'One cannot exist without the other'

Vision, Robotics & Motion trade show focuses on combination of digitization and automation

Digitalization and automation in the manufacturing industry. At the Vision, Robotics & Motion trade show, professionals will get a complete overview of the latest developments to apply smart production automation in a manufacturing environment.

From smart software systems to reduce paperwork to fully autonomous robots. The Vision, Robotics and Motion trade fair will take visitors into the world of automation and digitalization on June 5 and 6, 2024. In the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch, the most advanced cobots and the most accurate vision technology will pass by. "More and more manufacturing companies want to automate. There are several reasons for this. For example, there is an ongoing shortage in the labor market, which means that companies have to work more efficiently. In addition, product requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. Robots and cobots offer a solution. But where do you start? "We show with this fair what the possibilities are and bring companies in contact with each other," says Charlotte de Jong, Program Manager of Vision, Robotics & Motion at organizer Mikrocentrum. 

This year's trade show will be expanded to include a new pillar: Digital Innovation. This pillar focuses on digitization opportunities and solutions for companies in the manufacturing industry. "We see that digitalization and automation always go hand in hand, without digitalization you can hardly automate. Therefore, it can hardly exist separately. That makes the combination at the fair very interesting," says Timo van Leent, manager of the Events Department at Mikrocentrum. "Entrepreneurs can get informed about the latest trends. Moreover, the stories of others are often inspiring."

The beginning is difficult

Van Leent sees that smaller companies in particular find it difficult to take the first steps toward digitization and automation. They often do not have large ICT departments with huge budgets to experiment. But the market does require them to go along with the innovations. "At Vision, Robotics & Motion, entrepreneurs gain insight into what digitalization and automation can mean for them," says Van Leent. The fair features several exhibitors with the latest technologies, and there are a large number of workshops and lectures to attend. De Jong adds: "Vision, Robotics & Motion is the one-stop shop for the factory of the future." She emphasizes that the fair is of interest to both small and large companies, at different stages of automation and digitalization. "For companies that are at the beginning of that process, it is valuable to see what is possible. But also for entrepreneurs who are already further along and want to go deeper into certain components, there is plenty on offer."

Networking is central to the fair, visitors can get to know many people at the fair in a short time. For example, in addition to companies offering new technologies, various consultants and subsidy parties will be present to help companies. 

Networking

One of the exhibitors on the show floor of the new Digital Innovation pillar is software company Xibis. "We provide appropriate software packages for the manufacturing industry. You can't digitize and automate without a good ERP (enterprise resource planning) backbone," said Sijmon van den Berg, general manager at Xibis. The company has customers in the fields of machine and equipment construction, aerospace, automotive, electronics, furniture industry and construction supply. "Some companies are already at an advanced stage when it comes to digitization, while others are still at the beginning. We can make sure with our software that there is no more need for paper in an organization." 

Learning and discovery

In addition to the exhibitors and demos on the show floor, there is also an extensive lecture program. "This is an important aspect, because software is not always tangible. Through lectures, as a visitor you still get a good idea of the possibilities," Van Leent said. Dennis van Kleef, baggage program leader at Schiphol Group, gives a lecture that gives an insight into automating baggage handling at the airport. "That in turn can inspire other companies working on automating warehousing," De Jong outlines. Strengthening the network in the high-tech manufacturing industry and inspiring entrepreneurs are therefore important starting points for the fair. 

Vision, Robotics & Motion will be free to attend on June 5 and 6, 2024 at the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch.