Plenary Speeches

Plenary 1
Speech of the Day
Plenary 2

Plenary 1: Johann Bayer, BMW AG

Wednesday 01.10.2008 09:15–10:00 simultaneous	The New Sales and Production System of the BMW Group Johann Bayer BMW AG In the mid of the 1990s the BMW Group faced a number of challenges: the growing customer demand towards more individuality and service, the broadening of the product portfolio, shorter model cycles, new forms of sales like agents and e-commerce, and many others. In this situation the board of the BMW Group initiated a new build-to-order strategy, the customer-oriented sales and production system. At the roots of this great project there was a very clear vision: Each customer shall receive the individually ordered car at a binding date – ideally, his or her desired delivery date. This speech discusses the implications of this strategy on the production and its validation within the production through simulation techniques.		Quelle: © BMW AG

	Johann Bayer, born 1956, studied surveying and mapping at the University of Applied Science Munich and worked as geodesist for several years. In the year 1986 he joined BMW AG and conducted a huge number of simulation studied in the following years, addressing nearly all areas of automotive production. In the context of a realignment of the production strategy he was strongly involved in the design and practical implementation of a method for the simulation of complete production processes. Presently, Johann Bayer works in the body-in-white production with a focus on the early phase of car projects.

Speech of the Day: Manfred Spitzer, University Hospital Ulm

Wednesday 01.10.2008 18:00–19:00 simultaneous	Learning Brain: Neuroscience and Practice Prof. Dr. Dr. Manfred Spitzer Medical Director Psychiatric University Hospital Ulm As we know from neurobiology, learning processes are closely interrelated with changes of the connections among neurons: Our experience does modify our brain! These processes are working at any time; however, under some conditions they are more efficient and faster. The age and the emotions of the learning person exhibit a particular role in this context, which could be elucitated just in the very recent years, at least partially. The implications for learning in kindergarten, school, university and business are discussed, and the relationship studied between fear and learning as well as joy and learning. In this context, it becomes specifically clear that joy and learning are extremely closely connected, systematically. For practical application, this does in no way mean "fun education", but the great chance for all of us, to experience moments of joy and delight time and time again.

	Prof. Dr. Dr. Manfred Spitzer, born 1958, has studied medicine, psychology, and philosophy. After postdoctoral lecture qualification in psychiatry he was engaged as assistant medical director in Heidelberg. His research focus in the border area of neuroscience and psychiatry was shaped during his time as guest professor at Harvard and visiting researcher at Oregon University. Since 1987 he holds the chair of psychiatry at the University of Ulm and since 1998 he is also medical director of the psychiatric university hospital.		Quelle: © Manfred Spitzer

Plenary 2: Walter Commerell, Hochschule Ulm

Thursday 02.10.2008 09:00–09:45 simultan	Simulation of Technical Systems – Requirements and Perspectives Prof. Dr. Walter Commerell, University of Applied Sciences Ulm in cooperation with Dr. Heinz-Theo Mammen, Hella KGaA Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Klaus Panreck, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück Dr.-Ing. Joachim Haase, Fraunhofer IIS/EAS Techniques for modelling and simulation of technical systems have gained steadily increasing importance in the recent years, targeting to develop innovative and optimised products under a high pressure of cost and time constraints. This is especially true for the design of mechatronic systems. In this field, simulation is established as an important part of the development process. This speech illustrates the application potentials of simulation at the example of a mechatronic system from a passenger car. Solutions are presented that enable domain-overspanning simulation. Furthermore, possible methods to achieve a non-interrupted, simulation-supported design process are presented. Current challenges in simulation of technical systems are shown and trends and perspectives derived for future developments.

	Prof. Dr. Walter Commerell worked as electrician, then studied industrial electronics at the University of Applied Sciences Ulm, and achieved a PhD on the topic "Hardware in the Loop – Simulation of Electrical Vehicles". He was CEO of VIAx Solutions GmbH and Project Center Team Leader Model-Based Design at T-Systems. Since 2007, he is professor at the University of Applied Sciences Ulm for the domains of cybernetics, measurement engineering and real-time data processing. Furthermore, Walter Commerell is supervisory board chairman of Phocos AG since the year 2000.		Quelle: © Walter Commerell