Successful project: MiniTec supports the Kaiserslautern Master Craftsman School with a modern workstation system for training. In the picture (from left to right): Frank Stattaus, Andreas Hammen, three students as well as Dirk Massonne and Steffen Hemmer.

Innovative products for automation, material flow and assembly in industrial companies are just as much a focus for the West Palatinate company MiniTec as regional commitment in social areas and the training of young people. MiniTec cooperated with the Kaiserslautern master school in a project to optimize assembly processes and has now donated a high-quality workstation system to the training company in recognition of the good cooperation.

Since its foundation 35 years ago, MiniTec has been committed to its home region. Contact with schools, universities and training institutions plays an important role here. Many of the graduates have trained at MiniTec over the years and have stayed with the company. This pays off for both sides: MiniTec is an attractive employer, but at the same time it depends on well-trained and motivated employees. The development of innovative workplace systems for assembly in industry is a core competence of MiniTec. Although automation, digitalization, and new technologies such as Industry 4.0 have permanently changed work processes on factory floors in recent decades, manual assembly is also still needed in production processes.

Learning at the assembly workplace
In addition to ergonomic workstations, MiniTec is also developing new worker assistance systems for this purpose. These combine manual activities with digital tools and at the same time simplify and optimize assembly processes. Development in this area is constantly progressing. However, innovations from the in-house think tank have to pass many practical tests before they are launched on the market. Important partners for this are also training institutions such as the master craftsmen's school in Kaiserslautern. A workstation with an assistance system was installed there, which also functioned as a learning tool for the prospective state-certified technicians specializing in production automation. One of the group's project goals was to implement the sub-steps of assembling the kit of a "Lego technology car" in the form of a flow assembly in the device software. Ultimately, the specially defined assembly instructions should thus enable the smooth assembly of the model. At the same time, the trainees were familiarized with the possibilities of digitalization in the industry as well as modern assistance systems. With these tools, the training time of (even unskilled) workers for assembly work can be significantly reduced. Manufacturing companies can thus plan and implement assembly activities within production processes more quickly and flexibly, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective production. At the same time, new opportunities open up for low-skilled or disabled people to be reintegrated into the work process. A gain for both sides.

Successful cooperation
In the course of the project with the Kaiserslautern master school, course instructors Dirk Massonne, Andreas Hammen, and principal Steffen Hemmer gained important experience that they shared with MiniTec. These insights will help the subsidiary MiniTec Smart Solutions to further optimize the system in order to soon be able to implement a market-ready assistance system in future projects. MiniTec expressed its gratitude for the good cooperation by donating the high-quality workstation system to the training facility. This way, the future master students can also work with state-of-the-art technology and are optimally prepared for the job market.