Analysis
20th productronica To Examine Key Industry Topics
production exhibition director Christian Rocke says the 2013 exhibition will build on the success of the 2011 event. He expects 80 more exhibitors to attend the show including some debutants and others returning to the show after an absence. As the industry continues to grow he also expects an increase in visitors from 2011 when 38,000 attended, an increase of over 30 per cent on 2009.
RockWhat they will find says Rocke is that productronica is much more than an exhibition. “It enables the visitor to see a factory running,” he asserts. The show will focus on a number of specific topics that will be spread throughout the show to give visitors a specific insight into manufacturing technologies.
This year the spotlight will fall on manufacturing technologies for cables and plugs that relate to networking renewable energies, coil winding and LED manufacturing , efficient production management as it relates to automation in manufacturing, and electronic manufacturing services, a sector that is a driving force for innovation, says Rocke.
Rocke also plans to build a clean room within the show and an expert will be on hand to describe how to set up a clan room, the equipment required and how it should be operated efficiently.
The popular CEO Forum will return. IBM and Infineon will be represented along with executives from two other companies. They will discuss what is described as Industry 4.0 also known as the next Industrial Revolution. Rocke describes it as a big step function in manufacturing processes using intelligent networks. The forum has been organised in association with ZVEI, Germany’s electronics industry association.
The shortage of engineers will also be addressed in a specially assigned Jobs Area which will be populated by companies, universities and schools. It should be a special attraction to the students who will be invited to Students Day on the last day of the show.
To aid visitors to the show Rocke has established an exhibitor/visitor matching service on the productronica website. Visitors can register their specific interests and the website will respond with a list of companies covering that area and the option to set up an appointment online.
This year the show will fill seven halls at the Munich Exhibition Centre and Rocke says that two halls covering soldering technology and pcb manufacturing are already sold out.
And there is relief for those who find the walking too much. A special e-vehicle shuttle service will run from Halls A1 to A4.
productronica 2013 takes place November 12-15 in Munich