HANNOVER MESSE

HANNOVER MESSE 2013 drew to a successful close on Friday. “Over the past several days, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology has underscored its role as a key driver of the fourth industrial revolution,” commented Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe AG.

The eleven trade fairs staged under the umbrella of HANNOVER MESSE 2013 from 8 to 12 April featured the keynote theme of “Integrated Industry.” 6,550 exhibitors, highlighting a multitude of innovative products and technology solutions, provided a vivid showcase for this theme. The show’s five core topics – Industrial Automation and IT, Energy and Environmental Technology, Fluid Power and Power Transmission, Industrial Subcontracting, Manufacturing Technology and Services and R&D – opened up new prospects for expert dialogue across all aspects of Industry 4.0.

A mini Eiffel Tower and plenty of high-tech

That is how the exciting exhibition from Laser Zentrum Hannover at HANNOVER MESSE 2013 can be summed up. A Eiffel Tower accurate to the smallest detail and just a few millimeters high is likely to especially thrill lay persons. Professionals might be more interested in the strain sensors that precisely and promptly measure forces in machines, bearings and motors.

The longest bus in the world is stopping at HANNOVER MESSE

The worldwide trend towards urbanisation continues. According to a survey by the United Nations (UN), the percentage of city dwellers in industrialized nations has already reached 75 per cent and will rise to 86 per cent by 2050. Therefore, modern city transport needs vehicles that combine maximum mobility with minimum environmental pollution. German company Göppel Bus GmbH is exhibiting an attractive transport concept for the mobility requirements of urban regions at HANNOVER MESSE 2013 – the longest bus in the world.

A tiny source of emergency power

UPS systems are used in places like hospitals and data centers to ensure an uninterrupted supply in the event of problems with the power grid. Such systems are normally pretty big. Not so the new DPA UPScale ST 200 which ABB is showcasing at HANNOVER MESSE 2013. It generates its power on an area of just 0.42 square meters, making this UPS the most compact modular system in the world. It achieves a power density of up to 472 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2).

Clever materials heal themselves

When someone gets a scratch, the wound will quickly heal thanks to an elaborate system of neural stimuli and healing processes. The smart composites that scientists from TU Dresden are presenting at HANNOVER MESSE 2013 can do precisely the same thing.

3D technology takes off

Just how diverse the applications now are for advanced 3D technologies was demonstrated by AIROPAL at HANNOVER MESSE 2013.The Leipzig-based company produces the Multicopter alpha4, an unmanned flying object that can be used in various service tasks - for example, taking aerial photographs, in land surveying or for carrying out maintenance in inaccessible places.

A firm hold thanks to the gecko principle

In industrial processes, the processing of parts and components with highly sensitive surfaces can be difficult. During production, the workpiece must be moved back and forth in the individual processing steps. "Taking hold" of these parts with conventional gripping systems still entails the risk of damaging or soiling the surfaces. Suction cup systems are a solution to this problem – but they do not work in a vaccuum. At HANNOVER MESSE 2013, researchers from the Leibnitz Institute for New Materials (INM) are presenting an adjustable gecko system that functions in airless space.

The hand with a very delicate touch

Today’s high-tech grippers are extremely flexible. They can be used to handle all kinds of parts in quick succession without having to factor in changeover times. With every grip, finger position and force automatically adapt to the properties of the tool. At HANNOVER MESSE 2013, SCHUNK will be presenting a concept study of a five-finger hand that is similar in size and movement to a human hand.

Getting a grasp on Industry 4.0

Be honest: Do you know exactly what is meant by the terms ‘Smart Factory’ or ‘fourth industrial revolution’? Not to worry.