Systems are demonstrated on screen in 3D

The company

Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH is one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative blow molding technologies. The development and manufacture of production solutions for the production of top quality plastic products such as gasoline cans, water bottles for drinking water dispensers or children's toys are the core competence of the company, which was founded in 1935.

Courage, innovation, a love of experimentation and enthusiasm for technology are part of the DNA of Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH and still characterize its actions today.

Digital trade fair presence

In keeping with these attributes, the company is now breaking new ground and presenting its product portfolio purely digitally for the first time at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf.

“Experience the Difference is our motto for this year's K trade fair,” says Dominik Wehner, Global Head of Corporate and Marketing Communications at Kautex Maschinenbau.

"For us, the 3D platform from Vuframe is the ideal tool to show our production solutions to our customers in an innovative way. At the same time, we are investing in a flexible and sustainable solution with Vuframe. Customers who are not traveling to the trade fair can experience our technology virtually. In addition, the platform is also available to us after the trade fair and supports our sales team in presenting our solutions." "

Dominik Wehner, Global Head of Corporate and Marketing Communications at Kautex Maschinenbau

The requirements for the digital solution were high, as it must be possible to react flexibly to changes nowadays. The basic expectations included simple handling, attention to detail of machines and complex systems as well as simple implementation of the software in order to be ready for use anywhere in a timely manner.

With the unique 3D platform from Vuframe, Kautex brought the necessary know-how in-house to realize the transition from the traditional, analog trade fair stand to modern product presentation through high-resolution and interactive 3D demos without great effort.

The Challenge

To this day, participation in trade fairs is an essential part of sales and marketing measures in order to create an appealing product presentation and thus increase visibility in the market.

However, every trade fair involves a high degree of risk: problems with logistics, punctual delivery and setting up the exhibits are just some of the challenges that such trade fair participation entails.

The machines had to be completely dismantled and reassembled at the exhibition venue at great logistical expense. The situation is the same when it comes to returning the machines at the end of each trade fair. The company had also long wanted to break new ground in this area as part of its own sustainability goals and high CO2 emissions.

The pandemic added another major uncertainty factor due to the constant postponement of trade fair dates.

A prominent example of this is the Chinaplas trade fair in Shenzhen. It is considered the largest and most influential trade fair for plastics and rubber in Asia. One month before the start of the trade fair, it was postponed indefinitely. The costs, time and planning had to be borne by the exhibitors themselves.

Planning security was also a decisive reason for Kautex to switch to the 3D platform solution from Vuframe.

Long lead times and planning for the logistical implementation of the exhibits are now a thing of the past. In addition, the CO2 content is virtually zero.

The ability to plan and react quickly to changes in scheduling and last-minute changes to trade fair dates also extends the opportunities for sales, as it is possible to visit potential customers directly on site at any time.

All data and visual details in the form of 3D demos can be presented via the app using Vuframe's 3D platform.

The solution

The following solutions are now available for Kautex:

Professional Studio

• Step uploader for the independent creation of SmartVu's

• App Editor for managing the mobile app

Mobile app (iOS & Android)

• Premium app with its own layout

• Localization addon (automatic switch to Chinese language version based on the device language)

Virtual Reality / VR app (for VR glasses Oculus / Meta Quest 2)

• Selection and view of various machines in an industrial scenario, inspection of individual machines

With the Professional Studio, the Communications Team can now manage the 3D data (digital twins) of the previously physical trade fair exhibits in the simplest possible way. Designed as a modular system, the Studio can be managed like a standard CMS content management system. This means that it not only allows users to manage and continuously update the current applications and visualizations, but also enables them to create further visualizations based on the CAD data available from the constructions, even without programming or 3D knowledge.

The mobile app for tablets and smartphones allows sales staff to present the entire product portfolio anywhere and at any time in a modern and appealing way, while at the same time ensuring a faster and better understanding of the complex systems and machines. Even more detailed and informative than was previously possible at trade fairs.

With the VR app (virtual reality) and the corresponding VR glasses, visitors can now experience the digital twins of the individual machines up close. The virtual reality solution is not only a visitor magnet at the trade fair stand, it also allows Kautex visitors to walk through the machines in a virtual environment.

Well positioned for the future

By switching from real exhibits to digital twins, Kautex is taking on a pioneering role in the plastics manufacturing industry. It can be assumed that this step will trigger reactions from both customers and competitors, who have to contend with the same risks and problems as Kautex to date.