European Decentralized Technology Center: Interrelated production steps are usually handled separately"

Dr. FeIipe Wolf-Fabris of the European Decentralized Technology Centre (EZD) says automation through online signation, production monitoring and an overview of all process steps are topics to focus on when optimizing production processes. Our interview.
what are your current trends in paint and coating production technology?
one of the trends I'm seeing right now is production monitoring, which can be performed in China, for example, through an online
system
.
, this is generally only applicable to the production process and not to final inspection.
of new online subtring methods in the sub-micron and nano-ranges is particularly high.
this context, we and several partners have developed online measurement systems based on dynamic light scattering.
, analytical methods and metrology in the production of nanostructure systems are becoming more and more important.
this is the reason behind the establishment of the Nanoanalytics and Metrology in Production network (NAMIP, where EZD is a founding member. There is also a growing trend to support line flexibility.
FeIipe Wolf-Fabris, from the European Centre for Decentralized Technology (EZD),
What current trends have you observed in the decentralized domain?
we are looking at a trend that is taking into account the various dispersal processes of the product.
of the companies we work with have different process steps in the production process, which are interrelated but usually handled separately.
, it's important to focus on the whole decentralization process.
improvements in pre-dispersion can have a very positive impact on fine dispersion.
this provides us with a lot of leverage to improve the energy efficiency of the entire dispersion process.
addition, we are being asked more and more about more precisely determining the end of the decentralized process.
this is another way to save energy for production.
do you think is one of the biggest challenges facing decentralized technology today?
from my point of view, the biggest challenge is connecting and "communicating" the correct online signation system to the production line. In particular, measurement parameters must always be determined by the product, i.e. we have a long way to go from the plug-and-play concept of online signation.
I also see another major challenge in evaluating the dispersion method, which always depends on the product, i.e. formulation, viscosity, initial size, target fineness, etc.
automation play in production technology?
ensures higher product quality because fixed processes are always performed in the same way.
addition, working conditions for employees in production have become safer, especially with regard to the use of hazardous substances.
is necessary for the automation of production technology, the recording of systems and measurement variables, which significantly improves the traceability of production.