At Tembo, we closely collaborate with other companies to develop new solutions. One example is the PRISMA project.
Within PRISMA the industrial companies IMS, AWL, SCM and Tolsma join forces with innovation hub Perron038 and research institutes Windesheim University of Applied Sciences and the Fraunhofer Project Center (FPC) of the University of Twente, to develop an integral, adaptive vision technology method that can be integrated in existing and new production system for various applications in HTSM, health and agro-food.
In this interview, Gert Turien shares his experience about this project.
What is your professional background?
My background is in electrical engineering; many years ago (in 1987), I completed my education at the intermediate technical level (MTS). After that, I fulfilled my childhood dream and started working in aviation as an aircraft maintenance engineer for KLM. I worked there for a number of years and then switched to a job in the ‘normal’ industry.
After having worked for companies such as MSD (medicines), GTI (measurement and control technology), Van Rietschoten & Houwens (tunnels, machines, telemetrics), I joined TDC as a software engineer in 2001. I am now responsible for the Controls department, of which PLC, HMI, Hardware Engineering, Data Engineering and Vision are parts.
What is your role regarding the Prisma project?
I am a member of the Steering Committee and, in the beginning, I focused on setting up the Tembo project and the business case for the PRISMA project. In the Steering Committee the progress of the project is monitored and decisions are made concerning changes in scope, the corona situation, etc. For me personally the objective of this project is to acquire knowledge of, and expertise with the Vision system, machine learning and deep learning, and to learn how to apply these correctly.
What appeals to you most about the Prisma project, and why?
The Prisma project is mainly about acquiring knowledge and skills together on a common theme, in which each company is involved in its own way. The collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and skills appeal to me. It also provides some insight in other industries. In addition, promoting technology within the region is also something that appeals to me.
Considering how difficult it is to find and retain good technicians in this region, it is a good initiative to use Perron038 to introduce students of Windesheim University to the technologies of today and tomorrow. Setting up great research projects with the help of students is a win-win situation. A place that is buzzing with technology and innovation. Both students and companies benefit from this. These students are tomorrow’s technicians.
How does the Corona crisis affect this project?
The Corana crisis mainly affects the planning of the project. Because the universities are closed, certain tests cannot be carried out. This means that we have to make up for lost time, and there is a possibility that the project will need to be extended.
How do you experience the collaboration with the partners?
The collaboration with the partners is improving steadily. In the beginning we had to feel our way in terms of what each party was looking for, which I think is normal and kind of fun. Companies that make different products, but nevertheless have a lot in common.
Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash