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Smart, Sustainable Manufacturing: EU Research Drives Revolution in Machine Tools, Robots and Automation

October 07, 2003

WHEN?        Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 October 2003

WHERE?        EMO Fair, Milan, Italy (22/10)
        European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra (optional extension 23/10)

WHAT?         Special press briefing on Sustainable and Flexible Manufacturing

WHO?        Philippe Busquin, EU Research Commissioner
        Roberto Formigoni, President, Regione Lombardia
        Dante Speroni, Vice-President CECIMO

The technology-driven renaissance in European manufacturing will be the focus of a special press briefing organised by the European Commission on 22 October 2003, in cooperation with CECIMO/UCIMU in the context of the EMO Fair in Milan. EMO is the world's leading trade event for the machine tools, robots and automation industries, and provides a prime venue to present the contribution of EU Research in support of the manufacturing industry.

The briefing will present a selection of cutting-edge EU-funded projects for flexible and sustainable manufacturing. It will also outline the current work towards a European strategic research agenda in manufacturing technologies, and introduce the Manufacturing Technology Action Plan (MATAP) which will be formally presented later this year. In addition to this press briefing, an optional extension to the nearby European Commission's Joint Research Centre at Ispra on 23 October will allow journalists to visit its world-class laboratories and discover exciting research in related areas such as nanotechnologies, measurements and testing and advanced engineering technologies.

Taking part in the briefing will be EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, Roberto Formigoni, President of Regione Lombardia, Dante Speroni, Vice-President of CECIMO (European Committee for Cooperation in the Machine Tool Industries, co-organiser of the 2003 EMO Fair with UCIMU, the Italian Association of Machine Tools, Robots & Automation Manufacturers), and researchers and innovators.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PRESS:

Journalists will be offered a comprehensive and highly informative package, with presentations, visits of research installations and commercial applications, and ample opportunities to discuss with policy makers, researchers and industry leaders. The programme will include:

1.   An update on EU research priorities, on joint EU-industry initiatives, and on the key role of EU regions such as Lombardia in industrial research.

2.   A presentation of cutting-edge EU-funded research projects. These will focus on:

 EU manufacturing network adds value to research. In a highly competitive global economy, business success depends on an ability to absorb the latest technology and quickly respond to the demand for increasingly customised products and solutions at competitive prices. The MANTYS network promotes cross-sectoral information exchange to boost technological innovation in manufacturing by EU enterprises and institutions. It provides a platform for EU researchers and industry to exchange views and results in all aspects of manufacturing.

 Dry machining solution for greener automotive production. Widespread concern for the environment and human health has deep implications for industrial mass-manufacturing operations, such as the production of automotive components. ECOSYSTEMS develops new, more flexible machine concepts, components, systems and tools to reduce the environmental impact for medium or large batch production of mechanical components, particularly with difficult to cut materials.

 Parallel kinematic technology set to win machine tool market. Parallel kinematic (PK) technology offers faster, more flexible, more accurate and less costly alternatives to conventional systems in modern machine. Of the 16 PK technology manufacturers represented at the Milan machine tool show in October 2003, nine are involved with the EU-funded MACH21 project.

3.   A visit to EMO fair. This will include a guided tour of EU-funded projects and a full afternoon free visit of this exceptional event (25 exhibition halls, 1600 exhibitors from 38 countries, over 200.000 participants).

4.   An extension to the European Commission Joint Research Centre at Ispra (optional, day 2). The JRC is the EU's scientific and technical research laboratory. Its seven research institutes, three of which are situated at Ispra, have outstanding expertise in a number of key areas and world-class facilities to carry out a wide range of research activities for the EU and industry. The visit will include presentations, tours and demos at the European Solar Test Installation, the European Microwave Signature Laboratory and other unique facilities.

BACKGROUND: RESEARCH DELIVERS 'NEW' MANUFACTURING CONCEPTS, TOOLS AND BUSINESSES IN EUROPE
Manufacturing has a bright future in Europe as part of a competitive knowledge-based society. In particular, Europe dominates the global machine tool market, providing some 52% of the world-wide value of machine tool production in 2002 (Japan 20%, China 9.6% USA 6.1%) and is at the cutting edge of research and technological developments in that area.

Manufacturing in Europe has a key role to play in the emergence of a new sustainable economy - in terms of technical, environmental and social dimensions. Sustainable development requires continuing innovation in the underpinning products and processes, with a strong need for consistent and effective research over the next decade. It demands a new, holistic approach to production processes - linking "smart" manufacturing with product selling, product using and service activities over the whole life cycle of products. This is opening up huge potential for EU companies.

Accordingly, flexible and sustainable manufacturing is one of the key priorities of the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research - and the subject of considerable investment from industry partners in Europe. Sustainability demands;

The European Commission and its partners agree on the need for a long-term strategic research agenda and action plan to manage the transition of Europe's manufacturing industry, and ensure that the EU remains world leader in this area over the next decade. Similar strategic research agendas have already been successfully implemented in areas such as aerospace, surface transport, the chemical industry and hydrogen/fuel cells. The aims of the forthcoming Manufacturing Technology Action Plan (MATAP) will be presented at the briefing, ahead of its formal launch at the conference 'European Manufacturing of the Future: the role of Research for EU World Leadership' organised by the EU in Milan on 1-2 December.

European Commission, Research Directorate