HERE. Impulse Magazine / Sustainability 2021

NEW MOBILITY IN SAXONY-ANHALT
and much more. However, we also want to attract new
companies. We are focusing on growth not only in the
CMD, but also throughout Magdeburg, Barleben and
Saxony-Anhalt.
Which cooperative projects is the university
working on in connection with the CMD?
PROFESSOR JENS STRACKELJAN: We are currently taking
part in detailed discussions with one of the most important
service providers to the automotive industry, IAV
GmbH in Berlin. HORIBA FuelCon GmbH is based nearby
and we will definitely be involved in the field of hydrogen.
In addition, a large number of SMEs from Saxony-Anhalt
will be working closely with the CMD. We have also established
collaborations with automotive networks as part of
several European projects. Other important cooperations
include those with German universities and with the Universidad
Nacional de Rio Cuarto in Argentina.
How important is the CMD for the research profile
of the University of Magdeburg?
PROFESSOR JENS STRACKELJAN: The aim of the interdisciplinary
cooperation between the faculties of
mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and
information technology, computer science, process and
systems engineering and economics and management is
to increase the number of highly qualified graduates with
technical degrees and, in parallel, to improve the standard
of education even further. The CMD will enable the graduates
to become involved in interesting applied research
projects at an early stage and will open up future-proof
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TOTAL AREA
(HECTARES):
275
job opportunities all over the world. At the same time, this
automotive-oriented research and development center
will strengthen the transfer of automotive expertise at
the University of Magdeburg because the involvement of
industry will increase our innovative ability and improve
the technology transfer. To further enhance the standards
of scientific excellence and to ensure a rapid transfer of
knowledge and technology, we will be raising the profile
of the center by creating a new endowed professorship
and additional research groups.
How can the CMD contribute to
Saxony-Anhalt as a technology location?
PROFESSOR JENS STRACKELJAN: On the threshold of the
new era of mobility, the state of Saxony-Anhalt has taken
on board this latest development trend in the definition
of its leading market as “mobility and logistics.” This will
be linked with the creation of the infrastructure and the
vehicles needed for intelligent, environmentally friendly,
integrated transport systems. The goal is to establish
the state as a leading research location for powertrain
technologies. On the basis of a high-profile research
infrastructure, Saxony-Anhalt can ensure that it remains
competitive and innovative over the long term. The CMD
will significantly reinforce the scientific and economic
attractiveness of the state.
OSTFALEN TECHNOLOGY PARK IN FIGURES:
TOTAL AREA
COMPANIES ON SITE
(HECTARES):
140
JOBS:
2,300
Top-class
forming technology
Porsche and Schuler AG have set up an
innovative press shop in Halle (Saale).
The sports car manufacturer Porsche and the
sheet metal forming specialist Schuler opened an
ultra-modern press shop for vehicle body parts in the Star
Park in Halle (Saale) in June 2021. The new plant is the first
to be part of the Industry 4.0 strategy of the two companies,
which have founded the joint venture Smart Press Shop
GmbH & Co. KG for the purpose. Ultimately, the plan is to
employ 135 people at the plant. Porsche and Schuler have
invested almost 100 million euros in the site and the joint
venture.
The highly innovative press shop will be able to produce
parts not only for Porsche but also for other vehicle manufacturers.
The focus is on manufacturing components for
the outer skin made from aluminum and steel. A highly
efficient logistics system will allow the CO 2
emissions from
the production process to be reduced. Until now, the engine
hood of the Porsche Macan has been made in Bratislava.
Now the hoods come from Halle and are transported
directly to the nearby Porsche factory in Leipzig. This saves
time, money and CO 2
emissions because the components
no longer have to travel long distances. Porsche’s aim is to
be CO 2
-neutral along the entire value chain by 2030. The
smart press shop is designed as a zero impact factory with
a closed cycle, where recycling and the reuse of waste play
a central role. The new facility is also paperless and the
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waste heat from the machines is used to heat the building
in the winter months. The building also has a large number
of skylights to reduce the amount of electricity needed for
lighting.
“Schuler is a highly competent and innovative partner that
is setting new standards in the digitalization of forming
technology,” explains Albrecht Reimold, Member of the
Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche.
“We can link design, development, bodywork planning, tool
manufacturing and production even more closely together
and increase the efficiency of our processes.”
“We see the joint construction and
operation of the smart press shop
as a project that will enable us to
take the efficiency of our production
systems and the digitalization of
important stages in the process of car
manufacturing to a new level in terms
of forming technology,”
says Domenico Iacovelli, CEO of Schuler AG.
smartpress.shop
The modern pressing
plant operated by
Schuler and Porsche is
in the Star Park in Halle
(Saale).