HUB4MANUVAL, the Valencian DIH that improves the competitiveness of regional SMEs
Based in the Polytechnic University of Valencia, it has been funded by I4MS initiative trough HORSE project
HUB4MANUVAL is the DIH (Digital Innovation Hub) in the Valencian Region, in Spain. Francisco Blanes, its coordinator, welcomes us in his office at the University Institute of Automation and Industrial Computer of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Spain, to speak about what they do.
Funded by the I4MS (ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs) initiative through the HORSE project, HUB4MANUVAL was designed as a tool to make easier the use and implementation of Robotics and Cyber Physic Systems/Internet of Things in order to improve the competitiveness of SMEs and regional growth.
Francisco explains that in order to apply these technologies to the manufacturing industry, during the feasibility study developed, they analyzed cases where these technologies appeared. One of them solved a robot programming problem in repetitive tasks: through the systems that can learn trajectories of a robot arm by means of demonstration, it was possible to simplify the process of programming them.
RECONFIGURABLE COLLABORATIVE GRIP
One experiment carried out by the ai2 Institute from the UPV that is being applied by CFZ Cobots (official distributor of Universal Robots in the Valencian region) in industrial projects is a reconfigurable collaborative grip. This hand or grip follows the characteristics required in robotics collaborative applications. Besides, it is reconfigurable and it has been designed to work under six configurations: three for outside grip, another three for inner grip, but also with two parallel fingers or three fingers.
As a multi-function grip, it can be used in any manipulation application with collaborative robots that allows an adequate grip. Moreover, the fingers can be redesigned so they can be adapted to new objects, which makes this grip very revolutionary and easy to use and re-configurate at the same time.
But outside the scope of use cases, Francisco says that the centers of competence have a long history of supporting SME in digitalization processes, and in the case of cyber-physical systems, they have worked on a project to develop precise machine positioning systems through artificial vision.
THE ADDED VALUE OF HUB4MANUVAL: ITS SERVICES
As a DIH, one of their main goals is to strengthen SMEs, and that is why they focus their services on benefiting them. “From the services oriented to advising on technologies, to those of access to financing. We also consider relevant those linked to staff training, because in many cases the success in the implementation of a technology depends on the ability of assimilation by the professionals at the company”, remarks Francisco. That is the value of DIHs according to him, the use and access to DIH services, reinforced with a good experience.
“From the services oriented to advising on technologies, to those of access to financing. We also consider relevant those linked to staff training, because in many cases the success in the implementation of a technology depends on the ability of assimilation by the professionals at the company”, explains Francisco about DIHs services
However, there are some challenges that appear on the way of offering their services to SMEs. “The main challenge comes from being able to correctly understand the problem exposed by the company, and solving it with the most appropriate technology for the technological level of it, and the projection into the future. In this sense, the pilot testing service is the one that can best solve doubts about the feasibility of a solution”, explains the director of HUB4MANUVAL. He also adds that to reach out to the SMEs, intermediary organizations such as business associations, help them, as well as they organise some thematic conferences and sessions, key to spread the word about their technologies and attract SMEs.
Another challenge faced by the Valencian DIH is getting funding. Francisco tells that the financing of a DIH is “like a puzzle”, because it has many pieces to give the final composition. In their particular case, they are developing the BP to obtain such financing from both the private part, the public part and also the services that they start up, apart from funding they got from HORSE Project through I4MS initiative.
DIGITISATION OF MANUFACTURING IN VALENCIA: TRADITIONAL SECTORS AND POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE
Speaking about the potential of the digitisation of the manufacturing industry in the Valencian region, Francisco comments that Valencia has traditionally based much of its manufacturing industry in traditional sectors (furniture, footwear) with a large component of human knowledge and skill. But he adds that this model cannot continue being applied because it is very inefficient and rigid in terms of innovation, so there is a great potential in terms of improvement lines.
On the other hand, the size of the companies is very small, which makes them susceptible to improve their productivity through the incorporation of technology. Then, an economic challenge has to be faced, derived from the necessary investments.
Regarding the future, Francisco stays positive and thinks that it has to be beneficial for society. “This morning I read a story that said that in the year 2030, a third of the active population will see their job in danger due to the automation of processes. Obviously this is not the future we want. I see more a future where advanced manufacturing provides development opportunities for our nearby companies, providing goods and services useful to the Valencian society. It is everyone’s responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity as other countries are already doing”, points out.
