TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING OF THE FUTURE

For four days, B&R provided on-site support to three teams from Germany, Italy, and India, along with Patrick Haberstroh, the Head of B&R’s Education Network (far right).

4 days of innovation and sustainability

Under the guidance of Kempten and Bremerhaven universities (both in Germany), one of B&R’s teams designed a machine that crushes used PET bottles, melts them, and then extrudes them into filament – a plastic thread – for 3D printing. The 3D printer can then create three-dimensional building blocks from the filament.

Another team, supported by B&R, developed an intelligent solar energy module under the supervision of the University of Applied Sciences Vienna. Using data from a cloud server, the solar panels track the position of the sun to maximize energy output.

Addressing the issues of waste and labor shortages

Recycling solutions help reduce the amount of plastic waste entering oceans and landfills around the world. The Smart Green Island Makeathon is designed to inspire young people to take an interest in automation technology while encouraging them to think about sustainability. “I think the concept of a makeathon is truly fantastic,” said Patrick Haberstroh, Director of B&R’s Educational Network. “There are so many creative ideas emerging here that we really need.”

“We’ve noticed a decline in interest in technology among young people,” Haberstroh pointed out. B&R has long been committed to training and education. “It’s important for us to engage more young people in technology because industries are in urgent need of the next generation of technicians and engineers,” he added. “That’s why we are here at this event, where the goal is to create and test many innovative ideas in a short amount of time.”

Regarding the motivation of the teams, Haberstroh said: “I am always amazed by the students’ self-drive and determination to complete projects on time. The Makeathon is the perfect way to meet young talents from around the world, connect with them early on, and be inspired by their motivation.”

In addition, future engineers, programmers, and designers get a real-life experience of what it’s like to be an engineer at the Makeathon. They must work together to solve a complex task within a set time frame with an international team they have never met before. This involves overcoming not only language barriers but also cultural, emotional, and interpersonal challenges. “The experience of handling these challenges helps prepare them for similar obstacles they will face in the real workplace,” said Mr. Haberstroh.

What is a Makeathon?

A Makeathon is an interactive platform for young people who want to make a difference. The combination of “To make” and “Marathon” clearly reflects the goal of this creative format: teams of talented young individuals develop innovative concepts and prototypes in a short amount of time. The focus is on working together to complete tasks, with companies providing hardware, software, and expertise.

B&R is an innovative automation company headquartered in Austria with offices worldwide. On July 6, 2017, B&R became a business unit of the ABB Group. As a global leader in industrial automation, B&R combines cutting-edge technology with advanced engineering to offer customers in nearly every industry complete solutions for machine and factory automation, motion control, HMI (Human-Machine Interface), and integrated safety technology. With industrial IoT communication standards like OPC UA, POWERLINK, and openSAFETY, along with the powerful Automation Studio software development environment, B&R continuously redefines the future of automation engineering. A spirit of innovation keeps B&R at the forefront of industrial automation, driven by a commitment to simplify processes and exceed customer expectations.

For more information, please visit: www.br-automation.com

Source: https://www.br-automation.com/en/about-us/press-room/technology-and-engineers-of-tomorrow-13-03-2023/