SmartFactoryOWL - NRW Competence Center for Digital Factories

The OWL University of Applied Sciences and the Fraunhofer Application Center IOSB-INA are located in Lemgo in the german state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Within their initiative - both institutes unify their competencies around industry 4.0 and demonstrate those technologies in the Factory of the Future - the SmartFactoryOWL.

The SmartFactoryOWL is located in the region OWL with a high density of manufacturing and automation vendor companies. Close collaboration between industry and the research institutes contributes to a high innovativity and cluster building in the area of ICT, automation and smart production. Due to these competencies, a competence center was established in those research institutes serving as a main contact and information point for SMEs to access new technologies in ICT. The creation of this competence center started in 2016 and a variety of offers with regard to qualification and technology transfer is currently… Gain an overview over the SmartFactoryOWL: http://www.smartfactory-owl.de/index.php/en/

SMEs have the chance to gain insight in the technologies of additive manufacturing. Several 3D Printers and correlated technologies are part of th SmartFactoryOWL and visualize the possibilities of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing

Different approaches of additive manufacturing technologies e.g. 3D Printing can be reviewed in the SmartFactoryOWL as well as correlated technologies. SMEs can get an overview over the possibilities of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing.

Assistant Systems

Whether projection based assistant systems, robotic or Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality - assembly and manufacturing is guided in the SmartFactoryOWL with assistant systems best as possible.

Connectivity and Big Data 

Technologies of gathering, analyzing and using data are getting more important in production plants in order to improve performance and maintenance…. How does the SmartFactoryOWL support SMEs?

Demonstration: the 1800m² large Factory (www.smartfactory-owl.de) demonstrates several industry 4.0 technologies and enables SMEs to understand what those technologies comprise
Pilot Production: SMEs can extend parts of their production into the SmartFactoryOWL to test and evaluate new technologies or processes
Prototype Development: SMEs can enable their products for industry 4.0 with new hardware and software components offered by the institutes
Technology Services: SMEs can contact the SmartFactoryOWL for different services

Information

Lab Tours: SMEs can visit the SmartFactoryOWL to feel and touch Industry 4.0 technologies
excursion: SMEs can visit the SmartFactoryOWL and cooperating companies in groups from far located regions
networks: SMEs can participate to networks in order to interact with other companies about Smart Production       

Demonstration

Demonstration of Industry 4.0 enabled demonstrators

…. Yes. service.

INEGI- INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION IN MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING is an industry-oriented Research and Technology Organization (RTO) with an organizational structure based on three pillars of activity: research with applied focus, innovation and technology transfer and consulting and advanced engineering services.

The research activity covers the areas of:

Advanced production processes   
Experimental mechanics
Applied mechanics
Energy
New materials
Development of new products and systems
Biomechanics

The research infrastructure includes a broad set of well-equipped laboratories and an extensive engineering tools base for supporting its R&D activity as well as the production of industrial or commercial prototypes.

With a workforce of 220 employees, INEGI is a Non-profit Private association with a turnover of 8.0 million euros. More than 55% of this turnover comes from R&D and innovation projects funded by the industry. In addition, a strong collaboration (over… INEGI has a very complete set of resources to support their activity, particularly for laboratories to carry out experimental work, workshops for development of components and pre-series and a comprehensive set of tools to support engineering activity such as CAD 3D (Computer Aided Design), CAE (Computer Aided Engineering), structural simulation tools, IDEAS, COSMOS and ABAQUS, casting processes, simulation, polymer injection, CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) and state of the art tools to work in wind energy, flow simulation of atmospheric and geographic information systems.
. The responsiveness of INEGI, in developing solutions for the industry, is supported on a wide range of skills related to the field of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering and innovation of products and processes. INEGI often forms partnerships with other R&I institutions in terms of expertise. In its relationship with companies, normally project teams are formed with the participation of company staff in order to maximize the transfer and enhancement of knowledge.

The Institute has a cross-cutting intervention covering a wide range of industries. However, there are some sectors where INEGI has had a more significant impact and that are considered strategic for the development of the economic fabric. These sectors include: ENERGY, METALWORKING, PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, TRANSPORT, AERONAUTICS, SPACE AND DEFENCE, SEA ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC SECTOR, SERVICES SECTOR and HEALTH.

The Services provided are:

- Rapid Prototyping

- Characterisation of Materials and Structures

- Vibration and…. Yes. service.

IMECC Ltd (Innovative Manufacturing Engineering Systems Competence Centre) is a high-tech consortium which is owned by several Estonian industrial companies and Tallinn University of Technology as science partner. IMECC is a SME, founded in 2009. IMECC's main activities are research and development in the fields of digital manufacturing, process automation, mechatronics, and materials technology. IMECC manages and participates in several national and international projects (e.g. Erasmus+, Interreg, I4MS, ERDF etc) as well as offers several different services to companies (www.imecc.ee). IMECC has played active role also in competence development process, e.g. by publishing handbooks, organising trainings and workshops to the companies.

Main activity fields:

Research and development;

Smart learning – from methodology development to teaching programs with on-line or off-line realizations;

Contribution to business development in new emerging markets outside Europe.

Main… Cooperation partner Association of Mechatronics has very modern flexible manufacturing system (FMS) located in the same facilities on ground floor which is possible to use for research work. Also it is possible to use laboratories and equipment of Tallinn University of Technology (e.g. 3D printer, additive layer technology for rapid prototyping, 3D scanner, different measurement and testing devices and systems, industrial robots, etc.), IMECC’s owners and consortium partners (e.g. CNC machine tools, machining centres, measurement machines, laser welding equipment, etc.).
.

Engineering services (e.g. recommendations for technology choice, cost calculations, technology audit, technological preparation of production, consulting on monitoring and robotics etc.)

Training (e.g. organising different kind of trainings, organizing conferences, organising composing and publishing of textbooks and special literature, elaboration of training methodologies, etc.)

Project services (administering and managing of projects, composing project applications, etc.)

. Yes. service.

Biotrend runs a state of the art facility for the development and optimization of bioprocesses, from strain screening and raw material pre-processing to process integration, scale-up and validation.

Microbial strain screening

Micro-scale multiplexing capability includes culture (in anaerobic, microaerobic and fully aerobic conditions), centrifugal separation, extraction and analysis (UV/Vis spectrophotometer and HPLC).

This high-throughput platform is optimally designed to the screening of biocatalysts and for preliminary assessment of process conditions. Typical screening activities include:

Strains producing a specific compound, for example carotenoids (beta-carotene and lycopene), organic acids (succinic, lactic and acetic acid) or others such as ethanol and biosurfactants.

Strains able to cope with specific medium requirements, such as strains that grow on agroindustrial residues (ex. lignocellulosic hydrolysates and pulp and paper waste streams) in which the ability to use… - Multiplexed 1 mL microplate cultivation, interfaced with separation and analyitical equipment.

- Fully controlled bioreactors: 5x 2L, 2x 10L, 2x 50L and 1x 200L.

- Membrane filtration (ultra and microfiltration).

- Centrifugation (tubular and disk-stack).

- High-pressure homogenisation.

- Ion exchange and adsorption.

- Vacuum evaporation (continuous small scale).

- Preparative chromatography.

- Spray-drying.

- Freeze-drying.

- Miscellaneous.

- Overhead stirrers.

- Fume hoods.

- Laminar flow hoods (one moveable).

- Microscope with image acquisition.

- 20ºC and -80ºC freezers.

- UV/VIS Spectrophotometry (cuvette and microplate)

- HPLC (IR and UV, including diode array)

- Off-gas analysis (O2 and CO2).
Drying ovens

 
.  

Microbial strain screening

Micro-scale multiplexing high-throughput platform to screen biocatalysts and for preliminary assessment of process conditions. Typical screening activities include:

Strains producing a specific compound, for example carotenoids (beta-carotene and lycopene), organic acids (succinic, lactic and acetic acid) or others such as ethanol and biosurfactants.

Strains able to cope with specific medium requirements, such as strains that grow on agroindustrial residues (ex. lignocellulosic hydrolysates and pulp and paper waste streams) in which the ability to use C5 carbon sources and to resist to the presence of inhibitors (ex. furfural and derivatives, heavy metals) is important.

Process development and optimization

Process development and optimization is performed with our battery of fully controlled bioreactors, connected to data acquisition and control software. Normally fed-batch cultivations aiming at maximizing productivities, yields and…. Yes. service.

Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd. is a modern learning, training and development center for enterprises, educational institutes and researchers in the region of Turku and Southwest Finland. The Center provides a dynamic and comprehensive environment for applied research and professional specialisation. Its facilities and services form a framework which supports and fosters cooperation between educational institutes, researcher organisations and local businesses. Services of the Center are offered to both students and professionals interested in deepening their knowledge and developing their skills in modern production methods and production automation processes.

The main shareholders of Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd. are Turku University of Applied Sciences, the City of Turku, Vocational Adult Education Foundation of Turku, and The Federation of Finnish Technology Industries in Southwest Finland, alongside approximately 80 enterprises. As an interface between companies and educational institutes… Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd. offers companies a variety of services such as training, proto product design, product development, production development, manufacturing, measuring and calibration services. The Center specialises in high-tech laser, robot welding, sheet metal, mechanisation and production automation technologies. Its machine tools include a combi sheet metal machine, a robot welding station, two laser units (2 kW and 10 kW), a bending machine with a robot, FMS-system, two machine centers, a multitasking turning machine (9-axis) and ZEISS Prismo Coordinate measuring machine.
. One of the main objectives on Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd. is to activate and support companies to develop their products as well as their production and manufacturing processes. The modern operational environment of the Center and our extensive professional networks provide companies with excellent opportunities to participate in a wide range of research and development projects. Services offered by the Center can focus on developing already existing products and production processes, or they can start already at prototype design and pilot stage. Services are tailored according to the needs of businesses and may include, for example, design, testing, production and automation services. 
. Yes. service.

Due to its nature grounded in mechanical engineering, the Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA) is a strategic and relevant Research Centre for (and with) the Community, particularly business and industry.

TEMA is included in the “Portuguese Roadmap of Research Infrastructures of Strategic Relevance”, having been classified by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and CCDRC – Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro with the highest rating ("Category 1 - Those that have demonstrated high scientific potential and are considered to have high strategic regional and/or national relevance"), following the reference in https://www.fct.pt/apoios/equipamento/roteiro/index.phtml.en

TEMA Research Centre supports a multidimensional structure embracing three strategic specialization vectors: i) Fundamental and Applied Research; ii) Innovation, Technological Development and Technology Transfer to the Society; and iii) Consulting, Training and Services.

One of the key… As a result of the investments conducted by TEMA over its 20 years of existence, the Research Centre is able to provide a wide range of highly specialized equipment. The surface analysis system by Multi technique XPS/UPS and AES highlights the uniqueness of the services that the Research Centre provides to the Community. Namely, it is the only one available in Portugal, regarding the vacuum environment conditions at the 2E-10 mbar level. Together with this specificity and based in the mechanical engineering relies the Research Centre’s diversity. The Research Centre TEMA is equipped with a set of mechanical samples’ tests, whose combination can be considered as unique in Portugal. Ranging from high precision machinery of 1E-6 N (e.g. universal dynamic testing machine with a measuring range of 100 N), passing by equipment specialized in measuring biological tissues, obtained by means of in vitro cultures, to machines of 1000 kN that allows for testing advanced high strength steel alloys. It therefore becomes…. The main purpose of the Research Infrastructure TEMA is to provide services of excellence support for the scientific and technological research in the area of mechanical engineering, addressing the needs and demands of the clients and partners at the national and international levels. The value proposition of the Research Infrastructure TEMA is the ability to easily address complex challenges due to its natural combination of multidisciplinary areas, fed by a human capital whose expertise is highly recognized and complemented by a set of advanced equipment.

The priorities’ axes assumed by the Research Unit TEMA are: i) Materials; and ii) Health, properly contextualized with the region’s reality and, consequently, aligned with the Innovation Platforms: i) Sustainable industrial solutions; and ii) Technologies for the quality of life. In parallel, the Societal Challenges in which the Research Infrastructure TEMA has a direct and strategic action and responsibilities are i) Health; Demographic evolution and…. Yes. service.

The ABC Center for Intelligent Robotics (IROB) is a recently established independent research center within Óbuda University, devoted to promote the scientific and technological advancement of robotics.

IROB has three major focuses for operation:

Cutting edge development in the fundamentals of robotics—including hardware and software; mechatronics, control and application.
Bridging the development projects to particular applications, tapping into the scientific results to solve the emerging issues of modern society.
Disseminating current knowledge about robotics both in structured form via university courses and to the wider public.

The IROB at Óbuda University is the founder and current leader of the Central European Living Lab for Intelligent Robotics (CELLI), a network of 18 robotics centers and SMEs form 7 countries. It is also member of the euRobotics aisbl, and active in numerous Topical Groups.

The services offered to thirsd parties include basic RnD, prototypization, product… The center is well equipped with generic, traditional industrial robots, and also high-end human-centered robots. It also features multiple surgical robots and in-house developed prototypes. The eqippment of the machine shop fulfills all basic requirements.

Flexible laboratory area of 400 m2, biggest room is 102 m2.
Robots and related equipment:

1x da Vinci surgical robot system (IS2000) with DVRK controllers
1x KUKA youBot
1x KUKA iiwa cooperate robot
1x FANUC m1-iA delta robot
1x FANUC M-430iA/2F industrial robot
4x NAO 4th gen.
1x FreeHand laparoscope holder
2x Falcon haptic device
6 DoF tracking devices, 2 Oculus Rift V1 DevKits, Kinect sensors, LRF, etc.

Well-equipped workshop for prototyping (including machining and 3D printing capabilities)
Computers, software and development tools

. Due to its extensive experience in robot control and excellent laboratory background, IROB will be the responsible for developing the prototype’s sensing, actuation and control strategy, and making use of knowledged-base systems for optimal planning and execution, also to guide the operations of the pilot experiments performed within the project. The already existing robotic infrastructure allows for setting up a broad range of lifelike test scenarios assisted by conventional industrial robotics  (Fanuc robots, KUKA robots) to real surgical applications (da Vinci Research Kit). Óbuda University has direct access to medical research facilities and small animal laboratories via its national and international cooperation partners (including Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest and the Austrian Center for Medical Innovation and Technology in Wiener Neustadt).
. Yes. service.

CBIMO is an interdisciplinary group working within Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries (West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin). 
 
CBIMO R&D activities are mainly focused on following topics:
- bioimmobilization and microencapsulation of living cells, bioactive substances and food-additives (encapsulation from macro- down to to nano- scale)
- biodegradable food-packaging materials (mainly cellulose, starch and PLA based materials)
- characterization and various methods of food packaging
- isolation, chemical modification and purification of biopolymers (specifically polysaccharides and their hydrophobic derivatives)
- physico-chemical characterization of biopolymers.

See the presentation of CBIMO R&D activities and recent projects.

 
Pilot plant of innovative packaging materials (manufacture, processing and modification of polymers/plastics and packaging materials - paper, paper board and plastic films)
Pilot plant of microencapsulation technologies (spray drying and other encapsulation methods to form aqueous- and dry- based particles of nano- and micro- size)
Analytical facilities (characterisation methods including HPLC/GPC, RAMAN, FTIR, SEM, 
Materials testing (mechanical, thermo-mechanical, coating/printing of packaging materials, surface characterisation, gas barrier properties).

For more info go to CBIMO WWW page:

http://cbimo.zut.edu.pl/en/centre_cbimo/profile

 
. CBIMO expertise:
- microencapsulation based on natural and modified polymers (polysaccharides and proteins),
- immobilization of living cells (mammalian and bacteria),
- food-bioactive substances (nutraceuticals) and taste and smell masking,
- formation and characterization of microcapsules (mechanical and permeability),
- formation, modification and characterization of packaging materials including mainly paper, paperboard and polymer films,
- food and packaging interaction "active packaging".

To learn more about our services go directly to CBIMO leaflets:
- packaging
- microencapsulation
. Yes. service.

The Centre for AI & Applied Data Analytics (CeADAR) is the national market-led technology centre for the research, development and deployment of AI & big data analytics technology and innovation, focusing on developing tools, techniques and technologies that enable people, organisations and industries to use AI & analytics for better decision making and competitive advantage.

The aim of CeADAR is to rapidly prototype and deliver AI & analytics technology and solutions to industry from an agenda that is solely defined by the needs of the market. The Centre’s primary outputs are prototypes, demonstrators and bespoke solutions co-developed with individual industry members.

The Centre is also one the the EU's 30 Digital Innovation Hubs in AI, an accredited i-Space from the BDVA. 

Along with NextGeneration in Dublin, the Centre set up the European Data Science and AI Awards (The DatScis) which showcases and celebrates the talent and success of individuals and companies in AI across the EU
The CeADAR centre www.ceadar.ie has a high bandwidth, high speed data centre to enable the real-time processing of very large quantities of fast streaming data of the sort that is experienced in large industrial process control and prediction applications. CeADAR maintains its own data centre as well as using web services from various providers. Recently the Centre was awarded national funding to acquire a supercomputer which will also be accessible to the nation ecosystem of SMEs and MNCs
. The CeADAR Centre undertakes consultancy, contract research, participation in EU Horizon 2020 consortia, and develops up to 12 demonstrator projects per year in 2 cycles of 6 months each.

Each project is proposed by the industry members and is focused on close-to-market challenges.

The Centre has an extensive catalogue of technology demonstrators (>60), IP and AI/Machine Learning/Analytics technology reviews which are immediately available to members for evaluation.
. Yes. service.

HILASE Centre is a semi-autonomous department of the Institute of Physics. The mission of HiLASE is to form a “Center of Excellence”, acting as a bridge between the academic world and industry, enabling new laser applications, technologies, and targeted development of diode pumped solid state laser systems (DPSSLs) with high average power and breakthrough potential. The HiLASE project was launched in 2011 and has already achieved leadership in the field of high pulse energy and high average power DPSSLs in IR, UV and D-UV. Selected areas for our laser applications are: materials processing, surface modifications and functionalization, laser improved mechanical engineering and modifications, semiconductors, biomedical and optics. HiLASE currently has more than 60 full-time employees and a truly international team of researchers. The overall annual budget is about 8 mil. USD, with rapidly increasing level of cooperation with industry and research institutions worldwide.
Fundamental wavelength of our laser system 1030 nm:

PERLA B-50, thin-disk picosecond laser <2 ps, 500W (@1030 nm), 1 kHz / 10 kHz repetion rate, pulse energy 50 mJ, M2 = 1.4
PERLA C-500, thin-disk picosecond laser <2 ps, 500W (@1030 nm), 100 kHz repetion rate, pulse energy 5 mJ, M2 = 1.4
PERLA C-800, thin-disk picosecond laser <2 ps, 800W (@1030 nm), 1 MHz repetion rate, pulse energy 0.8 mJ, M2 = 1.4
10 J @ 10Hz, nanosecond laser 2 - 10 ns 
100J @ 10Hz, nanosecond laser 2 - 10 ns
LIDT chamber ps / ns
LSP station

Harmonic conversion (picosecond systems):

low energy 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
high energy 2nd, 3rd
OPA mid-IR

. Services are provides in following categories: 

Contractual research and research services
Collaborative research
Access to laboratories

Basic topics are:

Process development
Technology validation
Laser beam time renting
Feasibility study & proof of concept
Prototyping of laser systems & components

. Yes. service.