OpenLab Neotex 4.0 Hackathon: Innovation Meets Collaboration in Monastir
From September 23rd to September 27th, 2024, Monastir became a focal point of innovation as the OpenLab Neotex 4.0 hosted the “Let’s Innovate” Hackathon. This five-day event marked a significant achievement for the OpenLab Neotex 4.0 center, bringing together academia, industry, and technology to tackle real-world industrial challenges through digital manufacturing and open-source technology.
The hackathon provided a unique platform for teams to develop impactful solutions with expert guidance from industry specialists and technical coaches. Using the advanced digital manufacturing tools at OpenLab, they brainstormed and built prototypes designed to address today’s critical industry needs. The event concluded on September 27th with the official inauguration of OpenLab Neotex 4.0. Representatives from GIZ Tunisia and the Tunisian Textile Federation attended, celebrating a project focused on textile recycling and waste management that received widespread praise for its innovative approach to sustainability.
Hands-on Training and Future Vision
The collaboration didn’t end with the hackathon. From October 28th to October 30th, participants returned to OpenLab Neotex for an intensive workshop on CNC milling, honing essential skills in open-source hardware and digital fabrication. This workshop underscored the project’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce ready for Tunisia’s Industry 4.0 future.
Through its innovative programs and hands-on training, OpenLab Neotex 4.0 is setting the stage for a new era of sustainable and tech-driven manufacturing in Tunisia. By connecting cutting-edge tools with local expertise, the center aims to foster creativity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving in digital fabrication. This partnership emphasizes the transformative power of collaboration between academic institutions, industry experts, and government initiatives to address pressing challenges and equip Tunisia with the resources and skills needed to drive sustainable progress.
This achievement is the result of two synergistic initiatives:
- The Neotex 4.0 Center Project: An Industry 4.0 competence center for Textile & Clothing (T&H) and Technical Textile (TT) professions, managed by the Pôle de Compétitivité de Monastir EL Fejja (mfcpole) as part of Tunisia’s national initiative “Towards an Industry 4.0 in Tunisia,” with backing from the European Union and GIZ Tunisia under the “Decent Work for a Just Transition” – Invest for Jobs program, mandated by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
- The PISWI Project: A collaborative initiative developed in partnership with Helmut Schmidt University in Germany, the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), the National Engineering School of Monastir (ENIM), and the Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Ksar Hellal (ISET Ksar Hellal). This initiative is dedicated to expanding open-source technology, innovation, and digital fabrication across Tunisia.
Stay tuned as OpenLab Neotex 4.0 continues its journey, driving sustainable innovation and expanding Tunisia’s capabilities in Industry 4.0.
More information here: Textile Industry Solutions | Neotex 4.0 Center
