Our goal: sustainable improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through digital innovations and intelligent system design. Downtime as a Major Cost Factor in Industry The joint study reveals a sobering reality in German industry: 94% of surveyed companies experience at least one unplanned production stop per month, with an average duration of 3.3 hours. The consequences are severe – just one hour of downtime can cost millions, especially in highly automated processes. The economic fallout ranges from missed delivery deadlines and increased personnel requirements to reputational damage. Common Causes of Downtime • The study identifies key causes for unexpected production stops: • Failure of machine components or IT systems • Lack of transparency on equipment condition • Delays or difficulties in spare parts procurement The result: Inefficiencies, reactive maintenance, growing pressure on technical teams – and ultimately, a drop in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). By combining intelligent sensor technology, real-time data analysis, and practical support tools, we help customers significantly reduce downtime and secure long-term process reliability. Predictive Maintenance with VeloGuard Our condition monitoring solution plays a central role in preventing unexpected breakdowns. It automatically detects typical wear patterns and continuously monitors the health of critical components through self-diagnostic tests. This eliminates the need for time-consuming troubleshooting and allows teams to address potential faults early and with precision – resulting in improved production reliability, predictable maintenance cycles, and drastically reduced downtimes. Real-Time Insights with VeloInside This digital real-time dashboard offers all key performance indicators at a glance. Availability, performance, and quality metrics are visualized within an integrated OEE dashboard, making weak points visible and enabling data-driven improvements.

Redesign Filter Control SCD10.14 At Solids, we are presenting the SCD10.14, the redesigned version of the filter control SCD10.12. It regulates the compressed air cleaning of filter elements and can also be used in filters from other manufacturers. Cleaning is performed either based on time or differential pressure (∆p). New Features: • Web interface or operator display for operating data input • Power supply 24VDC or 90–240VAC (pluggable power module) • 5 digital control outputs, compatible with PLC systems • 3 additional outputs: Network pressure N.I.O., Stop activated, Pending alarm • Analog current output, plus-side regulated • LED status indicators including active valve display • Predictive maintenance, diagnostic functions • Maintenance check via test operation button • RJ45, USB-A, RS485 system bus, SMD technology, spring clamp terminals Web Interface: Input of operating data, ∆p display, status messages, active valves, test operation, network integration. Operator Display (optional): Plug-on, operation and parameter display, test operation. Cleaning Control: Time- or ∆p-controlled, adjustable pause times, configurable switching thresholds, alarm at limit value. Control Board: Power supply 24VDC/90–240VAC, SMD technology, pluggable spring clamp terminals, LED status indicators, test operation button, ∆p sensor up to 800 mmWS, RJ45, USB, RS485, same mounting as SCD10.12. Digital Outputs: Short-circuit-proof valve control, diagnostics, 10 solenoid valves, additional relay for measurement line cleaning. Digital Control Outputs: 5 outputs 24VDC/100mA, compatible with PLC/MSM-5, plus 3 additional outputs. Digital Control Inputs: Low-active: Filter stop, network pressure sensor. High-active: Time control, test operation, pre-coating. Analog Outputs: 2 plus-/minus-regulated outputs. Maintenance & Diagnostics: Predictive maintenance, valve monitoring, additional diagnostic functions.

In this application, forged parts are fed onto the belt via a tipping device. The perfectly flat surface allows operators to visually inspect each component safely and reliably. This can be done either while the belt is running or by simply sliding the parts manually across the level conveying surface. What makes this possible? Our Flat Surface Belt features a unique design: the hinge eyes are positioned on the underside, creating a continuous, even top surface. The result is a stable platform that significantly enhances both handling and inspection processes. Key Advantages Exceptional robustness, comparable to our heavy-duty belts – ideal for demanding industrial environments. Perfectly flat conveying surface for stable, upright transport and effortless manual repositioning of components. Improved process efficiency, making operator tasks easier while increasing overall process reliability. With this enhancement, we are expanding the versatility and practical applicability of our conveyor belt portfolio.

Flexicon (Europe) expanded their presence in Germany with a new sales office here to provide factory-direct service to customers throughout Southern Germany, the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland, and Austria, it was announced by Keith Bourton, Managing Director, Flexicon (Europe). The new location provides technical sales and application engineering services across all industries in which bulk solid materials are conveyed, discharged, filled, conditioned, dosed, screened, weighed, batched, packaged or otherwise processed. Bernhard Bass, Regional Sales Manager for the operation, will be responsible for relationship building with plant managers, engineers and other bulk handling equipment specifiers, drawing upon 20 years of bulk handling experience and factory-direct training at Flexicon headquarters. "Stuttgart personnel will also have full access to Flexicon's engineering resources derived from over 25,000 installations worldwide which, together with our Lifetime Performance Guarantee, can take the risk out of purchasing bulk handling equipment and systems," notes Mr. Bourton. Flexicon is a leading producer of bulk handling equipment offered throughout Europe since 1974. The company established a European manufacturing and sales office in Kent, U.K. in 1989, and in 2002 expanded capacity by 50 percent with the purchase of an adjacent facility. In 2012, the operation moved to a larger campus that consolidated and increased manufacturing and administrative space. Demand across Europe led to the opening of factory-direct sales offices in Spain in 2015; the first German office in 2016; France in 2019, and now the new Stuttgart office. For information contact Flexicon (Europe) Ltd. +49 162 697 8949, vertrieb@flexiconeurope.de, www.flexicondeutschland.de

The initial situation: Critical wear and production risk. During an inspection of the customer's plant, a critical condition was discovered on the concrete discharge hopper. It was not only completely worn out, but the transition area to the discharge hose was virtually "sealed over" by concrete deposits. This condition not only led to significant losses in material discharge efficiency but also posed a high risk of unplanned production downtime. It was clear that urgent action was required, demanding both rapid intervention and comprehensive technical expertise. After carefully dismantling the concrete discharge, our assembly team was able to examine the first hopper in detail. Despite the extensive wear, it was possible to produce a precise and perfectly fitting replica. This reconstruction ensures that the original functionality and geometric specifications of the hopper have been exactly restored, which is essential for a smooth material flow. However, the real challenge and the highlight of the project was the second hopper. Its degree of wear was so extreme that a simple copy or repair was no longer an option. A complete redesign was required on-site at the customer's location. Our experienced assembly team mastered this complex task thanks to their expertise and flexible approach. The newly designed hopper was then lined with our high-performance PUCEST wear plates. This lining, made from our specialized, highly abrasion-resistant material, offers maximum protection against the abrasive properties of the concrete. As the final step to complete the system, a matching PUCEST discharge hose was also installed. This completes the concrete discharge and ensures smooth and wear-resistant material flow.

The new ePKL from NetterVibration is launched. An in-house patented development now complements the established PKL series. NetterVibration looks back on a 70-year history over which time they have marketed a particularly wide range of vibration technology for a variety of industrial requirements - including hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic devices, for which the company is considered a market leader. The PKL series includes tried-and-tested impactors, tailored to a wide range of customer needs. The PKL series generate impacts by means of a compressed air driven piston which simulates a hammer strike, this makes it possible to loosen hard-to-remove adhesions on vessel walls, pipes, and containers in the majority industrial environments. The new ePKL which is electrically driven, can be used in areas where a compressed air supply is not available or preferred. The ePKL can be used as a mobile unit and run off a rechargeable battery, meaning even at locations without a mains power supply, the ePKL can be easily installed (e.g., at silos located at a distance, or in farm fields). The ePKL is just as compact, robust as the corresponding pneumatic models. When using renewable energy, the ePKL helps with the drive to be more sustainable. The control system can be easily integrated into modern "Industry 4.0" processes, for example, the rapper sequence can be optimised to operate on container fill levels or similar measurement, resulting in energy savings.

For many years the big bag is one of the most used transport containers for the different types of bulks. The filling and emptying as well as the dust-free disposal of the emptied big bags is one of the main-competences of the Emde Automation GmbH. At the beginning of the Emptying the big bag is posted through a lock system into the hanging position. The 4 loops of the big bag are hung in into the special crossbar by the operator. After the hanging-in process, the automatic modus is started and the big bag is lifted into the emptying position by an electric-chain hoist. By putting it on an emptying station the big bag floor is almost cut fiber free. An intermediate container picks up the complete big bag content. The product is promoted into the production process via a feeding – system. In the next step, the empty big bag is transported to the drop position of the big bag compressor and is automatically released from the crossbar. This is made via the opening (swinging) of the load hooks. The empty big bag falls into the big bag compactor is detected by the digressively and conically formed compressor screw and compressed into a press bag (big bag). By evaluating the emptying cycles are shown to the operator a necessary change of the press bag. The electric chain hoist with traverse then moves back into the suspension position and the process starts again. Due to the optimized sequence steps, the total process time takes only 3.5 minutes. The electric chain hoist is connected to the respective functional positions by means of a path coding system. A very high-performance filter system ensures dust removal of the system. At the crucial emission sources, the dust is extracted safely and efficiently. Due to the system layout, almost dust-free handling can be ensured.

The fully automatic EMDE Big Bag filling system works e.g. with a pre-weighing system, which is equipped with a weighing hopper suspended from the silo ceiling. The maximum useful content of this weighing hopper is 2,000 kg and has proven itself over the years. The interaction of this pre-weighing system and the fast actuators of the machine and the robot enables to achieve a cycle time of 90 seconds per big bag. That means every 90 seconds a filled, calibrated and tightly closed big bag leaves the conveyor roller of the filling system, including a product label with information about the batch, weight and other product-specific data. The powerful camera system recognizes the position and orientation of the empty big bag within a part of a second and provides the robot with the necessary coordinates to pick it up. The robot purposefully positions our self-developed gripping system onto the empty big bag so that it can be picked up safely. Eight different sensors detect and monitor the position of the big bag in the robot gripper and, in the event of a fault, ensure that a faulty big bag is thrown away reliably. With the help of the dynamically controlled, electrical linear axes of the robot gripper, the big bag is then transferred to the load hook into the filling station. As a result, the big bag, as if hung in by the operator, hangs on four automatic pneumatic load hooks, which have also been used in the EMDE standard big bag filling systems for years. The remaining process steps are analogous to manual big bag filling. Only the automatic closing system of the big bags makes a difference. Using a clip-closing apparatus, as it is often used in a smaller scale in the sausage industry, the big bag gets tightly closed.

Individually adjusted coating parameters By determining the quality of the end product, particle coating is a critical step in many manufacturing processes. To achieve optimum results, it is essential to select the most suitable approach and, to do this, the specific properties of the raw materials, the required functionality of the coating and the intended application must all be considered.

With this surge comes an increased demand for Carbon Black, a crucial component in modern lithium-ion batteries. Our VeloVac XL vacuum packer revolutionizes the game by securely bagging this ultra-light material dust-free and in massive quantities. Get ready for a new era in battery production! 🔋

As the German representative of MC2, we are your contact for high-quality, high-performance mixing technology. MC2 develops and produces innovative mixing systems for a wide variety of industrial applications and stands for precision, efficiency, and reliability. The portfolio includes plowshare mixers, belt mixers, and other horizontally operating mixing systems for powders, granules, fibers, and pasty products. These systems are suitable for industries such as food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, building materials, environmental technology, and many other sectors where homogeneous and reproducible mixing results are crucial. From individual design and integration into existing production lines to service and support, we provide our customers with comprehensive support. Our goal is always to make processes more economical, safer, and more efficient. Visit us at the trade fair and discover how modern mixing technology can sustainably optimize your production.

The DI MATTEO Group is a renowned, family-owned company based in Beckum, Germany, specialising in innovative solutions in the field of bulk material handling. With years of experience and a deep understanding of industry requirements, DI MATTEO Group provides customised and efficient solutions for various applications. Our expertise spans across multiple industries, including the cement industry, wood and biomass industry, waste management, and more. We take pride in combining state-of-the-art technology with precise engineering to meet the highest standards and enhance our clients' productivity. Our dedicated team of experts continually works to develop innovative solutions that address both current and future industry challenges. By closely collaborating with our clients, we ensure that each solution is perfectly tailored to their specific needs. At DI MATTEO Group, customer satisfaction is paramount. We strive to build long-term partnerships and achieve sustainable success together.

A promising area of application for the shock wave process is the recycling of composite materials and composites such as photovoltaic modules or laminated safety glass. The high comminution selectivity of the technology enables targeted and therefore more efficient separation of the material composite at the interface between glass, semiconductor and polymer film. As a result, the valuable front glass can be recovered and recycled unmixed. On the other hand, shock wave comminution enables the solar cell material to be liberated. Subsequent recovery steps can thus be simplified or substituted. • Separation of glass, metal and polymer fractions • Recovery of a high-purity glass fraction, low fines content • Recovery of a semiconductor-rich fraction • Decoating of the polymer film • Application examples: all types of solar modules, laminated safety glass • Freely scalable system concept through to customised complete systems

Kurz Silosysteme has been awarded the contract to supply 58 large-capacity bolted silos for rock processing at the Gotthard tunnel. The capacity of the individual silos is up to approx. 2,000 tonnes. The Gotthard road tunnel, one of the most important road links through the Alps, is getting on in years and needs a comprehensive overhaul. With a length of 17 kilometres, the tunnel is the fourth longest in the world and the longest road tunnel in the Alps. A second tube is being built so that the route can remain open during the renovation. It is expected to be in operation from 2030. The next step is to repair the first tube. Both tunnels should then be open to traffic again from 2033.