research institute for sixteen years and played tion solutions for industrial robots. In 1991, a crucial in making robotics one of the he heard the news that the Fraunhofer- Fraunhofer IFF’s important specializations Gesellschaft planned to found a new insti- from the start. In his present position in the tute in Magdeburg . The founding father Virtual Engineering Expert Group, he is of the later Fraunhofer IFF, Prof. Eberhardt working on the integrative virtual develop- Gottschalk offered Schmucker a job in the ment of sophisticated products and manu- founding team. Thus, Schmucker returned facturing processes.
BVL Honor for Fraunhofer IFF Director Schenk
This year's annual meeting of the BVL was held in Düsseldorf in advance of the anniversary sequence "Logistics' Best". Prof. Michael Schenk, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Opera- With a dual Diplom to doctorate: tion and Automation IFF, Magdeburg Dr. Komarnicki studied in Breslau and Magdeburg. stepped down from the board at the end Photo: Anna-Kristina Wassilew of altogether twelve years in office. He was presented with the BVL's golden ball forward," explains Dr. badge of honor and will contribute his Komarnicki. He's absolutely expertise to the Scientific Advisory Board right. A strong soccer team in the future. or efficiently operating grid
Presented the golden badge of honor by the BVL: operators are only succes- Prof. Michael Schenk, Director of the Fraun hofer IFF sful when they are all and the Institute of Logistics and Material Handling working for a goal. Systems at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (center). Photo: BVL
46 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Looking Beyond the Horizon proj ects dealing with ILM Recruits with the Fraunhofer IFF wood logistics, biomass Distinguished and off-road navigation. Roman Bystricky studied told me they look beyond Professor forestry science at the the horizon. I liked that. After three years of University of Zvolen in the I wanted to look beyond intensive research work, Slovak Republic until 1999. the horizon too." Roman he completed his doc - After graduation, he Bystricky has been a re- toral dissertation on worked on geographic search manager at the "Creating the Forest information systems in a Fraunhofer IFF in Magde- Road Database in the Slovakian national park for burg since 2005. The logis- Forestry Information several years until the tician worked on many System" in December of Robert Bosch Foundation 2007. In it, the young enabled him to come to researcher analyzed a Germany in 2004. He German and a Slovakian deliberately decided on forest. His doctorate also Saxony-Anhalt: From his signals the end of his studies, he knew that the days at the Fraunhofer most northerly and oldest Institute. His colleagues stand of spruce is located have become good Prof. Hartmut Zadeck is the new on the Brocken. Reason friends and both of his Holder of the Chair of Logistics. enough for the nature lover superiors, Dr. Ehrhardt Photo: Viktoria Kühne to head close to Harz and Mr. Seidel, have set National Park. a high standard for Otto von Guericke Univer- future bosses. An ex- sity's Institute of Logistics After nine months of proj- tremely interesting chal- and Material Handling Sys - ect work in the Ministry of lenge certainly awaits Dr. tems ILM has a new profes- Agriculture and the EnvI- Bystricky in the Slovak sor. Prof. Hartmut Zadeck ronment, Roman Bystricky Republic in the future. followed the university's call started looking for another Contract negotiations and is now the new Holder challenge. His adviser at the are well underway. One of the Chair of Logistics. Dr. Roman Bystricky can often be ministry drew his attention found in forests and fields. thing is certain: It will be Under ILM Managing Direc - to the Fraunhofer IFF: "He Photo: Viktoria Kühne a job in the open air. tor Prof. Michael Schenk He succeeds longtime chair- holder Prof. Dietrich Ziems . Creative Researching Spirit hofer IFF until 2007. Born in Berlin, Zadek stud- Fraunhofer IFF for the past The foundation for this ied engineering at the Tech- few years devotes himself path was laid by former nical University of Berlin to both. His colleagues fellow students who and was a faculty member describe him as a creative themselves had worked in the logistics group at the thinker and passionate at the Fraunhofer IFF Department of Technology dancer. beforehand and aroused and Management there. The young Slovakian re- his curiosity about work- He received the Konrad searcher has successfully ing at the institute. Mellerowicz Award in 1999 completed his doctorate on With his doctorate in his for his doctorate. the "Integration of Sensor pocket, he has now been Components in Prototype working as a main pow- A symposium on "Excel- Components". Sulč came er engineering designer lence and Sustainability in from Trenčin to Magdeburg at Volkswagen in Braun- Logistics" at which Prof. Dr. Juraj Sulč Photo: Anna-Kristina Wassilew as a young exchange stu- schweig since the begin- Hartmut Zadek held his dent in 2001. His original ning of the year and, inaugural lecture was part What do rapid prototyping plan was to spend five in- among other things, of the 11th IFF Science and dance have in com- teresting months here. His designs front axles for Days. mon? Dr. Juraj Sulč who plan expanded somewhat: the VW Golf popular has worked on innovative Dr. Sulč worked on inten- everywhere. product development at the sive research at the Fraun- IFFOCUS 1/2008 47 Sharp Minds ... with doctorates
Career Start in Magdeburg Metrology Engineer on World Tour
Christian Teutsch hasn’t Dr. Christian Teutsch parti- had his doctorate very cularly likes to travel the long. He's been a re- world with a backpack. search manager at the "You can only demand one Fraunhofer IFF for a hundred percent from your while longer. The talent- brain, if you clear it now ed young research began and then," is the newly his academic career at qualified doctor's motto. the Magdeburg research He will take leave from the institute in 2002 while world of research for four he was studying compu- weeks in September for an tational visualistics. His adventurous backpack tour Diplom thesis followed when he’ll be off to the and he continued with mountains and the wilder- this topic up through his ness of New Zealand. Even dissertation entitled there on the other side of "Model-based Analysis the globe, Dr. Teutsch will and Evaluation of Point be busy "measuring" some- Sets from Optical 3-D- thing on remote trails, his Laser Scanners". own fortitude this time. Obviously, everything in Dr. Five young researchers from abroad are starting their careers in As a balance to his re- Christian Teutsch's life has Magdeburg. L. to r. Kamil Lipiec (Poland), Ling He (China), Svetlana Budza (Ukraine), Izabela Sewerynek (Poland) and search work developing to do with measurement. Sergii Kolomiichuk (Ukraine). Photo: Dirk Mahler measurement systems for 3-D laser scanners, Five young researchers from the end of their residencies different points of the earth at the Magdeburg research began their research careers institute. at the Fraunhofer IFF in Magdeburg in 2008. Ling "Research Training@VDTC" He is from China, the has been running at the Middle Kingdom, Svetlana Fraunhofer IFF Virtual Budza and Sergii Kolomii- Development and Training chuk from Ukraine, the Centre VDTC since Decem- country of the Orange ber of 2005. It is a training Revo lution and Kamil Lipiec program for early stage and Izabella Sewerynek researchers supported by from Poland, the Gateway the EU as part of its Marie to the East. Curie Actions. Thematically, the program at the Fraun- They will master their first hofer IFF concentrates on challenges and gather prac- Virtual Engineering and tical experience in interna- fellows may select from tional research projects in three fields of research: the Process and Plant Engi - virtual product develop- neering, Logistics and Ma- ment, process control and terial Handling Engineering interactive training. As and Systems Business Units many as twelve young re- at the Fraunhofer IFF. searchers from abroad will Four of them have received be trained and begin their coveted Marie Curie Fel- academic careers at the lowships to do so. All of Fraunhofer IFF over four them aim to earn a Mas- years. ter's degree or doctorate at Dr. Christian Teu tsch knows the right direction. Photo: Viktoria Kühne 48 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Off to South Africa with a Doctorate Logistics Skills – Skillful Logistics Traditional doctoral initiation at the Otto von Guericke monu- ment. L. to r: Prof. Sibylle Peters, Managing Director of Alumni of the Institute the Department of Vocational of Logistics and Material Education and Human Handling Systems' Indus- Resources Development at Otto von Guericke University, Dr. trial Engineering/Logistics Mark Staiger and Prof. Michael program organized their Schenk, Director of the second reunion. Fraunhofer IFF and Managing Director of the Institute of Logistics and Material Handling Systems at Otto von Guericke University. Photo: Jörg von Garrel.
Mark Staiger earned his Dr. Mark Staiger studied qualified doctor describ- doctorate from Otto von organizational psychology, ing the last few years. Guericke University with his economics and educational For his new job, Dr. Mark dissertation on "Knowledge science in Munich. He came Staiger has moved to Management in Small and to the Fraunhofer IFF in South Africa where he is Medium-sized Enterprises: 2002. As a research mana- working for the German Development of a Frame- ger, he worked on topics of Development Service and work for Intervention to knowledge management. providing consulting to Organize a Knowledge- "Even though it was diffi- network organizations oriented Organizational cult to balance a girlfriend, working to develop the Structure and Organiza - free time and work, I en- local economy. tional Culture". joyed the time full of expe- A big crowd at this year's graduate reunion. ILM was happy to riences," says the newly see over 150 attendees. Photo: Dimitrijs Filimonovs
Fraunhofer as a Springboard to Industry Graduates, students and instructors gathered at the Rico Schady from the the Fraunhofer IFF such traditional logistics summer Production Logistics and as extended feasibility party on June 28. During Factory Systems Group studies, systematic analy- the day, attendees demon- earned his doctorate with sis of qualitative criteria strated their athleticism in his dissertation on "Meth - in factory planning and a soccer and a volleyball ods and Applications of knowledge-oriented tournament and their logis- Knowledge-oriented Factory factory modeling. tics know-how in a logistics Modeling". Schady worked In addition, he was competition with several on projects in the field of actively involved in the events. In the evening, the factory planning and pro- VDI Factory Planning outgoing graduates were duction optimization. Expert Committee. bid farewell with personal Rico Schady was born in Dr. Schady is now a con- gifts and the social portion Königs Wusterhausen in sultant in the Corporate of the program began. Brandenburg in 1977. After Technology Division at Many students took advan- high school, he studied Siemens AG where his tage of the relaxed mood industrial engineering at job is to optimize and to strike up conversations Brandenburg Technical plan manufacturing with graduates and estab- Dr. Rico Schady Photo: Robert Kummer University in Cottbus and facilities. lish initial contacts for specialized in factory plan- internships and Diplom ning. After graduation, theses. Schady devoted himself to different research topics at
IFFOCUS 1/2008 49 Gallery
Magdeburg’s Fraunhofer researchers specialize in the continuous indoor and outdoor tracking of goods and real-time monitoring of warehouse zones and handling processes.
50 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Ultrasonic localization excellently localizes logistics assets in three dimensions. A special system uses acoustic waves emitted in the 40 kHz frequency range to localize any number of mobile transponders. Thus, on the one hand, the location of an object being sought can be determined precisely. On the other hand, the system allows automatic inventorying, in hospitals for instance. It is also outstandingly suited for use in electromagnetically difficult environments such as industrial plants. Photos: Dirk Mahler
IFFOCUS 1/2008 51 Gallery
Order picking especially holds considerable potential for optimization. The monotony and strenuousness of this activity has long been recognized as an argument for automation. New variants of packaging and less packaging material are economically and ecologically expedient. However, they confronts everyone involved with great challenges. The Fraunhofer IFF's project partner KUKA Robot Group is responding to these developments with flexible solutions. Here, a robot is unloading various pallets with gripper technology that uses friction rollers to roll products onto two support plates.
52 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Photo: KUKA Roboter GmbH
IFFOCUS 1/2008 53 Gallery
54 IFFOCUS 1/2008 Logistics is a field of work of the future. At the eponymous annual Fraunhofer Guest Lecture Series under the patronage of Minister of State Development and Transportation Karl-Heinz Daehre, speakers from well known organizations present intelligent logistics solutions they use to meet the challenges of the market. Photo: Woody Stein
IFFOCUS 1/2008 55 October 20 – November 26, 2008, Magdeburg Outlook
Guest Lecture Series Meet up with us: October 22-24, 2008 25th German Logistics September 23-26, 2008 Congress: Creating InnoTrans Values – Connecting Berlin Cultures Berlin Virtual Reality: September 10, 2008 Rotor Blade Inspection November 4-6, 2008 Robot Using Infrared VISION Human and Machine Thermography and Stuttgart Ultrasound Husum November 6, 2008 in Interactive Dialog 10th Cooperation in September 25-26, 2008 Plant Engineering 5the Virtual and Industry Working Augmented Reality Group Workshop Arnstorf Magdeburg November 18-19, 2008 September 30, 2008 AKIDA DOAG:Logistics and Aachen SCM 2008 Bonn February 26-27, 2009 14th Magdeburg October 1-2, 2008 Logistics Conference: 13th ASIM Professional Sustainable Logistics Conference: Simulation Magdeburg in Manufacturing and Logistics April 20-24, 2009 Berlin Hannover Messe: Digital Factory October 8-9, 2008 Hannover Fuel Cells Science and Technology 2008 May 11-15, 2009 Copenhagen, Denmark ACHEMA Frankfurt am Main October 9-10, 2008 Fraunhofer VISION Alliance’s Technology Day 2008 Magdeburg
October 14-16, 2008 MAINTAIN Munich IFF Fraunhofer Institut Fabrikbetrieb und -automatisierung
Editorial Notes
IFFOCUS 1/2008 This magazine appears biannually and is available free of charge to clients, partners, staff, media and friends.
ISSN 1862-5320 ISBN 978-3-8167-7959-9
Publisher Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF
Prof. Michael Schenk Director
Sandtorstr. 22 39106 Magdeburg Germany Tel.: +49 391/40 90-0 Fax: +49 391/40 90-596 [email protected] www.iff.fraunhofer.de www.vdtc.de
Editorial Staff Anna-Kristina Wassilew René Maresch Thomas Zaschke
Photos, Images and Graphics © Fraunhofer IFF unless otherwise indicated
Title photo and inside cover: MEV Verlag
Layout/Design Bettina Rohrschneider
Translation Krister Johnson
Printing Harzdruckerei GmbH
We wish to thank our researchers and project partners for their support during the preparation of this publication.
© Fraunhofer IFF, July 2008
Photo: Dirk Mahler
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