'Digital transformation can only be a success by working together'

Digitalization offers machine builders enormous opportunities for new business models. Automation specialist Lenze and high-tech company Trumpf are convinced that partnerships and openness are the keys to a successful future.

The future of the manufacturing industry lies in digital, data-based business models and services. This is now widely known. But small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular find it difficult to implement digital services due to a lack of specialized personnel, expertise and infrastructure. This makes it all the more important to share specific knowledge in the areas of software engineering, IT and automation - for example, through strategic collaboration and open exchange of data.

Collaboration

"Digitization is a huge project that is difficult to tackle completely on your own as a company. Only companies that rely on cooperation with the right partners to build new expertise will be successful," said Christian Wendler, CEO of Lenze. "Some SMEs are put off by the difficulty of implementing suitable software solutions. But the investment will definitely pay off sooner or later," he assures.

Smart data instead of big data

Digitalization is not the only structural transformation. Megatrends such as decarbonization and demographic changes also pose challenges for machine builders. For Wendler, the solution lies in automation. "Automation is a win-win situation for everyone. It drives digital transformation because it brings information technology into the machines. It reduces the carbon footprint because it increases energy efficiency. And it solves the shortage of skilled technicians by simplifying processes and saving working time."

Smart data

Automation needs data. Not huge amounts, but correct, intelligently processed data: smart data. This is exactly the specialty of Lenze's digital experts, Wendler says. "Data from drives and control systems enter digital twins and they extract small packets of relevant data before analyzing them. They then transform them as smart data using domain knowledge. The potential to save material, working time and energy with this is very high. Companies can thus reduce their energy consumption by up to 50 percent, they can save on raw materials and ensure greater sustainability in the industry."

Open, digital ecosystems

Lenze accompanies customers throughout the digitization process and sees cooperation with partners as an important key to success. This is also evident in the company's involvement in the Manufacturing X and Open Industry 4.0 Alliance initiatives. The goal of these cross-company and cross-industry projects is to create an independent, open data space for the exchange of components, expertise and technologies. "How do we define uniform standards? How do machines in factories work together optimally? These are important questions to ask. Yesterday's successes should not get in the way of tomorrow's successes. We need new partnerships, business models and a modern mindset to be successful together in the industry," said Thomas Schneider, Director of Machine Tool Development at Trumpf, specialist in machine tools for flexible machining and industrial laser technology.

Both companies, Trumpf and Lenze, are driving the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. They are working together on technologies and implementation concepts as part of Manufacturing X. "Being able to use data confidently and collaboratively throughout the production and supply chain means greater resilience to disruption, more sustainable operations and greater competitiveness," explains Schneider. 

Solutions

Lenze is already offering solutions for this different way of working. Wendler: "One of the solutions is the Asset Performance Platform. It combines secure remote access, IoT data collection, a user-friendly dashboard, ticket and document management, and leads to greater efficiency in troubleshooting and/or personnel changes. The platform facilitates collaboration between OEMs and machine operators and enables service expansion. The Nupano open automation platform provides scope for new business models. It enables SMEs to equip machines with applications that allow them to easily manage their entire lifecycle. This setup also allows them to combine IT with OT, generating real added value."