The Institute of Databases and Information Systems (DBIS) continues its research collaboration with the market leader in pharmaceutical packaging machines, Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, and gives Uhlmann further support on its way to the digital future. Uhlmann will fund a DBIS PhD position for another year, which will be filled with Klaus Kammerer. Klaus has been involved in the Industry 4.0 project with Uhlmann from the beginning and is currently working on his PhD project „Context-adaptive Process Execution in Industrial Environments“.

Backgrounds

More than 8000 machines from Uhlmann are used in more than 80 countries worldwide to package blisters, bottles and cartons. In this process, tablets are packed in blisters, blisters in folding boxes, folding boxes in cartons, and, finally, cartons on pallets.  During packaging, the numerous sensors and actuators of the machines, which are networked in a packaging line, produce huge amounts of raw data in a millisecond cycle. In turn, this raises the challenge of utilizing the flood of production and sensor data for deriving accurate business information. „DBIS has an excellent track record in business process automation and knows how to digitize the processes along a packaging line. When executing the processes during production, big event streams and large amounts of data are produced, which need to be interpreted in the respective process context – an area in which DBIS is among the world-leading research institutes“ explains DBIS director <link en in iui-dbis team manfred-reichert internal link current>Prof. Dr. Manfred Reichert.

„We are always interested in identifying killer applications for the technologies developed in our research projects. The exchange with a regional industrial partner like Uhlmann provides deep insights into practical demands and real-world challenges“ emphasizes <link en in iui-dbis team manfred-reichert internal link current>Professor Reichert. On the other hand, Uhlmann is convinced of the long-term collaboration with Ulm University: „The cooperation with experts and students from Ulm University complements our competencies in an optimal way. The cooperation not only allows us to benefit from the unique knowledge of the academic experts, but also gives us the opportunity to get into touch with motivated students who might be interested in working for Uhlmann after their graduation“ explains Jörg Riekenbrauck, Head of Advance Development at Uhlmann.

For their students, DBIS additionally provides a miniature factory that makes them acquaint with with the digitization of factories and their processes.