IPA: Reaping digital fruits

Statements about the potential and benefits of digitization are difficult due to the lack of benchmark operations. The SmARtPlaS research project has shown that the effort is worthwhile while whetting the appetite for more.

The electroplating industry, which is dominated by medium-sized companies, is under pressure: on the one hand because of high energy prices, but also because more and more documentation obligations are arising in the course of implementing the European chemicals regulation REACH. In addition, customers are demanding more process transparency and documentation. Digitization offers promising options for approaching these tasks constructively - but little has actually been implemented in the area of electroplating technology to date. In order to provide supportive impulses, eight partners - university and research institutes, coaters and industrial partners - launched the SmARtPlaS project. The aim was to identify new ways of optimizing the operation and maintenance of electroplating plants. The focus was also on smart services and the use of augmented reality technologies.

Read the full article in MO 6-7-2023 or online here!