Kompetenz-Netzwerk Mechatronik in Ostbayern

© Kompetenz-Netzwerk Mechatronik in Ostbayern

The network

In 2000 the competence network mechatronics in Eastern Bavaria was founded by eight members on the basis of a cooperation agreement. Meanwhile, the network consists of over 30 companies of different branches (machine and electrical engineering, plastics and glass technology, logistics and food industry), the universities of Deggendorf, Amberg-Weiden and Regensburg, several further education institutions, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce as well as the business development corporation of the administrative district Cham, Bavaria. A project management, an executive committee and promoter boards form the network.

The technological focus

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary technology that is of central importance for many branches. The network’s companies have many very pronounced technological competencies and are market leaders in parts of their industries, such as in microsystems technology, software development, electronics, rapid prototyping, plastics technology or logistics. The main focus of the network is on training and further education, research and development and on personnel recruiting.

The unique characteristics

The cooperation of the network intensified the companies’ relations. This is guaranteed by regularly organised promoter meetings of the fields of training and further education, research and development and marketing. In these meetings joint goals and strategies are developed and implemented. Several R&D joint projects and training alliances lead to grown trust within the network. An important highlight is the development and construction of an 18 metres long and 4 metres high four-legged walking dragon robot. The dragon, weighing 11 tons, is able to carry out realistic movements as well as change countenances. Its open wings reach a span of 12 metres. A robot of this size cannot be more realistic. This is why on September 27th 2012, the robot entered the Guiness Bock of World Records.

Another important milestone is the building of the Technology Campus for Mechatronic in Cham, Bavaria. The campus opened in 2010 with 2,400 m² of laboratories and study halls. The campus is specialised in five main topics:

• Project development for companies
• Qualifying of professionals and managers
• Partnership with the Czech University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
• Science
• Student’s laboratory

A technology centre takes care of the handling of research contracts as well as the businesses in the region. Two professors, four laboratory engineers and two engineers are in charge of the centre.

One important part of the network’s service is innovation management. Annually, innovation workshops are held by the project management in co-operation with innovation advisory and transfer institutions. Through lectures, company tours and presentations of good practice examples the businesses in the network are informed of specific possibilities of joint development of product, service and process innovation. There, the regional exchange of experience of SME’s lies in the centre, but also the exchange between SME’s, large businesses and university research institutions.