"Green Automation" is taking shape. Numerous exhibitors are professing their faith in environmentally compatible product and energy generation for the future at Automatica 2010. Numerous products also have the Green Automation label, which points out especially resource-saving operations with and through automation technology. Contribute to shaping a world worth living in with automation technologies - the initiative "Green Automation", which was created by Automatica, the leading international trade fair for automation and mechatronics, together with VDMA Robotics + Automation and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA). In Green Automation, automation technology is considered in itself as a consumer of resources, and a great deal of value is placed on saving energy. On the other hand, automation technology is used for manufacturing environmentally compatible, resource-saving products. After all, what is the use of creative concepts for lightweight construction, drives that generate little CO2, environmentally compatible energy generation and lots more if these only function in test models and cannot be applied profitably in large series?

Green Automation Highlights at Automatica
Visions and large projects such as solar power plants attract attention and fill a wide-range of people with enthusiasm. However, AUTOMATICA is already pointing out many smaller, already available Green Automation solutions. With special labels on stands, exhibitors are calling attention to products that fulfil Green Automation requirements.
In automation technology, reduction of energy consumption and size with increasing output at the same time are the three most well known strategies for protecting the environment. There are already energy-saving options in the choice of the processor concept within machine vision in the development of intelligent cameras and vision sensors with high computing power. The intelligent camera solution mvBlueLYNX-X from Matrix Vision, Oppenweiler, provides a lot of performance per watt and volume. Its bets on the OMAPTM 3-processor series from Texas Instruments, which only needs maximum 5 watts under a full load, while other systems typically need up to 15 watts. The ARM processors not only need less power than others, their size is also smaller. The mvBlueLYNX-X is only 85 x 55 x 35 mm (H x W x D) without lens.

Machine vision systems also play a significant role in solar technology. For example, Isra Vision, Darmstadt, developed the machine vision system 3D-Solscan, which promises higher energy yields via its camera-based 3D in-line inspection of solar parabolic mirrors. The system is normally used as an in-line system in mirror production and thereby sets new standards with respect to preciseness. The cycle time for a complete mirror is only about 20 s. The camera-based inspection system is substantially faster than laser technology, which typically only achieves an inspection grid of 50 mm at a lower speed.

On the other hand, wind power is the main topic for VMT of the Pepperl + Fuchs Group, Mannheim. The company has developed a complete system for robot line guidance during smoothing and lacquering wind turbine blades. The rotor blades are 70 meters long and were previously cleaned and lacquered by hand. Two robots are mounted each on two linear axes for automating the process. One handles cleaning the blade using a sandblasting vacuum system, and the other is responsible for lacquering. The online measurements are made by two laser run-time measurement systems, which are mounted fixed on the cleaning robots. As a result, the robot line can be adapted to the torsion and deflection of the blade. The VMT system also ensures optimum production quality when there are small shape tolerances, low set-up, operation and maintenance costs as well as complete process control and documentation.

When it is a question of handling wafers and finished solar cells, Schunk, Lauffen, provides appropriate solutions such as the highly dynamic solar cell gripper SZG. It is extremely fast and process-reliable. It completes a transport cycle of 550 mm including inspection using a camera system and return path in a cycle time shorter than one second. As a result, it defines a new efficiency class in solar cell production.

Sustainable business operations are a central aspect of the initiative "Green Automation", because considerable amounts of energy can be saved and resources used more efficiently using modern automation. The life cycle cost calculation (LCC) serves for concrete calculation of long-term savings. VDMA developed the standardisation sheet 34160 for this a few years ago, which contains all cost components that a mechanical engineer should think about in a life cycle cost calculation. Now the professional association VDMA Robotik + Automation has developed a new Excel-based calculation model specifically for automation specialists based on that calculation. To practice use of this tool, VDMA is offering workshops the whole day in the "LCC Know-How Lounge" in Hall B1 at Automatica on 11 June 2010. They each last 90 minutes and start at 9.30 a.m., 12 noon and 2.30 p.m. Interested persons must register in advance and will receive registration confirmation.

"Green Automation" is also a central aspect at the Automatica Forum, which is taking place in Hall B1 on all four trade fair days under the motto "Automation in Dialogue". Automation topics will be discussed covering all user industries in panel discussions and talks. Top-rate speakers from business and research will hold the talks. The program of talks on 10 June deals with the topic of new energy sources and green automation. For example, Erhard Schletterer, Managing Director of LiTec Battery GmbH, will provides insights into "How you build lithium-ion batteries" and Andreas Blochel, Production Manager of Solarfabrik AG, will explain the topic of "Automated Solar Production" to interested trade fair visitors.