Dresden, January 24, 2017. The topic of discussion for experts at the “14th Innovation Forum for Automation” from 19 to 20 January 2017 in Dresden will be how digitization enables mass production within key German industries to advance development and prepare for the future. At this event, providers of automation technology as well as researchers and companies putting this technology into use will demonstrate the opportunities offered by “Industry 4.0” and how new technologies are already changing value-added chains and manufacturing processes at a very rapid pace.

Companies from Saxony with 20 years of experience in automation
Saxony’s capital also presents the opportunity to experience exceptional examples of production automation “Made in Germany” live. Inventive, capable German mid-sized companies with more than 20 years’ experience in automation specifically for the global semiconductor and solar industries are not only the innovation drivers for these types of intelligent automation solutions but also provide the foundation for new Industry 4.0 solutions. These experts also include automation specialists from Saxony Fabmatics, AIS Automation Dresden, SYSTEMA and XENON Automatisierungstechnik.  These companies founded the Automation Network Dresden (AND) 14 years ago in order to share experiences and to discuss industry trends together with interested companies from industries where automation was under way. With these objectives in mind, this year’s “14th Innovation Forum for Automation” offers a look into the future for other industries, such as the automotive industry, in addition to proven Industry 4.0 solutions for the semi-conductor industry.

Innovation via the “Smart Systems Hub”
“More than 250 domestic and international experts from companies such as Bosch, Infineon, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Texas Instruments, Carl Zeiss or Continental, have accepted our invitation,” notes Heinz Martin Esser, Managing Director at Fabmatics GmbH, and board member of the trade association Silicon Saxony e.V. Where innovation is concerned, Saxony has since established itself as an important location. We want to continue to expand these strengths: In the “Smart Systems Hub – Enabling the Internet of Things”, specialists from industry and the research community will soon be working jointly on new intelligent systems. The central focal points for this work will be linking micro-electronics, sensor technology, software and connectivity.” The semiconductor industry is playing a major role in this process. First, its products create the technological conditions for networked intelligent production. Second, over the course of the past several years the industry has already started producing custom chips based on customer specifications. Factory automation is of key importance here.

Recipient of numerous awards: Infineon Dresden
As an example, Infineon has shown itself to be a pioneer in the area of digitising and networking industrial processes. In the Industry 4.0 context, the company is both supplier and user. For example, wafer transport, system controls and production management at Infineon Dresden are now linked to each other and controlled in real time via IT systems. In addition, production communicates with other locations around the world. This work was recently recognised by Manager Magazine with the “Game Changer Award”. This award is handed out by the editors along with business consultancy Bain & Company in recognition of “disruptive business models”, in other words developments that are changing entire industries. The jury honoured Infineon in the category “Operations of the future” for its global networking of production to create a virtual factory. The trade publication “Produktion” also selected Infineon’s Dresden plant as “Factory of the Year” – in the category “safeguarding production sites through digitisation”. This award honours the winner of a competition that has since come to be seen as the toughest benchmarking for the manufacturing industry in Germany and Europe.

Infineon currently has just over 2,000 employees in Saxony’s capital. Even though it has already been in operation for more than 20 years, it is the company’s most modern factory. The 200mm production line in Dresden has the highest level of automation in the world. Part of the required automation technology was developed in close collaboration with companies in the Automation Network Dresden. The first 300mm high-volume production line in the world power semiconductors was designed as a highly automated factory from the very outset. Other companies, such as Bosch and Texas Instruments, will also speak about their experiences with automating existing factories at the “14th Innovation Forum for Automation”. The “Smart Fab” is an important step for the semi-conductor industry in order to remain successful in global competition from its base in Europe.

Innovation prize to automotive component supplier Continental
The automotive industry has been under similar pressure to innovate for many years. The Continental AG will be awarded the Innovation Prize at the “14th Innovation Forum for Automation” for its work in the automated production of miniaturised Piezo actuators. The company operates its competence centre for the production of common rail diesel injection systems at its factory in Limbach-Oberfrohna, Saxony. These devices make it possible for modern combustion engines to make especially efficient use of this form of fuel. Continental has brought a new generation of these systems to market that are based a significantly more efficient Piezo actuator.

“Miniaturisation in particular requires entirely new manufacturing technologies”, explains Dr. Udo Kreißig, Director Technology and Manufacturing Planning Diesel for Injectors at Continental. “Passivation in the pm-layer density must
be performed under clean room conditions, along with high-precision laser processed structures in order to expose interfaces in the Piezo layer and re-bonding with a vacuum coating machine. Finally, the electrical connection is
produced via ultra-thin lead frames that enable the Piezo actuator to move.”

For additional information:
http://www.and-innovation.de

For questions:
Fabmatics GmbH, Kathrin Kammer, Tel. +49 (0)351 65237-230, Kathrin Kammer

About Fabmatics GmbH
With its headquarters in Dresden, is an experienced provider of Industry 4.0 solutions, in particular for the automation of material flows and handling processes in high-tech production environments. Fabmatics is the result of the merger of HAP Handhabungs-, Automatisierungs- und Präzisionstechnik GmbH Dresden and Roth & Rau – Ortner GmbH along with its American subsidiary Roth & Rau – Ortner USA, Inc. Both predecessor companies have their origins in the semiconductor industry where they have been implementing automation projects with great success for more than 20 years. This has also created a strong market position for the modernisation of 200mm semiconductor factories around the world. Owner-managed Fabmatics, including its subsidiary Fabmatics USA, Inc. located in Sandy, Utah, does business around the world and currently has some 200 employees, generating sales of some € 25 million. Fabmatics is a member of global industry association SEMI and the high-tech network Silicon Saxony e.V.

For additional information: www.fabmatics.com

About AIS Automation Dresden GmbH
AIS is a global software company with its headquarters in Dresden. For more than 25 years, the company has successfully developed IT solutions in the factory and production automation sectors. Other areas of focus include plant integration and controls in a wide variety of industries and technology segments, including the semiconductor, photovoltaic, solar and automotive industries.
The company’s more than 135 experienced and committed employees create, develop and install high-quality software solutions around the world. AIS supports its customers during the entire production life-cycle, from the specification phase, to implementation and installation on-site and on going comprehensive support. Since 2011, AIS has been part of the Meyer Burger Group providing it access to a comprehensive network for global project work and customer care.

For additional information: www.ais-automation.com

About SYSTEMA GmbH
With its 20 years’ experience and 160 employees, SYSTEMA GmbH is a leading provider of software solutions and IT services for the production industry. Its portfolio ranges from platform-independent plant integration to automation of production processes as well as the implementation and enhancement of production management systems and their integration into ERP / supply chain management systems. Software solutions from SYSTEMA are easy to operate and are based on reliable in-house solutions as well as products from well-known partners. In addition to its headquarters in Dresden, the company has operations in Regensburg, Malaysia and the United States.

For additional information: www.systema.com

About XENON
XENON Automatisierungstechnik GmbH plans, develops and produces machines and systems for automating production processes. XENON has extensive process and automation-related experience from its work an independent systems integrator for a variety of production technologies. XENON supplies customer-specific systems for assembling and testing mechatronic systems, electronic components, sensors, plug connectors and contact systems, metal/plastic hybrids, solar cells and modules and well as medical-technical products. The company supports its customers in choosing the most efficient production technology combined with ideal production costs. The combination of innovative process solutions and extensive experience in plant construction has been the foundation for the company’s consistent growth since 1990. XENON currently has 190 employees located in Dresden, Suzhou (China) and Hong Kong.

For additional information: www.xenon-automation.com