Digitisation has been reflected in more and more areas for several years. The term "Industry 4.0" covers digital adaptations and changes to production processes and business models. The food and feed industry also faces the challenge of making timely decisions on digitisation. Which standards now apply to communication and data exchange in plants? What do "IoT" and "IIoT" mean and what importance will these terms have in the future? These and other questions were asked and answered during the third workshop on digital networking of the food and feed industry at the IFF.
In order to familiarise the participants with the programme content and the relevance of this topic for the food and feed industry, numerous speakers answered questions on 5 November. In addition to Dr. Werner Sitzmann (KAHL), Detlev Kutscher (kutscher.TEC GmbH), Michael Przytulla (VDMA), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Weiß (Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts) and Rene Hirschmugl (evon GmbH) gave lectures. Besides, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Strube (Ostfalia University), Dr. Dominik Rohrmus (Labs Network Industrie 4.0 e.V.), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Witte (inlT) and Patrick Wefing (ILT.NRW) participated in the seminar.
The lecturers not only trained the participants that "IoT" stands for "Internet of Things" and "IIoT" for "Industrial Internet of Things". During the eight-hour workshop, they also provided insights into the need for the digital age to enter into the mechanical engineering sector, into the communication flow and how to deal with all this in the future.
And despite the extensive and theory-based day, all participants agreed at the end of the seminar: "Digital networking of the food and feed industry" is an exciting and recommendable event which shows companies the right direction and which should continue to be very well received.
(All rights on the text are reserved by AMANDUS KAHL GmbH & Co. KG/ Photo ©Andreas Schultz)