Ready for the technologies of tomorrow

Science Park Weiherhammer (Photo: nora systems)

Science Park Weiherhammer (Photo: nora systems)

The construction industry is booming, and many craft businesses can hardly keep up with orders. They mainly have one problem: the shortage of skilled workers. This has nearly doubled over the past decade and is currently at a record level – worldwide. (1) There is a lack of Nachwuchs, especially mechanics and electricians are urgently needed, also in the DACH region. Many companies, as well as educational providers, have now recognized how important it is to invest in attractive training that appeals to Nachwuchs-Handwerker and prepares them for the challenges of technological change. A flagship project for such future-proof training is the Science Park C4 in Weiherhammer in eastern Bavaria. On the site of an old brickworks, a highly modern educational center has been built here in recent years. In 2021, the second construction phase was completed with the training workshop of the cross-company educational center in eastern Bavaria (ÜBZO), which includes conventional and digital training areas, and with the Future Lab, where future specialists learn the theoretical knowledge for their future fields of activity. The highest quality standards were also applied to the interior design – especially for the flooring. Because it had to be extremely resistant and also fireproof, as metal shavings from the operation of lathes and milling machines in the workshop areas can reach temperatures of up to 200°C and fall onto the floor. Additionally, the flooring in the "Future Lab" and workshops should be visually uniform. The architect and the client found the solution in Weinheim: The Norament grano rubber tiles, which were laid over approximately 2,000 square meters, are as robust as they are durable and also allow for a cohesive design across different functions.

Good experiences with rubber floors in workshops

The high-tech orientation of the training is reflected in the architecture of the building – quite literally. Behind the mirrored glass facade is the spacious entrance area of the "Future Lab," which is divided into the Holodeck, Digital Twin, and Education sections. Here, industrial processes are simulated with the help of the latest hardware and software and visualized using Virtual Reality (VR). The highlight is the VR Holodeck, which allows participants to move independently and together in the virtual space. The furniture, stage, and media technology with large monitors also make it possible to hold workshops and events in the "Future Lab." "Before the construction began, we looked at the Norament floors in the workshops of a reference project with the builders and learned from the users there that the rubber tiles also perform excellently under high loads in the long term, and they are very satisfied with the flooring," reports architect Dietmar Auer from Auer Facility Management GmbH, who was responsible for the renovation.

Extremely resistant and fireproof

In the "Future Lab," a part of the 3.5-millimeter-thick Norament tiles was installed on double floors so that the cables and lines underneath are always accessible. The light gray coverings fit perfectly into the color scheme of white-gray-black. LED light strips integrated into the floor delineate the areas of Holodeck, Digital Twin, and Education within the "Future Lab." Next is the building section of the training workshop. Here, apprentices learn to produce complex workpieces automatically with high precision using control technology. In the rear part of the building are the conventional processing machines and workbenches for sheet metalworking, where theoretical knowledge is put into practice. "The flooring in metal and sheet metalworking had to be not only resistant and easy to maintain but also fireproof due to the glowing hot shavings that can fall from the lathes and milling machines," describes Auer regarding the requirements. Thanks to their extremely dense surface, Norament tiles are highly wear-resistant, and even heavy tools falling onto them cause no damage. Since they do not need to be coated, the coverings can be cleaned easily and economically. Additionally, Nora rubber floors are difficult to ignite (Bfl-s1 according to EN 13501-1), and the smoke gases produced in a fire are non-toxic according to DIN 53436.

High ergonomics for a health-promoting work environment

"Norament tiles are comparable in their resistance to hard substrates, but the major advantage is their permanent elasticity and the resulting high ergonomic comfort – backs and joints are protected," explains Martina Hoock, Nora market segment specialist for education. "This aspect is especially important at standing workstations for a healthy working environment." Auer also confirms this: "We already learned from the users of the reference project that they appreciate the comfortable walking and standing on the elastic Nora floors – and this is also the feedback from the apprentices at the Weiherhammer training workshop."

(1) Source: https://www.manpowergroup.de/-/media/project/manpowergroup/manpowergroup/manpowergroup-germany/studien_pdf/mpg_fachkraeftemangel_2019_whitepaper.pdf