Objectives

Since October 2016, IMMS has had a support role in the gradual introduction of Industry 4.0 technology to industrial companies in the region. To meet the growing demand for customer-specific products and services and so to remain competitive, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are having to optimise their processes and join forces. For this reason, the Ilmenau Mittelstand 4.0 centre of excellence has been set up to support to SMEs as they begin to apply the digitisation and other technologies needed in Industry 4.0. The electronic solutions are to be the means of bringing flexibility and optimum methodology into every process in the added-value chain and every stage of business through from the drawing board to manufacture in commercially-linked networks.

The Ilmenau SME Digital Centre Ilmenau

The German federal ministry for industry (BMWi) has funded the digital centre with Technische Universität Ilmenau at its head so that four partners, called Fabs, can offer relevant information and innovative approaches which are then put to the test. The Fabs, or ”Modellfabriken (model factories)“ bridge a number of fields, which include the networking of machines and production processes, virtualisation, 3D printing and individualised production, the generating of process data and data transfer, and smart sensor systems.

The IMMS contribution as the ”Smart Sensor Systems Model Factory“

IMMS, now also known as the ”Smart Sensor Systems Model Factory“, is supporting other enterprises in their gradual adoption of the technology applicable in Industry 4.0. An example of what this means is refitting machinery and equipment with wireless and networked sensors so that data can be obtained and processed to underpin new diagnostic, maintenance and service plans. Using universal electronics platforms for components that are Industry 4.0 compatible, together with open-source software, is an effective means of achieving rapid, reasonably priced, real-time innovation.

All SME Digital events of IMMS

AI trainer at IMMS

Since May 2020, AI trainers from SME Digital have been supporting the planning and design of concrete AI implementation measures and strategies, imparting knowledge on methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning in digitisation and helping with their introduction, implementation and expansion. AI trainer Wolfram Kattanek of the ”Smart Sensor Systems Model Factory“ at IMMS offers support in the following areas:

• intelligent sensor and measurement systems
• sensor-based AI-based signal processing
• Machine condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Knowledge transfer from research to SMEs
• practical demonstration and implementation projects with AI