The SPS Connect took place from 24 - 26 November 2020 and boasted an impressive program on all the main topics prevalent in the automation industry. A total of 120 program elements in 3 parallel streams and several roundtables attracted up to 1,300 live viewers for the most popular presentations.
This impressive range of expert knowledge is now available on the platform on-demand allowing visitors and other participants to dip into the content at their leisure until the end of December.
With the subject of digital twins as an integral part in the realization of Industry 4.0, Patrick Bruder, Business Development Manager Automation at Lenze SE held a talk entitled: “On the way to Industry 4.0 with the digital twin”. The talk included insights, especially designed for machine builders and end-users the standards that need to be followed as well as what concrete steps have to be taken to remain competitive.
SICK continued this theme with a talk “Virtual commissioning of sensors as digital twin components” providing an outlook on how sensors can be physically mapped using valid behavior models and how real sensor functions can be seamlessly used from the concept phase to virtual commissioning,
Microsoft Deutschland talked to a wide audience on “How a distributed industrial cloud enhances future-proof production processes”; a relevant theme for all manufacturers moving from automated machinery to autonomous end-to-end manufacturing processes.
The highlights continued with the lecture on Sensor Solutions for Smart Factories by Sensata Technologies. The leading provider of innovative sensor-rich solutions held a session on solutions in smart sensing with a focus on digital, wireless, sensor fusion, CANopen, IO-Link & functional safety.
In a session by Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG “Traditional and next-generation automation technologies: PC-based control – from on-premises through to the cloud” was addressed, which included insights on the history of PC-based control technology at Beckhoff Automation plus the milestones on the path to its success. Participants also learned about the advantages of PC-based control technology and how it can continue to be developed by incorporating new cloud-based communication mechanisms and infrastructures.
Bosch Rexroth AG hosted a well-received roundtable discussion on ctrlX AUTOMATION entitled: “ctrlX AUTOMATION – Two Steps Ahead” highlighting the changes faced in the production world. The talk centered on the new level of agility needed to keep pace with the global speed of innovation. The solution discussed is designed to surmount the classic boundaries between machine control, IT world and the Internet of Things.
The topic of “Safety meets Security - why cyber security is a key requirement for functional safety” was certainly in safe hands with a talk by Phoenix Contact, which included details on the importance of a common strategy against cyber-attacks.
Schneider Electric held a talk on the Future of Automation with IEC 61499 - EcoStruxure Automation Expert and answered questions such as how to save time and costs through hardware independent programming, ensuring faster time-to-market through event-based programming and an easier connection to IT systems through high IT proximity in design.
Networking and presentations on demand until the end of the year
The virtual platform will remain active until the end of the year, allowing participants to continue to exchange information via chats and to view all these highlight presentations and much more during this period.
Next year, SPS will return to Nuremberg in the regular format from 23 - 25 November 2021.
Information on the event can be found under sps-exhibition.com.
About Mesago Messe Frankfurt
Mesago, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 160 members of staff Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 3,300 exhibitors and over 110,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,600 employees* at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of around €733 million*. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*preliminary figures 2019