Fachforen LogiMAT 2019

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel, Director of the Fraunhofer IML, Ordinary of FLW, Technical University of Dortmund

The central hypothesis in times of artificial intelligence could be: All processes that can be described in algorithms will be – and that applies to all intralogistics processes. A new world is emerging in which algorithms negotiate, blockchains secure flows of money and goods, and artificial intelligence processes determine success in a coming economy of platforms. This route seems pre-programmed, because all the technology for it is already there: From the IoT device with 10-year battery life to networks (5G, NB IoT et al.) and highly scalable platforms where millions of users meet.

Chaired by: Sandra Lehmann, Editor, LOGISTIK HEUTE, HUSS-VERLAG GmbH, Munich

Sustainability is the hot topic in the packaging sector. Driven by new packaging legislation and the planned EU prohibition on plastic waste, an increasing number of packaging companies and logistics service providers are being compelled to make their process chains more sustainable. There are already solutions on the market to help them, such as environmentally friendly materials and packaging processes, or improved methods of recycling. In this forum, experts from the worlds of business and academia explain how the packaging sector can profit from these innovations and how companies can tweak their systems.

Chaired by: Dr. Christian Jacobi, Managing Director, EffizienzCluster Management GmbH, Managing Partner agiplan GmbH, Mülheim an der Ruhr

Artificial intelligence, robotics or autonomisation: digitalisation continues to permeate the intralogistics sector. It offers new opportunities to further develop business models and analogue processes. What added value can digital innovations bring to small and medium-sized companies? How should new technologies best be implemented? When is automation worthwhile and what are its limitations?
In this specialist forum, experts from the intralogistics sector report on their positive and negative experiences and on the new challenges presented by digital transformation.

Chaired by: Peter Altes, Managing Director, AIM-D e. V., Lampertheim

Production, the supply chain and logistics are in a process of digital transformation and are becoming ever more closely intertwined. Automatic identification systems (AutoID) form the basis of this process and of communication between people, machines and objects. Integration with software systems, Cloud connectivity (IoT) – in particular security – present major challenges. AIM experts will demonstrate and explain to you the contribution of AutoID to digital transformation and thereby more efficient control and optimisation of company processes.

Chaired by: Waldemar Osterhoff, Senior Consultant Forum-FTS GmbH, Voerde

Driverless transport system projects are usually complex and demanding. Innovative technologies and experienced project management must be carefully combined. Specific guidance is provided on the simplified, well calculated planning of driverless transport systems for use in indoor and outdoor applications.
The first lecture addresses meeting market demand after standardisation with a modular AGV system. The second lecture is concerned with the technical requirements for outdoor projects. The third lecture deals with the 10 key factors in successful driverless transport system projects.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Fottner, Chair of Material Handling Technology, Material Flow and Logistics,Technical University of Munich, Garching near Munich 

Current research and development efforts focus on the automation and dynamic development of tugger train systems. The forum addresses different approaches and discusses their potential for the manufacturing logistics of tomorrow. The automatic loading and unloading of carrying units, the significance of integration within the smart logistics chain and dynamic route planning and control will be among the subjects of discussion. Both the commercial aspects and the effects on technical system design will be addressed.

Chaired by: Thorsten Aha, Editor-in-Chief, ident, Ident Verlag & Service GmbH, Dortmund

The identification experts’ forum ‘Auto-ID Applications in Logistics’ is concerned with the technology that underlies digitalisation and logistics. In practical lectures, the application of technologies such as RFID, NFC, barcodes, mobile IT and labelling is presented and discussed. Flexible solutions and innovative technologies are essential to survival in the current market and to meet the full range of customer requirements. In particular for small and medium-sized companies, consistent implementation of digitalisation in logistics is an enormous challenge. To illustrate a variety of ways into Logistics 4.0, the application of technologies such as RFID, NFC, barcodes, mobile IT and labelling are presented and discussed in these practical talks.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h. c. Karl-Heinz Wehking, Head of the Institute of Mechanical Handling and Logistics, University of Stuttgart

Sequence 1
10:00 – 11:00

Excellence in manual order picking

Designing efficient and versatile manual order picking processes

Manual order picking systems offer a high level of flexibility at low investment costs. Humans are able to adapt quickly to dynamic, diverse process content and can branch out into other functional areas of a business in the event of fluctuations in capacity demand. That is why manual activities are a part of the commissioning processes in production and distribution logistics. This sequence, with lectures by academics and business professionals, delivers specific research-based approaches to the planning and the optimisation of manual order picking systems.

Sequence 2
11:30 – 12:30

Reaction not anticipation! – Material flow for lot size 1

Supply mesh for adaptable production

If the product world is changing, the logistics supporting it cannot stagnate. Individual and-customer-specific ex works solutions have made lot size 1 a reality even in mass production. Intralogistics therefore should not be a barrier here, it should pioneer flexible and transformable production processes. Efficiency in material supply processes however must not end at the factory gate, but is also a factor in fast-response supplies from the logistics warehouse and from suppliers.

Sequence 3
13:30 – 14:30

Connected and secure – concepts for the production facilities of the future

Theoretical and practical concepts

Integrated, decentralised control systems and new safeguarding concepts will take on increasing importance in future production sites. From various research projects, concept case studies in the sectors of integration, control and security are illustrated, from theory through to practice, and approaches to solutions to meet current challenges are presented. The series provides, among other things, an insight into the research project ARENA2036 and shows the emphasis on IFT there.

Sequence 4
15:00 – 16:00

Intelligent use of energy at the logistics centre

IFT Day meets the intralogistics network in Baden-Württemberg e.V.

Are logistics centres fit to provide flexibility for power networks, to use renewable energies and integrate electromobility?
These are the questions that preoccupy the special Baden-Württemberg IFT and intralogistics network series with the presentation of industrial and research-oriented approaches to solution-finding such as that of the Baden-Württemberg environment ministry-funded research project FELSeN.

Chaired by: Bettina Bohlmann, Start-In Guide, 3p procurement branding GmbH, Düsseldorf; Contributor at the conference EXCHAiNGE 2019

Many supply chain organisations focus exclusively on efficiency and the ability to optimise. This can have a fatal effect when change is fast paced. Even if the core business is designed on lean management principles, organisational units are still also needed that have the structure and mindset of a start-up and which focus entirely on (disruptive) innovation. Instead of formalisation, hierarchy and structuring, the units that focus on cross-cultural ‘research and experimentation’ are more likely to be described as informal, autonomous and risk-tolerant.

Chaired by: Dr.-Ing. Klaus Schmitt, Member of the Board of Directors at Intralogistik-Netzwerk in Baden-Württemberg e.V. and identification systems product manager in the systems sector for Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH

Human/machine combinations are linked to expectations of increasing the physical performance of people or at least of protecting people from overexertion and exhaustion. There are many physical aids to lifting and load-carrying on the market. Some work with sophisticated mechanical systems. Others are motor-assisted and a third type combines similar systems with other functions. How far have the developments come? How powerful are the systems? What developments are expected for the near future? Come with your questions and ask the experts!

Chaired by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rolf Jansen, CEO of VVL e. V., Dortmund

Sensor-equipped food packaging, energy harvesting and auto-ID solutions for the entire supply chain or the opportunity for the additional production of transport packaging and load carriers are some of the issues which are the current focus of attention at VVL e. V. in Dortmund. Scientific support for such developments by R&D institutions such as VVL e. V. assists market operators in implementing more goal-oriented ongoing and new developments. Selected companies and project managers present their results in the context of the forum.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Kai-Oliver Schocke, Professor for Production Management and Logistics, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

The evaluation of sensor data enables efficient process control and optimisation on the shop floor and perfectly timed supply with the necessary semi-finished products and raw materials. Yet few firms are able to upgrade their machine pools all at one go as well as linking them to automatic parts picking. We use a case study to show how an existing disparate technical environment can be gradually adapted to modern Industry 4.0 production control standards using SAP ME including production logistics and the active shaping of the transformation process.

Chaired by: Jean Haeffs, Managing Director, VDI-Gesellschaft Produktion und Logistik (GPL), Düsseldorf

Technical progress in areas such as sensor systems, image recognition algorithms, automated vehicles and communication is advancing rapidly. The performance of these components is improving continually and their prices are falling. Both aspects can open up new economic opportunities including in manufacturing logistics. The challenge of the future is to combine these components in a logical manner to create more efficient and more economical complete systems. In addition to questions of technical integration, new planning processes must be developed here that will meet these challenges.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Dr. Bernd H. Kortschak, Chair, Business Administration and Logistics, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences

Industry 4.0, 5G, real-time communication, artificial intelligence, blockchain and algorithms, drones and robots – who is doing what in the warehouse – and why? What are the conditions that have to be met in order to make a success of digitising the warehouse? What functional requirements can be met more economically by digitalisation? Can we assess and even calculate these things yet? Come and find out the answers!

Chaired by: Thorsten Hülsmann, Managing Director, EffizienzCluster Management GmbH und Digital Hub Logistics, Dortmund

Digital teams within existing companies, known as startins, are using the latest digital technologies for the fast development of new products and validation by pilot customers. The key is to work as quickly and flexibly as possible. This often means operating like a startup or even specifically working with startups. The forum demonstrates by giving, in each case, a short pitch and subsequent discussion on how logistics digital hub startins and startups approach this challenge.

Chaired by: Michael Lickefett, Head of Department and Eduardo Colangelo, Project Director, Factory Planning and Production Management, Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart

Production data is a rich resource and essential for anything from networking to artificial intelligence in factory operations. Two elements are vital in its effective application: The ‘digital shadow’ collects, consolidates and distributes all production data. And assistance systems apply the data from the digital shadow. In this forum we show the possible application scenarios

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Michael Krupp, Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Hochschule Augsburg, Augsburg

In the “LogiPICs – Logistical Processes in Imagery” project, a universal interculturally understandable visual language has been developed and tested for non-mother-tongue German employees in the warehouse. This specialist forum will give an insight into the development work. Specific applications for the ‘LogiPICs’ visual language will also be presented. See and test the prototype LogiPICs system that has been developed specifically for use in warehouses and handling halls.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Michael Henke, Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics, Dortmund,
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Fottner, Chair of Material Handling Technology, Material Flow and Logistics,Technical University of Munich, Garching near Munich 

The objective of the ALUROUT research project is to build up and develop a German/Chinese alumni network in the sphere of logistics. This will promote the targeted exchange of knowledge between German and Chinese research institutions and industrial companies, the identification of areas of research and the initiation of research and industrial projects. The forum presents opportunities and challenges for collaboration between the two countries.

Chaired by: Hans-Joachim Schlobach, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, BUSINESS+LOGISTIC, RS Verlag GmbH

Everyone is talking about digitalisation and Industry 4.0, yet hardly anyone mentions the major challenges that not even the technicians know how to overcome. Considering the volatility of the developments themselves, the deficit of skilled labour and infrastructural problems, enormous challenges face society before the gigabit society and Industry 4.0 can become a reality. A group of opinion leaders from industry and science discuss the challenges and approaches to a solution for the achievement of the gigabit society and Industry 4.0.

Chaired by: Dr.-Ing. Günter Ullrich, Executive Partner, Forum-FTS, Voerde

The demands for the driverless transport systems of the future can only be met if new technologies are implemented. Three case studies are examined of major significance for future autonomous systems.
The first lecture will address focal issues of energy supply for AGVs, emphasising modern energy storage and charging procedures. The second lecture is about the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Both personal identification and gesture command are managed using neural networks. The third lecture will be about new flexible methods of vehicle tracking. Here for example floor surfaces can merely be scanned to calculate the precise position of an AGV.

Chaired by: Prof. Dr. Michael Hauth, Chairman, Intralogistik-Netzwerk in Baden-Württemberg e.V.; Professor of Logistics and Purchasing and Head of MSc. Industrial Engineering, University of Mannheim

The induction period for new employees can be significantly shortened by taking a gaming-style approach. Could this inspire long-term motivation and thereby also productivity in monotonous activities? Can serious logistics be a game? What do such methods achieve in communicating Industry 4.0 concepts?
Learn how working life can become more like a game and the role that information technology has to play in it.