Industry 4.0 for ROW 2.0. A debate in Rybnik is behind us
The Industry 4.0 Week - part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 celebrations - is ongoing. This week, many activities are devoted to discussions about modern industry. Solutions that can be implemented in Rybnik by local companies were discussed, among others, in the Technical Schools Complex and in the Continuing Education Centre – a branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik.
On the second day of Industry 4.0, Week Silesian University of Technology invited those interested in new industry to Rybnik. In the places where scientists of our University conduct their activities, the prospects of development in industry were discussed. Workshops were held with students of the Technical School Complex, who were introduced to what technologies currently have an impact on the development of industry in the region and beyond.
The lecture and interactive workshops on RES (Renewable Energy Sources) and hydrogen technologies, which are currently being strongly developed in Rybnik in the context of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, were conducted by Dr Eng. Daniel Węcel.
“I am showing students what development opportunities are offered by the fact that hydrogen technologies are gaining importance. What job prospects are emerging and in what fields it is worth to study. Teachers who introduce students to the world of modern technologies in schools should also know about it “– said Dr Eng. Węcel.
Students also listened to presentations on smart solutions that can be applied in homes, modern applications, software that fits into the smart home trend. The workshop was conducted by APA Group representatives.
“We want to share knowledge in the field of automation and robotization, because it is impossible to escape from it, it is something that every engineer will meet in their work. Energy transformation, technological transformation already affects all branches of industry” – said Dr Eng. Artur Pollak, President of APA Group, who also took part in a visit to the training tunnel, which is located on the premises of the Technical Schools Complex.
During the tour, the cooperation between industry and science was discussed, and specifically how the Silesian University of Technology and representatives of modern companies operating in the region can support students in education and preparation for entering the labour market.
- “It is an ideal place to show how over the years the energy transformation from chisel and pickaxe to modern machines has taken place. Today in the mines we have applied modern automation solutions, processor chips to handle which a miner is needed, who should be today, first of all, a well-educated engineer” – said Dr Hab Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, Prof. SUT– director of the Continuing Education Centre in Rybnik.
The staff of the Silesian University of Technology adds their own bricks to the education of modern employees already at the stage of secondary school.
- “We are an academic technical school, which operates thanks to great support and cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology. We are already thinking about expanding our education with further specialties in the field of cybersecurity or hydrogen technologies “– added Piotr Tokarz, director of Technical School Complex in Rybnik.
After classes, the participants of Industry 4.0 Week moved to the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik, where debates under the slogan Industry 4.0 for ROW 2.0 took place.
Topics related to the use of modern technological solutions in everyday life, in our homes dominated the discussion, which also dealt with hydrogen technologies, which are strongly developed in Rybnik, and scientists of the Silesian University of Technology add their own initiatives to this development.
“In particular, as the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, we do a lot in this area. We are one of two units in Europe that tests hydrogen tanks, allows them to be used. We check whether they are resistant to fire, to inflammation, which is an important aspect of the safety of use” - said Dr Eng. Adam Mańka. Such studies are conducted by scientists of the Silesian University of Technology in appropriate conditions, on the training ground.
“Until now, electric vehicles have dominated the transport market, and it turns out that hydrogen-powered vehicles may be a better solution. Hence, we see the need for education in this area and already today preparing experts who will be able to operate such technologies” – he added.
Participants of Industry 4.0 Week could see for themselves how a hydrogen-powered bus works and take a ride.
The schedule of the next Industry 4.0 Week events can be seen here:
