Travelling to Hannover from India just for a day-long event is not exactly a pleasant prospect, with the journey and transit time exceeding the actual hours spent on German soil. But for anyone connected with the engineering and manufacturing industry, Hannover is the Mecca of industrial world, and the trip, a pilgrimage. And the 'day-long event' in question was actually the Press Preview for Hannover 2013, a trailer for the main show in early April 2013. So far from any complaints, it was a privilege and an experience to be a part of the select gathering of about 80 scribes from around the world and 46 companies offering a sneak peak at what they are actually going to display at the main event.

Acknowledging the increasingly important role networking plays across the entire industrial landscape, the organisers have chosen 'Integrated Industry' as the keynote theme for Hannover Messe 2013, scheduled from April 08-12. Speaking on the occasion of the Preview on January 31, 2013, Dr Jochen Koeckler, Member of the Board, Deutsche Messe AG, said: 

"Machines, industrial equipment, work pieces and system components will soon be capable of exchanging data in real-time. This will significantly boost efficiency, safety and resource sustainability in production and logistics. The experts have dubbed this technological development the fourth industrial revolution, coming, as it does, after the steam engine, mass production and automation."

Delivering the keynote address, Prof Manfred Broy took the audience on a futuristic journey from the smart embedded systems of today to the cyber-physical systems (CPS) of tomorrow, with the theme 'Amalgamation of the Reality with the Net'. Devices from smartphones to traffic lights, airplanes to buildings - will have embedded software systems linked directly to the Internet. A computer scientist with specialisation in software and system engineering at of 

Munich Technical University, Prof Broy began with a Steve Job quote, first terming computer as a servant, but later, a guide or an agent. Describing the current favourite gizmo, smartphone, as nothing but a box packed with software, Broy emphasised how a lot of devices today are primarily or exclusively operated by software - tablets, e-books, fly-by-wire, simulation and services like net banking or navigation by e-maps, the modern human is now both trapped in and liberated by software, in a strange paradox.

The automotive industry, said Prof Broy, offers the best contemporary example, where 40% of the cost of a typical car is now attributed to electronics and software. Compared to 50-70 million lines of code in the now de-commissioned space shuttle, a high end car today has 100 million lines of code, taking over many functions from the human hands. The airbag in a car, for example, cannot be imagined without software systems. But beyond that, cars of the future would not only drive without any human intervention, but also automatically run in a pool, picking up passengers in the share programme.

While the automobile maybe the most popular example due to its ubiquitous nature, industry is not far behind, and that's what the sneak preview was all about. Integration will be the topic of the software provider Aucotec at the Hannover Messe 2013. In two halls, the 

company will be highlighting the advantages and latest developments, which are based on the particular openness of its database-driven system Engineering Base (EB). In the Digital Factory (Hall 7, B 28), the company will present connectivity of external systems such as the PLM Software Team Centre (Siemens) or Agile (Oracle) or also the timesaving link with the process control system tools from ABB (800xA) and Siemens (PCS7). EB's integration of various industry standards is also an important topic. Aucotec is the first developer of software for designing electrical plants which has signed the "Codex of PLM Openness" (CPO).

In the Energy Hall 13 (A 58), Aucotec will focus on the integration of data from various disciplines, which will be increasingly required, particularly by regional energy and infrastructure providers. More and more municipal service companies are facing a gigantic flood of data: from wind energy, biogas and solar systems, conventional power generation and distribution as well as intelligent networks, electric charging stations and possibly public transport. Only Engineering Base combines the necessary diverse expertise on a single platform and can achieve integrative documentation from process engineering via power distribution technology to control centre technology. Aucotec is represented in India by the Pune-based UL Group of Companies.

Another German company, ifm datalink gmbh, the new subsidiary for software solutions, promoted by sensor specialist ifm electronic, offers highly standardised and industry-independent software packages to optimise processes in the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Execution System LINERECORDER - MES, says Peter Erhard, General Manager, is used to optimise and monitor all production processes from incoming goods inspection to dispatch with perfect data transparency. Modular function blocks for process monitoring (vibrations, energy consumption, measurements, etc) and process control provide quality key indicators and traceability for products and processes. The MES is distinguished by its intelligent interface concept for machine and ERP connections without programming during system integration. High system availability is ensured thanks to the decentralised system architecture. Production does not depend on IT. Using ERP systems, data exchange is quick and reliable. Ifm electronic has a notable presence in India.

Parker Hannifin, the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, offered a glimpse of its latest patented electrically driven Linear Actuators Series, the Origa ORD-E. With its high operating forces combined with unique non-rotating technology and ultra-compact design, the ORD-E takes positioning to the next level. According to Rochus Binder, Manager - Marketing Communication, the new ORD-E will be available initially in 50 mm size, with further sizes 80 mm, 100 mm and 160 mm following soon after. The ORD-E series has been designed to perform high load linear movements up to 500 mm maximum stroke length and with forces up to 2,000 N. This makes the ORD-E a suitable alternative choice when hydraulic actuators are not an option. The Parker EasyDrive software supports the user not only for the configuration of system components, but also allows user-friendly parameterization and programming of motion profiles and motion sequences. While typical applications would be in food processing and packaging, life sciences, renewable energies and road traffic control technologies, the possibilities are limitless.

German company Technische Antriebselemente GmbH, an expert in drive technology and linear systems, showed three of their new products slated for launch at the fair this year - Stainless steel bevel gear for food/pharma and chemical industries, an electro piston with multiple features, and a mini actuator with controller. The mini actuator comes with the following programmable functions: start/stop, acceleration, direction of rotation, feed rate, positions and torque control. Barbara Preuss, Sales Manager, mentioned that while the company has no direct presence in India, its products could be in use in many machines used by several users in India.

K?bler, according to Pierre Brucker, Marketing Director, will be exhibiting the latest generation of Sendix absolute EtherCAT encoders that boast the shortest bus cycle time for EtherCAT currently available. With a position update within 62.5 ?s these new EtherCAT encoders from K?bler are faster than other devices on 

the market, which - though also able to send data with the same speed - are merely repeating the old position. The shorter cycle time with the new Sendix absolute EtherCAT encoders allow 

customers to implement highly dynamic systems with EtherCAT Fieldbus technology. A wide temperature range of -40?C up to +85?C, as well as a high level of shock resistance of up to 2,500 m/s? and high vibration resistance up to 100 m/s? qualify the devices for use also in extremely harsh environments. The K?bler Group is a leading specialist worldwide in the fields of position and motion sensors, counting and process technology as well as transmission technology.

For Danish company Dani-tech, the vision and passion is to be one of the best suppliers of hydraulic/transmission/electronic components and systems on the markets, which is where it dominates. According to Lars Brinch Knudsen, Sales manager, the Dani-tech product programme consists of the market's widest and most complete range of hydraulic components such as pumps, motors, filters, valves, manifolds, pumping stations and cylinders. The company manufactures a complete range of PTO shafts and gearboxes of all kinds up to 4,000 kW. It also specialises in a highly intelligent range of compactors, equipped with SIM cards and GPS communication, used widely by waste management utilities. Dani-tech customers are manufacturers of machinery for the manufacturing, wind turbine, agricultural, transport, forestry and fishing industries.

While engineering and technology companies dominate the exhibition, Cederroth, a Swedish company would be presenting what it calls the world's smallest emergency department, a First Aid Station, which is a must at every factory and shopfloor. In the market for 30 years now, Cederroth is famous for its unique and intuitive First Aid products. Since the middle of the 1970s Cederroth has developed solutions that allow everyone to give First Aid, even if they have not had any training. The new range includes the Eye Wash Station, the First Aid Station and the Plaster Dispenser. With the Cederroth First Aid Station, every workplace will be able to customise their own small 'emergency department' so that they are fully prepared for an emergency, says Ralf Svanback, sales director.

While the Preview presented a tantalising trailer, the main event, Hannover Messe, said to be the largest annual gathering of the industrial world, this year has no fewer than eleven sector specific trade shows: Industrial Automation; Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA); Energy; Wind; MobiliTec; Digital Factory; ComVac; Industrial Supply; Surface Technology; IndustrialGreenTec; and Research & Technology.

As Koeckler said, "The format of Hannover Messe embodies the 'Integrated Industry' lead theme perfectly because it generates numerous interfaces and synergies between the exhibitors and visitors at its constituent tradeshows." While the best year in the history of this grand event was 2011 with over 6000 exhibitors, 

the organisers are expecting to get over the small dip experienced last year with the forthcoming show. "We are optimistic about breaching the 6000 mark, with exhibitors coming from over 60 countries," he added. Approximately 195,000 visitors attended the 2012 Hannover Messe and the 2013 event already has more exhibitors than 2012 with expectations for higher attendance, and more substance than ever.

Russia, an emerging economic power, is the Partner Country at Hammover Messe this year. The keynote themes of Russia's Partner Country showcase include energy transmission and distribution, international energy business, industrial processing and production, technology partnerships, innovations in R&D, and Russia as a destination for strategic partnerships and 

foreign investment. "Russia plans to invest vast sums of money in upgrading its production systems, energy sector and general infrastructure over the coming years. International industrial companies can help Russia achieve its long-term technology modernization objectives by providing much-needed technological know-how and investment," Dr Koeckler said.

Hannover Messe 2013 thus will place a strong emphasis on industrial automation and IT, energy and environmental technologies, power transmission and control, industrial subcontracting, manufacturing technologies, services and R&D. For technocrats and decision makers around the world, a visit to this greatest show on earth would be a rewarding experience that would only help strategise lean, green and efficient production in their own enterprises.

(with inputs from participating companies and www.hannovermesse.de, the website of the show)