Looking back: the Machine Construction event of 2023: innovating with data

It is still early when I cross the threshold of the 1931 Congress Center 's-Hertogenbosch. The first people trickle in and the networking begins. Like on a normal office day with the first cup of coffee, but on this morning including Bossche bollen, a juice bar and a variety of people from mechanical engineering.

Just before I proceed to the opening speech of plenary speaker Matthijs Varwijk, I speak to a fellow visitor. “As someone with a small production company, I am the odd one out here. Nevertheless, this event will hopefully inspire me to the next important innovation in mechanical engineering.” Expectations are high; the tone has been set.

Curious and open to the day
During the opening session we see a slide with a child looking in wonder at a machine. “This is a photo of my colleague's son,” says Matthijs Varwijk, business developer robotization in logistics at AWL. “He looks curiously and openly at what lies before him. I want to convey that attitude to all visitors today: look at innovation in data-driven working in this way.”

'People are data-driven'
I continue my way to the first reading. It is titled: No longer blind: a look at the future of mechanical engineering. The room is full. When the last seat is occupied, Johan Kesteloot (captic representative) begins his story. “Don't get into strangers' cars, our parents used to say. And yet today we get into an Uber.” People around me nod in agreement.

“But why are we doing this?” he continues his story. “Because we have reviews and ratings – data – at our disposal. We humans work data-driven.” As a modern organization you cannot lag behind, according to Johan. “Data is the new gold to optimize your business processes,” he concludes the session.

The next lecture from my program
I view my personal program in the FHI app. This morning on the train I indicated with an asterisk which topics and speakers I wanted to see today. Bas Verbunt, business development manager at PML Xpert, was among them. He takes me in smart customization, specifically in combining configure to order (CTO) and engineering to order (ETO), and how you can manage customization smartly towards your customer.

Visitors from all over
During the break I meet an acquaintance. This happens a lot to others today. Next to me in the room, two other visitors just met each other by chance: “What a coincidence: we also saw each other at a previous event.” Here in Den Bosch it is a breeding ground for interesting encounters, I think. The perfect way to expand and maintain your business network.

My well-known fellow visitor explains why he came to the event. “Knowing the latest techniques in the field of automation is important in my profession.” He and his colleague come from education: the training for engineering technician level 4, at MBORijnland in Leiden. “I teach my lessons with knowledge of the latest technologies. This is also the place to recruit companies that want to work with us, through guest lectures, internships and teaching materials.”

Good advice is half the battle
Time for the next interesting lecture. Kumar Gauravbansal (Ranpak, manufacturer of packaging machines) and Bert-Jan Reusink (Duranmatic, software developer) talk about the use of production data in packaging machines. Start small is their first piece of advice. “If you dream too big, you won't get a project started,” says Kumar. “For example, start collecting data for basic insights predictive maintenance.”

“Starting small will take you further than dreaming big” – Kumar Gauravbansal

At the end of the session it is time for questions. “Why is starting big the reason projects fail?” is the first question. Kumar answers: “Customers often want to know everything immediately; they collect so much data that they drown in it. So don't just log everything, but try to tackle one recognizable problem first.” It appears to be a recognizable stumbling block for the machine builder who wants to analyze and optimize his machine.

As I walk out the door at the end of the day, my first meeting this morning flashes through my mind. Inspiration for the next groundbreaking data innovation: that will undoubtedly be what all my fellow visitors will take home today.