Great success for TIG at Chinaplas 2018 Industrie 4.0 transformiert China in die Zukunft

Technische Informationssysteme (TIG) from Rankweil, Austria, presented at this year's Chinaplas its new product portfolio. It ranges from the low-cost entry-level solution TIG 2go via the well-established MES system "authentig" to an extensive and location-independent big-data solution. TIG accompanies and supports its customers from the first initiative to the complete conversion into a smart factory and thus is met with great interest in China.

As usual, the 32nd edition of the world's second largest plastics fair once again broke all records. This year's Shanghai edition of Chinaplas was held for the first time in the world's largest building complex — the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao. Here the fair occupied an exhibition area of approximately 340,000 m², some 100,000 m² more than at the last event. 3,948 exhibitors from 40 countries were present in the gigantic area.

China is evolving from an extended workbench of western companies to a supplier of high-quality components and complete solutions. Rising wage and operating costs are forcing Chinese companies to focus more on efficiency and productivity. Thus, the key topic "Industry 4.0" has now arrived in China too.

"Chinese companies are increasingly investing in state-of-the-art machine technology and software solutions," explains Gerold Brunner, CEO of TIG China. "The interest of the visitors was tremendous and we had many exciting conversations. With our MES solution, intelligent networking and cross-interface integration of machines we are optimally positioned for industry 4.0."

Smart factory becomes reality

Through the use of TIG software solutions, the smart factory becomes reality. The MES software "authentig" makes the intelligent networking of employees, storage systems, machine components and robot units possible. Active machine communication simplifies and automates the value creation process. The extensive information from factory planning and operation is flexible and easily scalable and can be distributed in a task-oriented manner. An innovative driver technology ensures a trouble-free machine connection. The "authentig" MES from TIG convinces with a modern design and a simple and intuitive user interface.

TIG 2go – the easy path to Industry 4.0

With TIG 2go, TIG introduced a simple, worldwide access to all connected machines. As a solution provider, TIG provides the cloud-based infrastructure for an online overview of all machines that are part of the installation—regardless of their physical location. The focus is entirely on productivity and process data.

TIG authentig subscription – the new license model

The new licensing model "TIG authentig subscription" offers another simple and cost-effective way to your own manufacturing execution system. It contains everything manufacturers need to know about their injection molding machines. Thanks to the low initial investment (cost per machine and year, including maintenance), the "TIG authentig subscription" model guarantees a fast return on investment.

Focal point: "smart production – solutions"

At the 3rd VDMA Conference on Industry 4.0, held during Chinaplas, solution providers presented practical applications. In the specialist presentations, TIG was prominently represented as technology partner of iPlast4.0 and ENGEL Austria. The team of experts at iPlast4.0, official partner of TIG, has been relying on software solutions from Rankweil since 2017 to actively support injection molding companies throughout Asia in their transformation to smart factory. ENGEL Austria, in cooperation with the automotive supplier ZKW, Dalian, China, has presented successful measures to increase production and efficiency. TIG is a long-term supplier to ZKW in the field of MES solutions.

After the exciting days at the fair, Gerold Brunner is optimistic about the future: "The focus in the coming years will be on providing market-specific solutions and local support. TIG will strengthen its focus on China and is currently expanding the sales and service infrastructure of its Shenzhen-based TIG China branch."