New Project: EQUIT Brings Energy and Digital Topics Directly to Businesses
We’d like to introduce you to an exciting project from our region that focuses on exactly what we’re working on at the FabLab: turning ideas into reality quickly. “EQUIT – Campus2Company” is a new collaborative project that helps small and medium-sized businesses in the Ruhr region make their production processes more digital and energy-efficient.
What exactly is it about?
Many companies actually know that they could save energy or should digitize their processes. In day-to-day operations, however, they often lack the time, the know-how, or simply a clear starting point. This is exactly where “EQUIT” comes in. Research leaves the lab and enters the workplace. In a total of 15 pilot projects, solutions are being implemented directly within companies.
The project combines three areas that are also constantly coming together here at our FabLab. Digital fabrication is provided by Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences. Real-time monitoring and data analysis are handled by the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. Energy and sustainability are addressed by Fraunhofer UMSICHT. The idea behind it is quite simple: digitalization and energy efficiency only work together.
The project is a network of partners from the region. Participants include Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, and the Herne Economic Development Agency. Project coordination is handled by WiN Emscher-Lippe GmbH. The project is funded through the EU program EFRE/JTF NRW.
When you look at the project, you quickly realize that much of it is happening here as well—just on a smaller scale. In the FabLab, ideas often turn directly into prototypes. This is exactly the philosophy behind EQUIT. You try things out instead of talking about them endlessly. You develop together instead of working alone. You build solutions that really work. Or as we say: We can do almost anything.
The results from the pilot projects will later be shared as best practices. This way, other companies can benefit from them as well. For us, this means exciting developments right on our doorstep and plenty of opportunities for new ideas and projects.
If you're interested in topics like energy, digitalization, or prototyping, feel free to stop by our next open house.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Michael Schäfer, HRW FabLab
