Eumecha - Goals and set-up process

Definition phase and implementation phase

The activities of EUMECHA will start with a definition phase (August 2007 – March 2008), co-ordinated by AGORIA/Manufuture Belgium with the support of Belspo. The resulting action plan and consortium agreement should define the work packages and secure the financing of the project activities during the next two years (March 2008 – March 2010). De definition phase has to result in a network in which the research community and the industry are actively involved. During the implementation phase the creation of industry-oriented EUREKA projects and the preparation of a new EUREKA cluster are the main tasks. From March 2010 on the Eumecha cluster organisation should be operational and able to take over the activities of the Eumecha project.

Goals and expected results

The essential goals of the “Mechatronics and Intelligent Manufacturing” umbrella-like project are:

• Stimulating the initiation of industry-led research projects which are funded following the EUREKA rules.
• Increasing the capability of the relevant industrial and research community to continuously assess the potential innovation impact of new developments, detect the industrial needs and prioritise the roadmaps.
• Creating a viable ‘Mechatronics and Intelligent Manufacturing’ cluster organisation.

The expected results are:

• Ongoing EUREKA research projects initiated by the EUMECHA project. (1)
• A regular mechanism for adjusting and refining roadmaps and detecting industrial research priorities with the EUREKA representatives (and the National and Regional ManuFuture platforms) from the participating countries. These priorities will be fed to the encompassing ManuFuture Platform and to the Framework Programme for the next calls. (2)
• A regular mechanism for identifying best practices in cooperation with the EUREKA representatives (and the National and Regional ManuFuture platforms) from the participating countries. Best practices are very stimulating examples for industrial companies.(3)
• Resulting from that, an updated roadmap and best practice publication promoted yearly at a public networking event. (4)
• A plan for the creation of the new EUREKA cluster and to assure the continuity of this cluster. (5)
• A group of industrial companies and funding organisations willing to support the cluster initiative for a sufficient long period of time. (6)

Items 1), 2), 3) and 4) will be gradually developed from the start of the EUMECHA project. The continuous development of these activities, together with an appropriate governing structure, should create conditions which are favourable to shape the new ‘Mechatronics and Intelligent Manufacturing’ cluster. In parallel the establishment of this cluster will be prepared (Items 5 and 6).