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The Lab Network Industrie 4.0 (LNI4.0) is a German association founded by companies linked to Plattform Industrie 4.0 in cooperation with the Bitkom, VDMA and ZVEI federations. It aims at helping the German medium-sized sector play a leading role in global digitization. This experimental network makes it possible to test new technologies, innovations and business models in the environment of Industry 4.0 and to examine their economic feasibility before their launch on the market. In addition, Read more…

An agile, iterative approach has been chosen in order to minimise risks and to quickly demonstrate the potential of the concepts that are conceived, studied and developed in the Lab. The project is broken down into three 5-step iterations: Analysis and Specification Dsign Implementation Testing and Approval User Feedback and Improvement The deliverables of the three iterations take the form of open-ended, upgradable prototypes: Iteration 1: validation prototype: micro-factory concept comprising functional blocks that are Read more…

As alarm bells are rung about climate change, more and more people are waking up to the environmental challenges we face. The current generation were born with smartphones in their hands and are no strangers to “Fab Labs” – open places where they can fabricate their own products on demand and thwart planned obsolescence. The MicroLean Lab must take into account the trends embodied by this generation and view these challenges and generational changes as Read more…

Naturally, for businesses who produce physical objects, Industry 4.0 requires them to get to grips with a whole new culture, the digital one. The digital culture can be harnessed to: interconnect stakeholders within value chains, distribute relevant information through these chains, significantly improve the availability of manufacturing resources through the Internet of Things and augmented intelligence, optimise resources and supply chains intelligently , develop new sources of income in the form of associated services, while Read more…

Throughout two centuries of industrialisation, the prevailing strategy has been to imagine what the end user might consume, to overproduce stock at all stages of manufacturing and distribution, and to push the products towards potential customers with copious advertising and promotion. The concepts of digitalisation that have swept through businesses in recent years under what is called “Industry 4.0” have certainly led to a rethink of manufacturing processes. This is particularly true for products with Read more…