Exhibitor news

Paris (France), 27 May 2025 – Ciblex, a key player in the express small parcel transport sector and member of the Walden Express International group, has partnered with Zetes to drive a large-scale digital transformation aimed at enhancing the traceability and efficiency of its logistics operations. As it moves to integrate its entire network - including Relais Colis - Ciblex has selected ZetesMedea to digitalise and increase the reliability of the logistics flows on its docks. To further strengthen visibility, it is also deploying ZetesChronos to provide real-time delivery traceability. Ciblex operates an extensive global network of 125 branches and depots, delivering specialist express services across a range of sectors such as health, optical, automotive, industry, retail, and sensitive products. The company manages 2,500 delivery rounds daily, handling around 450,000 parcels each day. To support this high-volume, multi-sector operation, Ciblex has entrusted Zetes with the end-to-end digitalisation of its branch and depot activities, delivery workflows, and real-time tracking capabilities. To modernise dock operations, Ciblex has deployed ZetesMedea, replacing its legacy system with a latest-generation mobile solution. This upgrade delivers real-time visibility, improved label scanning, which also optimises the scanning time for complex formats, and automated data transfer, resulting in faster, more reliable dock management. In parallel, ZetesChronos, the dedicated delivery traceability solution, ensures real-time, end-to-end parcel management from dispatch to final delivery. The ePod solution, embedded in a mobile terminal, empowers the teams to efficiently manage all delivery constraints according to priority levels, business hours, and branch locations.

The CR 30H combines a high payload of 30 kg with a reach of 1,800 mm and a very high joint speed of up to 300°/s, making it ideal for fast palletising and material handling processes. Thanks to its precise repeatability, robust IP protection class and advanced motion control, this cobot is ideal for efficient, flexible and productive automation solutions.

Gain de productivité de 20 à 25% Continental gérait auparavant son processus de réception des marchandises à l'aide de scanners manuels, ce qui impliquait de nombreux efforts et prenait plusieurs minutes par palette. Pour gagner du temps et améliorer la productivité et la précision, le système d'exécution d'entrepôt ZetesMedea et un portique ImageID ont été déployés. L'un des sites pilotes de Continental se trouve à Ingolstadt. Un volume élevé de palettes y sont reçues chaque jour, avec jusqu'à 60 caisses empilées sur chaque palette. Chaque caisse est munie d'une étiquette avec un code à barres 2D qui doit être lu et comparé aux livraisons entrantes dans SAP. Interface conviviale À la réception des marchandises, les palettes sont transportées du camion au portique ImageID. Les caméras ImageID de Zetes sont installées sur les trépieds à gauche et à droite de la porte qui sépare la zone de réception des marchandises et l'entrepôt. Les autres composants consistent en un feu de signalisation et une station de travail mobile avec un scanner mobile, une imprimante d'étiquettes et un moniteur. Ce moniteur affiche l'interface utilisateur Web (Web UI) conviviale de ZetesMedea. Comparaison en temps réel avec SAP Le processus de numérisation, qui ne prend que quelques secondes, commence dès que l’opérateur du chariot élévateur dépose la palette entre les deux trépieds des caméras. Pendant le processus de numérisation, ZetesMedea ne se contente pas de lire les données de l'étiquette. Elle les compare également en temps réel avec les livraisons entrantes dans SAP. Si tout est en ordre, le feu passe au vert et Zetes ImageID déclenche l’ouverture de la porte. L'imprimante d'étiquettes génère ensuite automatiquement une étiquette de totaux avec SAP. Ingolstadt. Le retour sur investissement devrait être inférieur à deux ans.

The ConTrax® AVG Forklift impresses with its compact design and a footprint of just 830 x 2400 mm, making it perfect for narrow pallet aisles and space-saving logistics solutions. The variable width adjustment ensures automatic adjustment and guarantees high tipping stability, even at a lifting height of up to 3 m. The innovative lightweight design, which reduces the overall weight through a horizontal lift and stable arm units, lowers energy consumption. With a high payload of up to 1,500 kg, the forklift is versatile and transports even heavy loads safely. Omnidirectional maneuverability enables flexible movement in all directions, ensuring maximum maneuverability and safety. The range is complemented by inductive charging, which enables 24/7 operation. The Contrax Forklift AGV thus combines flexibility, energy efficiency, and stability – the ideal solution for modern logistics requirements.

The ConTrax® TrolleyFlex adapter from BÄR Automation is ideal for modernizing brownfield facilities. Efficient and flexible – without high investment costs. It seamlessly integrates existing trolleys into automated transport systems. Features such as height adjustment, flexible ball head coupling, and the transport of trolleys with fixed casters optimize existing processes. The coupling enables precise picking, smooth pushing, and moving, even on ramps. This significantly increases the efficiency of your logistics.

Hardware, KontronOS, CODESYS® RT, and protocols perfectly aligned Kontron Electronics AG offers a comprehensive CODESYS® control portfolio, from Raspberry Pi and ARM® i.MX platforms to Intel Atom. The range includes SOMs, controllers, IPCs, I/O modules, and HMI solutions such as Control & Web Panels with the QIWI Toolkit. Standard products support customer-specific adaptations and protocols including EtherCAT Master, CANopen, Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, EtherNet/IP, as well as IoT connectivity via OPC UA and MQTT. Attractive CODESYS® licensing completes the end-to-end solution. **Massive reduction of development time, risk, and cost** **Powerful tools** * Automation development tools * License-free toolchain * Extensive function libraries * Ready-to-use function blocks **Modern HMI development** * CODESYS WebVisu, TargetVisu, and HMI * Visualization with QIWI Toolkit * Display on Web Panels and Flat Clients * Visualization decoupled from control layer **Comprehensive support** * Regularly updated wiki * Examples and training * Documentation, images, and FAQs * Application development support by Kontron **Extensive protocol support** * EtherCAT Master * CANopen, Profinet * Modbus, EtherNet/IP * OPC UA, MQTT **Customized solutions** * Standard products as a base * Assembly variants and adaptations * Customer-specific hardware development * SOM modules and custom baseboards The Kontron platform delivers a unified, modular, and scalable control hardware and software ecosystem. Ready-to-use CODESYS® solutions, hardware and OS independence, reusable software, and comprehensive support ensure long-term investment protection and maximum flexibility for standard and customized applications.

The synergy between automation and safety is essential for ensuring operational efficiency and plant protection. In this context, the CS AM series safety modules represent a significant step forward, thanks to the introduction of new features that provide even more precise and secure control of electric motors. Sensorless speed monitoring, the ability to monitor motor operating data in real time, and more sophisticated motor control through parameterization of the modules via software: these are the main new technological advancements of the CS AM series, which bring important benefits to modern industrial applications. With CS AM safety modules, the standstill monitoring is performed by measuring the residual voltage on the motor phases, while speed monitoring is carried out by measuring the frequency of the motor phases. In applications with mechanical transmission (e.g., with belts or chains), a third measurement channel can be added by including a proximity sensor. This solution allows to detect faults on the kinematic chain like overload, rotor blockage and belt-breaking. CS AM series is available with OSSD or relay technology safety outputs. The modules with OSSD outputs are more compact, with a width of 22.5 mm, while those with relay outputs have a width of 45 mm. Three different types of CS AM safety modules are available, each dedicated to different control tasks: - CS AM1: Motor stop monitoring; - CS AM2: Motor speed and direction of rotation monitoring; - CS AM3: Combines the functionalities of CS AM1 and CS AM2. The three versions of the new CS AM safety modules are available in two variants: permanently programmed or configurable. The latter is equipped with a USB Type-C port, which allows for parameterizing the device using a special software, the CS AM Configurator, developed in-house by Pizzato Elettrica.

Franke linear guides for precise contours Linear guides from Franke are installed in many cutting machines from Fecken-Kirfel. They are mainly used when not only straight edges but also precise contours have to be cut into the material. For this purpose, the bandknife must be moved in two axes and also rotated in itself. Franke linear guides are used for linear travel. "In this context, we appreciate Franke's lightweight aluminium construction," says Stefan Lennartz, head of mechanical construction at Fecken-Kirfel. Thanks to lower moving masses, greater dynamics are possible with the Franke aluminium guides. Rollers instead of balls Instead of rotating balls, which are common in most linear guides, Franke uses rollers with bearings as rolling elements, which run on the typical Franke wire tracks. The advantages of this design for Fecken-Kirfel are high dynamics, high precision and low weight. The sliding resistance is adjustable on Franke linear guides. "We use the adjustability to adapt the guides to the application," says Stefan Lennartz. Since the roller bearings are lubricated for life, Franke linear guides are maintenance-free. "That is one point that brought us to Franke at the time," remarks Michael Tillmann. Fecken-Kirfel has been using Franke linear systems for over 30 years. "We use the Franke guideways very frequently," says Stefan Lennartz. In addition to the linear axes of the bandknifes, the device for loosening and tensioning the bandknife when changing the knife is another application.

"Franke linear guides are made of lightweight aluminium, which is very important for us because it allows us to achieve higher speeds," explains Alonso Marquez. At the same time, he says, process reliability must always be guaranteed. "The durability and resistance of Franke linear systems is crucial for us because they guide fundamental movements and the functioning of the entire machine depends on them," says Marquez. For customers who clean their machines very frequently for hygiene reasons, Franke's completely corrosion-resistant FDC type linear guides are also used. In this version, the inserted raceways and the rollers are made of corrosion-resistant steel, which further improves the resistance. Linear systems to individual specification Because each Mespack packaging machine is individually adapted to the customer's needs, Mespack also demands adapted solutions from Franke. "In our project drawings, the lengths of the guide rails and the required bores are specified in each case," explains Alonso Marquez. "Franke supplies us accordingly with the linear systems." Franke consultant Ignacio García assists Mespack on site in Spain. He explains that Franke works with a metalworker in Barcelona who handles the project-specific adjustments to the rails. "The local proximity of our partner company to Mespack shortens the delivery time. In this way, we are able to deliver even the customised components on time within tight project schedules," Ignacio Garcia comments with satisfaction. Read the whole story here: https://www.franke-gmbh.com/news-stories/customer-stories/mespack-masters-of-flexible-packaging/ To the video: https://www.franke-gmbh.com/news-stories/customer-stories/mespack-masters-of-flexible-packaging/#video

Designing with Franke products Roller bearings and linear systems from Franke have been included in Sachs Engineering's design drawings for around 10 years. "We focus on quality in our designs, and we ensure this by using only selected branded products," explains Michael Schubert. If a designer has had good experiences with a product, he recommends it to his colleagues. In addition to the physical requirements, engineering at Sachs includes many other aspects to take into account: First and foremost, the operation, but also aspects such as manufacturing costs or after-sales services. According to Michael Schubert, it is in this context of prudent engineering that the expertise of suppliers such as Franke should be used. "You can't be the best expert in all areas," Schubert notes. With Franke, we have a partner who has extraordinary competence in the field of bearings and whose advice they are happy to rely on in order to consistently design outstanding products. Approaching the optimal bearing product Which Franke products would be used in Sachs' handling systems only became clear in the course of the cooperation. Franke customer advisor Michael Bärstecher remembers that they first thought about the possibilities of super-slim Franke bearing elements: the space-saving bearings from Franke, which, however, require a specially designed design. For reasons of minimal production and assembly effort, Franke's LVA bearing assemblies with steel housing and LVB with aluminum housing were finally found in the course of the consultations. Their very compact installation space, the relatively high possible torque loads, their smooth running and the low weight were the decisive arguments for the selected bearing assembly. To the video: https://www.franke-gmbh.com/news-stories/customer-stories/making-lifting-easier-with-handling-systems-from-sachs-products/#video

Antrimon developed a unique valve actuator for a global equipment manufacturer facing extreme operating conditions. The requirements were demanding: operation in ATEX and IECEx Zone 22, ambient temperatures from 5 to 50 °C, lifetime exceeding 10 million cycles, high continuous and acceleration torque at low speeds, minimal heat generation and maximum energy efficiency – all in a compact design with worldwide certifications (ATEX, IECEx, CE, UL). No such solution existed on the market. Antrimon’s answer was a fully customised brushless outer-rotor motor combined with a two-stage planetary gearbox. The design focused on delivering maximum torque at the lowest speed, exceptional robustness and reliability. With a maintenance-free concept – no brushes, no oil changes – the actuator is built for continuous heavy-duty operation. The entire process, from feasibility analysis and mechanical/electronic design to prototyping, extreme-condition validation, certification and series production, was handled in-house. The result: significantly lower energy consumption compared to pneumatic systems, extended maintenance intervals, improved process safety and full global compliance. This solution gives the customer a clear competitive edge in international plant engineering. Antrimon is the only provider worldwide able to deliver such a certified solution economically from concept to series production.

Reports about the spread of malware and high follow-up costs after cyberattacks can be read every day. Unfortunately, industrial OT & ICS systems are also increasingly falling victim to such targeted attacks. With its Cyber ​​Recovery devices, SALVADOR TECHNOLOGIES has a solution for securing computer data as best as possible and restoring it to the PC within minutes if necessary. With SALVADOR's Cyber ​​Recovery Units (CRU), the operating system, all drivers, programs and the desired data from the PC are backed up in three isolated storage areas. The first area is intended for initial storage after the computer is set up. The two other storage areas are available for cyclical backup during operation. Thanks to the "Air Gap" technology used, the three storage areas of the CRU are not visible from the outside and are completely isolated from one another. The stored data is only visible to the software agent that is installed on the protected computer. This software can be used to set which data should be backed up and how often the data should be backed up from the PC to the CRU. The software agent also monitors the status of the stored data using "canary files" and immediately detects cyber attacks. This prevents contaminated data from the CRU from being loaded back onto the computer. Alarm messages and other information such as the backup status, data integrity or suspicious activities on the CRUs can be displayed using a SALVADOR management system.

In the beginning there was the idea of a completely networked factory. 4.0. The fourth industrial revolution has been in progress for several years now and is still going strong. But new aspects are being added almost every day: artificial intelligence, deep learning, and digital twins – these are just some of the buzzwords that are currently fueling the topic and which find their counterpart in smart sensors. With these, we are driving the changes and constantly exceeding old boundaries. Change is everywhere. While we used to think that it is was mainly about intelligent networked production, we have already gone beyond that. Fusing the operative manufacturing level with the IT level brings new digital challenges. We are therefore taking the following decisive step for our customers: Besides continuously strengthening our expertise in the technical area, we will collaboratively develop complete solutions with you that continuously push out the limits of the technically achievable. In this way we will also accompany you through the next stage of the revolution and make everything smarter.