Senaf brings together Italian excellence in the automotive sector that are implementing new industry 4.0 business models

According to the latest report on Italian automotive components by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, ANFIA (the Italian Automotive Supply Chain Association) and the Centre for Automotive and Mobility Innovation (CAMI) of the Management Department of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the turnover of the automotive supply chain compartment is equal to EUR 46.5 billion (+6.9% compared to the previous year). Another confirmation of the Italian manufacturing industry’s ability to keep up with the latest industry developments, driven especially by export (+7.8% in the first six months of 2018) and investments in Industry 4.0. And Italian entrepreneurs are well-aware of the importance of investing in innovation, as demonstrated by the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 of the World Economic Forum, in which Italy is ranked 22nd out of 140 countries for its capacity of innovation. In view of the next edition of MECSPE (Fiere di Parma, from 28 to 30 March 2019), Senaf has decided to outline Italian excellence in Industry 4.0 starting from the automotive sector and the experience of a few entrepreneurs.

Many Italian manufacturers are responding to the National Industry 4.0 plan by analysing the potential benefits of enabling technologies and investing in the adoption of ICT, the enhancement of innovation, and the implementation of new business models. One example is CECOMP SpA, member of the Italian Automotive Association, who has become a world market leader for its style development, show cars, and prototypes. This Turin-based company is deeply rooted in its territory, which is the district of Italian automotive design par excellence. Backed by over forty years of experience, CECOMP has become a testimonial of Italian excellence, technological innovation, and creativity 4.0. At a time of important transformation, CECOMP has embraced the fourth industrial revolution, integrating new technological solutions into its know-how and processes and implementing robotic applications. The plant in Piobesi Torinese – the smart factory for the machining of aluminium components inaugurated in 2017 – is a perfect example. Here interconnection, automation, and real-time product traceability ensure the highest quality standards while reducing production time and risks of error in the various processes, which translates into an overall increase in productivity. CECOMP’s Smart Factory model has led to the company’s growth, reliability, and improved credibility in international markets, as well as to its increased workforce. Human resources play a fundamental role in the group’s growth through requalification and the integration of new professional figures for the digital transformation process.

Produform is another virtuous Italian company operating in the automotive industry. The company was established in 1998 and specialises in the development of plastic and metal items through rapid prototyping, the rapid production of small series and pilot moulds for experimental products. The company uses cutting-edge technologies during every stage of the process. Its latest additions in terms of Industry 4.0 are the CNC turning technologies and Selective laser melting for manufacturing moulds. Produform’s investments in innovation have helped increase productivity by up to 40% while decreasing the number of nonconforming pieces and aesthetic defects of moulded parts. All this has led to the full digitisation of the production process.

Another company that is embracing Industry 4.0 is Skorpion Engineering, which was established in the 2000s as a pioneer in the use of additive manufacturing technologies. Over the years, it has become a reliable partner to transform any design into a product, thanks to its experience in prototyping and pre-series and the combination of innovative additive manufacturing and traditional prototyping techniques. Additive manufacturing allows spare parts to be manufactured quickly and only when needed, thereby preventing material waste. SLA, SLS, DMLS, FDM, and Objet are only some of the rapid prototyping technologies that Skorpion Engineering uses for its innovative projects carried out in collaboration with international car manufacturers.

All these companies have taken the road to change. These and other stories and testimonials will be at MECSPE in March, the biggest event dedicated to innovation in the manufacturing industry, now at its 18th edition. 12 themed halls will provide an overview of the materials, machines and technologies, and will include unique initiatives, such as the Digital Factory 4.0. Visitors will have the chance to take a look at how a smart factory works and the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in the various sectors. The Digital Factory Hall (Pav. 6) will focus on the factory of the future and the smart products that can reduce production time and costs while speeding up processes: IT, industrial sensors, cloud manufacturing, automatic identification systems (RFID – NFC Near Field Communication), and software and machines that can communicate wirelessly through the Internet of Things.

MECSPE (FIERE DI PARMA, 28-30 MARCH 2019)
Now in its 18th year, MECSPE is the international fair for technology and innovation, and the point of reference for the manufacturing sector.
The numbers for MECSPE 2018: 110,000 m2 of exhibition space, 53,442 visitors,  2,260 companies present, 58 training moments, 34 workplace islands and demonstration units, 12 themed salons and 5 high quality squares.

MECSPE Halls

Machines and tools – machine tools, tool and equipment; Digital Factory – information technologies for intelligent factory management; Motek Italy – factory automation; Power Drive – Systems- Parts – Mechatronics; Control Italy – metrology and quality control; Logistics – systems for logistic management, machines and equipment; Mechanical Subcontracting – subcontracting of industrial processing; Electronic Subcontracting – design, electronic processing, parts and accessories; Eurostampi, Machines and plastic subcontracting – moulds and moulding; the processing of plastic materials from rubber and composites; Additive Manufacturing – rapid prototyping and 3D printing; Processing and Finishing – machines and installations for processing and finishing of surfaces; Non-ferrous materials and alloys – aluminium, titanium, magnesium.

The stages for 2018/2019 of the “MECSPE WORKSHOPS FOR DIGITAL MANUFACTURING, The Italian approach to Industry 4.0”
The touring events continue  for Senaf, created with the aim of travelling across the strategic areas that are aiming to adhere to the national plan for Industry 4.0. The new talks will bring together entrepreneurs and associations in Brescia, on 21 September, with the focus on “General Mechanics”. This will be followed by Turin, on 29 October, dedicated to “Automotive”; Catania, in December, on “Electronics” andBologna in February with the “Iot and AI” event. The tour will end in March, with the focus on the Man at the centre of Manufacturing, at the regular event in Parma, as part of MECSPE.

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