Auer Packaging has presented several new products and expansions. The product range of the specialist provider of storage and transport packaging extends from individually definable special-sized containers to big boxes.

Hardly any other technology is currently associated with such great expectations as quantum computers. With their enormous computing power, they could revolutionize materials research, for example, or optimize components in various industries.

With the Industry 4.0 Award, the management consultancy ROI-EFESO has established an industry benchmark. Every year, it recognizes companies that are pioneering smart factories for German industry. This year, Rittal wins the "Industry 4.0 Award 2022" for the digitalization of production at the Haiger plant with its sister company German Edge Cloud.

Optimization of processes, quality improvement of products, cost savings: Big data offers the manufacturing industry the opportunity to continuously improve. VDI/VDE 3714 Sheet 6 describes how data analysis technologies can be put to good use.

Examine products from all sides with VR glasses, plan machines, systems and vehicles together with engineers and material experts in virtual reality - quickly and from any location. With the Iguversum, Igus is creating a digital parallel universe that prepares sales and engineering for the metaverse.

Artificial intelligence will not replace humans. Rather, it should be seen as our ally when it comes to optimizing processes, such as in sheet metal production.

Stratasys has announced the acquisition of quality assurance software company Riven.

TGW Logistics Group is further expanding its solution expertise in the field of mobile robotics and is entering into a partnership with Safelog. As a system integrator, TGW is thus expanding its robotics portfolio under the name Quba.

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With its devices for the direct marking of products and packaging, Bluhm Systeme offers a cost-effective alternative to labeling.

With KSS-Online 4.0, the lubrication specialist Bantleon offers a digital fluid logistics management tool of the latest generation. The machine is identified via a 14-digit barcode, fed with all specific information such as target values, fluid designation, filling volume, cost centers, responsible employees and hazard warnings.

i.safe Mobile has launched the IS540.1 smartphone. It is approved for ATEX and IECEx Zone 1/21, supports 5G frequency bands and Wi-Fi 6.

Würth Elektronik is adding new products in a 10 mm pitch to the WR-TBL series of terminal block connectors based on the wire protection principle: three THT terminal block series with screw fixing.

Augmented reality is also an interesting technology for industrial environments and applications. Virtual 3D models, which are projected into the room as holograms, enable collaborative work on prototype design development - the joint development of prototypes in real time, regardless of location and in individual teams.

Siemens cooperates with Hilscher and thus offers a wide range of communication protocols.

Andrea Alboni is responsible for the Western Europe region as General Manager at Universal Robots. At Motek, he spoke to editor-in-chief Daniel Schilling about current developments on the German cobot market, challenges for production and turnkey systems.

Manufacturers of CNC laser and plasma cutting systems are aiming for significantly shorter development times and faster time-to-market. The MTX CNC system from Bosch Rexroth supports this, for example with functions for simple engineering.

Automating the loading and unloading of machines increases efficiency in production - especially if the subsequent manual visual inspection is also carried out automatically. AI-pro develops individual solutions for this and adds robots and artificial intelligence to machines such as the servo press from Tox Pressotechnik.

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Designing pure process environments quickly, modularly and safely - Item showed how this can be done at Cleanzone in Frankfurt. The company has added numerous components to its modular system.

For four days, Formnext 2022 turned Frankfurt into the metropolis of global industrial 3D printing. With 802 exhibiting companies and 29,581 trade visitors, the event almost reached pre-corona levels.

With i³ Control, Yaskawa presented a completely new automation platform for the first time in spring. Now the company is officially launching the first products.