It is a fixed date in the calendar of many QA experts: Control in Stuttgart - this year from April 23 to 26, 2024. The range of topics includes technologies from the fields of vision, image processing, sensor technology as well as measuring and testing technology. According to the trade fair organizers, trade visitors can look forward to top technologies and a high level of internationality. One of Control's strengths is the cross-industry presentation of systems and solutions for quality assurance. QA managers from all areas of the company will find answers to their questions here - both in industrial and non-industrial sectors. This is also confirmed by trade fair director Bettina Schall in an interview.

Ms. Schall, what trends do you currently see in quality assurance and quality management?

Bettina Schall: Modern quality assurance measures play an important role in overcoming production challenges in terms of efficiency, resource conservation and sustainability. The aim is to minimize waste, defects and errors in the production process and to design processes economically. But many different safety aspects also play a major role. Quality assurance measures contribute in various ways to avoiding errors, improving processes and promoting environmentally friendly practices. Measuring, testing, checking, evaluating, documenting - end-to-end solutions for these functions are required in all industries and business areas. This is because more and more data is being recorded, evaluated, linked and fed back to the systems. This is why software and intelligent evaluation algorithms are playing an increasingly important role at Control.

How does Control cover these trends?

For many companies, the annual Control is a fixed, indispensable trade fair date. It is so interesting because it showcases different types of measurement technology and presents them in a way that is relevant across all industries - this is an important feature of Control. Experts from all over the world come here to discuss new requirements and new possibilities for quality assurance at the highest level of expertise. The practical, pragmatic working atmosphere combined with a high level of internationality makes Control a unique meeting place for QA professionals worldwide.

What are the special thematic highlights this year?

Overall, progressive automation, digitalization and networking are the big headlines across all topics. Specifically, the highlights will include inline inspections, state-of-the-art vision systems, advanced AI-based analyses, advanced software and process improvement through simulations. The ease of use of machines and testing tools is also a hot topic. This is because the shortage of skilled workers also needs to be compensated for in quality assurance. In 2024, the Fraunhofer Vision division will once again be organizing a special "Non-Contact Measuring Technology" show, which will present a cross-section of new technologies, applications and system components for non-contact measuring and testing technology. Here, users will receive concrete support in selecting the right testing technology for them. An exciting start-up area is also being prepared once again to expand the topics relating to measurement technology and quality assurance with ideas and new perspectives from young companies.

This year, the trade fair will only occupy two halls. Will Control focus on specific topics?

The range of topics at Control 2024 is undiminished and covers various types of measurement technology for different industries. Those companies taking part will once again celebrate the internationally highly regarded industry highlight as a festival in an outstanding working atmosphere. High internationality, great interest from trade visitors, top-level QA technologies - Control scores with quality and relevance, not just quantity. Trade visitors will benefit from a relaxed, concentrated and efficient visit to the trade fair.

In the run-up to the event, there were discussions about a possible two-year cycle for Control. What are the plans in this regard?

We are in close contact with the exhibitor advisory board and the exhibitors as a whole regarding the frequency of the trade fair. So far, the majority are in favor of retaining the annual cycle because Control is a fixed date in the annual calendar as a meeting point for bundled QA expertise. However, some of those involved in the industry prefer a two-year cycle for individual reasons. As trade fair organizers and service providers, we will of course remain in contact with them and are open to all useful and beneficial developments.

The role of quality assurance in companies is changing. Can this also be seen in Control - possibly in a change of topics or visitor groups?

It's quite clear: production processes are changing, the scope of quality assurance measures is increasing and new areas are being added that previously had little or no QA measures in place - all these changes can be observed as a matter of course, and of course Control is keeping pace. Above all, it has been an important issue for years that measuring and testing are no longer separate processes, but are integrated "inline" into the process. This in turn results in specific requirements for the test equipment - for example in terms of robustness and sensitivity. The developments of "Industry 4.0" have also resulted in "QA 4.0" - i.e. overall integration, networking, automated queries and evaluations, etc. QA is becoming increasingly important because it is a key basis for conserving resources, eliminating errors, reducing rejects and overall efficiency, as well as in terms of reliability and safety. This is why QA topics are exciting, they are developing rapidly and are future-oriented. All of this is also reflected in Control.

How do you perceive the mood in the QA sector?

QA measures are essential for companies and determine the future, which is why the industry is well positioned and a growth sector. QA topics are cutting-edge technology with a lot of progress and research, so they are consistently innovative and forward-looking. Nevertheless, manufacturing companies are currently under a lot of pressure from many factors - such as cost pressure, a shortage of skilled workers, supply chain uncertainties and geopolitical uncertainties. This affects everyone. At the same time, consistent QA means greater cost-effectiveness and efficiency for companies and takes the pressure off them. So if companies want to achieve their sustainability goals - i.e. improvements in ecological, economic and social terms - QA measures at a wide variety of levels and in a wide variety of areas are a prerequisite. This makes QS more important than ever. 

Two fully occupied exhibition halls

Control 2024 will once again have its usual core of participants with many well-known exhibitors, almost half of them from abroad. According to the list of exhibitors (as of March 2024), 25 companies from Switzerland will be on site, including e.g:

• BETA CAE Systems International AG (Hall 10, Stand 1011) will be exhibiting a virtual clamping tool that can be used to simulate a physical clamping device for the quality inspection of parts.
• Comet X-Ray (Hall 10, Stand 1213): This company develops and manufactures metal/ceramic X-ray sources and associated components for the non-destructive testing of materials in the electronics, automotive, aerospace, pipeline and steel industries, as well as for stationary and mobile inspection of baggage and cargo at airports and borders.
• Peter Lehmann AG (Hall 10, Stand 1405) has developed a new rotary table range optimized for measuring technology. This simplifies production-related measuring.
• Maprox (Hall 10, Stand 1400) will be presenting its ultra-precise UP chuck in Stuttgart, which is self-centering and ensures repeat accuracy in the µ range.
• Marcel Aubert SA (Hall 8, Stand 8301) will be at the trade fair with the tool tester 70. This is a measuring machine for measuring cutting tools. Measurements can be carried out without changing the tool orientation.
• Sontec Automatisierte Prüftechnik AG (Hall 10, Stand 1109) will be exhibiting various automatic testing machines, e.g. for the acoustic testing of series parts.

www.control-messe.de

The goal was ambitious: "Our almost 500 users should use a QMS that fits so seamlessly into their everyday work that they don't even notice it," says Andrea Hofmann, Transformation Manager and Management Board member at WKS KV Bildung Bern.

Integration instead of isolation thanks to Microsoft 365

And this is precisely one of the most common weaknesses of dedicated QM solutions. They are often isolated applications for which employees can no longer even find the log-in data after a while.

Hofmann and her team knew from the outset that the new QM would be based on SharePoint Online: "We already use the platform in our day-to-day communication and collaboration and also use Microsoft Teams." They didn't want an extra tool with lots of functions that are already available in M365. QM should not be an isolated place in the system landscape, but should be integrated into the workplace platform.

Infectious joy in QM work

WKS also formed the new "QM team" according to the same principle: no isolated specialists, but a participative approach. Three people have donned the QM hat in addition to their existing tasks and are creating the new processes because they are intrinsically motivated to do so. The fact that two of the three people are members of the management team is certainly a decisive factor. This means that the topic of quality management is anchored at the highest level.

This creates an infectious joy and motivation that is rarely found in the working world. And in the middle of implementation: "We are currently working hard in the background - transferring documents, creating process maps, entering Visio diagrams - and soon we will be dealing with the approvals," says Martina Körnli, training support employee and responsible for the management system.

300+ SharePoint-based QM systems implemented

"The collaboration with IOZ AG is simply brilliant," concludes Andrea Hofmann. "On the one hand, we are a great cultural fit, and on the other, we benefit from their extensive experience." IOZ AG specializes in implementing process and quality management systems with Microsoft 365. Many SMEs are not aware that they already have a QMS at hand with their existing M365 licenses.

The auditor was also satisfied with what she saw in the pre-audit at WKS. "We can cover the open points from the pre-audit directly with functions in our new SharePoint QMS," says Hofmann.

Contact details

IOZ AG

St. Georg Strasse 2a, 6210 Sursee

+41 41 925 84 00

www.ioz.ch