Kistler View2015 Smart Measuring Solutions for Self-Regulated Production Processes. Get Better. With Kistler. Page 4 Development Partner on the Innovation Front. Page 5 Smart Systems for Smart Factories. Page 6 Using Connectivity to Achieve Results Faster.
An Eye for Detail. Kistler's electromechanical NC joining systems monitor, control, and optimize joining or press-fit jobs. They ensure 100 % quality while delivering energy savings of up to 80 %. Hidden inside the start block, Kistler measuring instrumentation provides an accurate analysis of the jump and helps professional swimmers to continually improve their performance. Kistler cylinder pressure indication solutions are not just used in Formula 1. Kistler is also ensuring the best times in the European design contest 'Formula Student'. Kistler Sales Center Kistler Tech Center Kistler Production Center 2
Since the early stages of industrialization in the 18th century, industrial production has been continually refined. With the forth industrialization, the so-called Industry 4.0, we are currently experiencing once again a phase of upheaval and massive change. This phase is characterized by higher requirements in terms of flexibility. While demanding increased connectivity of industrial processes and systems, it promises perfect quality along with greater efficiency. This is not new to us in fact, our slogan measure. analyze. innovate. accurately sums up the core ideas behind Industry 4.0. We measure, assess and evaluate, draw conclusions, and feed this back into the process, creating the ideal conditions for a self-regulated production cycle. In other words: Kistler measuring instrumentation is ideal for Industry 4.0 we have our finger on the pulse. Rolf Sonderegger CEO Kistler Group 3
Development Partner on the Innovation Front. Innovation cycles in the automotive industry are getting shorter all the time and companies are demanding more efficient and more economical engines with higher levels of safety and comfort but at a lower price. Increasing pressure on the innovation front is forcing many OEMs to focus more on their core business and turn to selected development partners for the support they need. For mid-sized firms like Kistler, the current trend is a huge challenge, but also a unique opportunity. Our new divisional structure and more distinct positioning on the market puts us in the enviable position of being able to offer OEMs the specific support they need as an effective development partner. The Automotive Research & Test Division enjoys a close and constructive partnership with many OEMs and engine manufacturers, as Kistler measuring instrumentation is indispensable in analyzing and controlling combustion but also in optimizing vehicle safety and dynamics. We offer our partners an extensive service, everything up to running external development labs. By expanding our Tech Centers, we will be able to offer our partners even more effective support in the future. 'We get excited about every new vehicle model with enhanced performance features, and we are always proud to have been involved in the development of a safer and less environmentally-damaging car. Our passion for technology produces benefits for everyone. And that in turn motivates us to deliver our best day in, day out.' Dr. Thomas Wagner Head of Division Automotive Research & Test Partnerships for Real Innovation in Road Traffic. Get Better. With Kistler. 4
Keeping the Finger on the Pulse of Industry 4.0. Get Better. With Kistler. Smart Systems for Smart Factories. The use of digitalization and networking in industry is a trend set to continue. The 'fourth industrial revolution' the cooperative, digital networking of staff and machines will shape industry for a long time to come. In the smart factory of the future, production resources such as manufacturing and assembly systems will control and optimize themselves to suit demand. Sensors will record the local situation in real time and provide the control process with meaningful data. The latest generation of Kistler measuring systems provide numerous interfaces for many different industrial production procedures and are putting the vision of Industry 4.0 into practice right now. By extending the maxymos family, Kistler has achieved an important milestone. The force-displacement monitors, along with Kistler's electromechanical joining systems, visualize and fully monitor the production processes. State-of-the-art joining technology monitors itself and controls the manufacturing process in real time based on sensor data. In plastics production, Kistler's high-precision pressure sensors monitor the injection molding process directly in the injection mold, where the product is formed. Intelligent algorithms in the CoMo Injection control system regulate the key process parameters and forward the quality data directly to superordinate systems. The Industrial Process Control Division will continue to drive forward the smart factory vision with innovative solutions fully in line with the idea behind the fourth industrial revolution. 'We share the vision of a smart factory with many of our customers. Kistler already provides efficient solutions for the smart factories of tomorrow.' Dr. Oliver Schnerr Head of Sales Division Industrial Process Control 5
Integrating Measurement Solutions into Common Applications. Get Better. With Kistler. Using Connectivity to Achieve Results Faster. Piezoelectric (PE) sensors have various unique characteristics, which make them the product of choice in numerous applications. In the past, when customers put together their own ambitious measurement installations with PE sensors, in most cases it was necessary to install external charge amplifiers between the sensor and the data acquisition device. The latest product developments see Kistler focusing increasingly on solutions for direct integration in common software and hardware platforms. This reduces the complexity of the measurement chain, avoids disturbance, and saves valuable time. 'By integrating our sensors in the everyday environment of measurement engineers, we are helping our customers to concentrate on what is most important to them: coming up with real innovations.' Marc Schaad CTO and Head of Division Sensor Technology Users of IEPE sensors (piezoelectric sensors with integrated electronics) value the convenience of being able to connect the sensors directly to the data acquisition devices and combine them easily with other signals. Kistler's charge amplifier module for the CompactRIO platform from National Instruments now allows this to be done with PE sensors too. Depending on the measurement or control job, a large number of technologies can therefore be flexibly combined. Standalone charge amplifiers like the Kistler LabAmp also allow measuring technicians to use data directly in LabVIEW. This enables digitalized measurements to be integrated directly in individual software applications. 6
Hitting the 300 Million Mark. In 2014, the Kistler Group achieved sales of CHF 319 million and grew by around 12 % on the previous year. Sales rose in virtually all markets. To encourage greater customer focus, in 2014 the sales channels in North America and China were integrated into the divisions. The same will be done in Japan in 2015. In December 2014, the Kistler Group's website went live in a fresh new look and with a consistent focus on the various applications. What's more, several working groups have been investigating how to expand Kistler's service activities so that all customers can receive even more comprehensive and competent support through an improved range of services. In 2014, Kistler again realized some major investments in infrastructure and organization. Work on the new German headquarters in Sindelfingen-Böblingen is advancing well and the new software development center in Bratislava with 50 members of staff is now up and running. Sales 2005 to 2014 mchf 350 325 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 Future Prospects Ignoring a few geopolitical uncertainties, the prospects for 2015 are very positive. There is still a huge appetite for innovation in the automotive industry. In the future, the Kistler Group will be an even stronger development partner, enabling customers to focus on their own core businesses. 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Consolidated sales in Mio. CHF 2011 2012 2013 2014 Kistler technologies are and will remain indispensable in the development of new innovative vehicles and industrial quality assurance at the highest level. The Kistler Group comprises 31 Group Companies, located at 54 sites in 30 different countries. Selected distributors market Kistler products and solutions in another 30 countries. The Kistler Group currently employs 1 350 members of staff (January 2015), 550 of whom work in Switzerland. 7
900-002e-03.15 2015, Kistler Group Kistler Group Eulachstrasse 22 8408 Winterthur Switzerland Tel. +41 52 224 11 11 Kistler Group includes the Kistler Holding AG and all its subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, Americas and Australia. Find your local contact at