Josh Weiss (Hexagon): "‘We merge the real and digital worlds in what we call smart change’"

On the occasion of the recent collaboration agreement signed with SEAT, AutoRevista had the opportunity to interview Josh Weiss, president of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division.

AutoRevista - How does Hexagon bring value in collaborations like this one with SEAT?

Josh Weiss.-  We like to establish partnerships with incredibly innovative companies like SEAT with designs as advanced as the CUPRA brand. We bring true digital transformation, merging the real world and the digital world, which is shaping what we at Hexagon call smart change, virtual manufacturing, where a combination of different types of sensors capture the real world and turn it into data to improve productivity.

AR: What is the impact of electrification on smart manufacturing?

J.W.- For years, we have been making a specific effort to align ourselves with the electric vehicle trend in order to be at the forefront in this area. We contribute to dimensional quality throughout the design process of batteries and electric vehicles and also in the production processes. We are really confident that we will be able to leverage these capabilities for SEAT to accelerate its plans and the commercialisation of electric vehicles.

AR: Can this dynamic be extended to the supplier chain?

J.W.- It is possible to extend this dynamic to the supply chain by threading quality-related data along the value chain, including sensors, file formats and data exchange. When there are quality deviations, the data thread helps to troubleshoot and optimise supply chains from a quality perspective.

AR.- Do such agreements apply to the Volkswagen Group?

J.W.- We have a long history of collaboration with the Volkswagen Group and its brands. We have carried out projects with our PRESTO system and we are in a good position to jointly leverage our strengths in new projects in the parameters defined by the Volkswagen Group and its brands.

AR.- From your experience in areas as diverse as Hexagon's divisions in mining or geothermal energy, is it possible to establish synergies?

J.W.- Absolutely. For example, in the industrialisation of the mine. We face a changing environment and dynamics, so there are many parallels with automotive. There is a core technology that we share at Hexagon and what I love about it is that it helps us accelerate innovation curves in different industries, even though some may be more advanced than others. I would say it's a very tactical and pragmatic way of accelerating innovation curves in different industries and markets.

Lea esta entrevista en castellano

Interview published in AutoRevista 2,396