Digitalization & Industry 4.0 - vdma.org

Digital transformation is becoming a key issue for success in mechanical and plant engineering. The new short study "Success factors of digital business models" highlights options for action for companies.

The new white paper from VDMA Software and Digitalization is intended to provide member companies with guidance on how to become more familiar with the topic.

Digital transformation of the industry needs a complete digital ecosystem. Data collection, processing, business models and data protection are the key challenges.

The VDMA Industrial Security Working Group publishes the OT Risk Cookbook

From February 17, 2025: Improved modeling, calculation and optimization of drive systems and transmission elements.

Ensure safety and interoperability

Imparting technical knowledge – Experts advise you individually

The joint project RoX is dedicated to building a digital ecosystem that enables the use of innovative AI-based robotic solutions in practice-relevant applications and industries.

Advancing digitalization has led to software no longer being seen as just a "tool", but as a decisive competitive advantage.

With the aim of establishing an open standard for optical sorters, a kick-off meeting was held at VDMA Frankfurt on November 26, 2024.

New requirements apply to products with digital components. Manufacturers must now ensure cyber security throughout the entire product life cycle - even for integrated software! An update on responsibilities and deadlines.

Interoperability standards and federated data space structures play a crucial role in the context of digital transformation and Industry 4.0. The VDMA and its Brazilian partners organized a roadshow in Brazil on this topic.

2024 was an eventful and successful year for the MII department. We achieved important milestones in various areas with and for our members.

Traditionally, simulations of transmission systems are based on idealized models that are based on nominal values.

Anyone who needs a spare part is in a hurry. The part number is not always immediately to hand, especially when installed or under operating conditions.

The workshop series of the Effizienz-Agentur NRW (efa) provides practical support for the NRW mechanical and plant engineering industry when entering into circular business models - this offers enormous potential even in times of crisis.

What are the challenges for mechanical engineering due to generational change? What concrete methods and techniques are available for companies to combat the loss of knowledge? What does AI do for us?

Digitalization is driving the mechanical and plant engineering industry forward. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates from Germany and Austria.

From June 2025, new accessibility requirements will be imposed on products and services in accordance with the German Accessibility Strengthening Act. But is the law also relevant for mechanical and plant engineering?

On November 28, 2024, VDMA Austria held its annual exchange of experience on Industrial & Product Security in mechanical and plant engineering with 40 participants at the headquarters of the TGW Logistics Group in Marchtrenk.

The results of the VDMA-survey clearly show that there are still a lot of legal uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Data Act.

We, the Micro Technologies department of VDMA EMINT, would like to create a research guide for our members with relevant research institutes from the world of microtechnology. The aim is to give our members an overview of the research landscape and thus an easy tool for finding potential project partners.

Carbon management is a central key to achieving climate targets and highlights the important role of mechanical and plant engineering in implementing appropriate solutions.

After the very weak economy in 2024, hopes are pinned on markets picking up in 2025 / Politicians must set business-friendly framework conditions

On November 21, 2024, the assistance working group took place at VOSS Fluid GmbH in Wipperfürth, where the topic planning for 2025 was discussed.

The OPC UA standard has become an integral part of modern sheet metal production. The universal interface technology enables your machines to communicate securely and in a standardized way with connected IT systems.

In the fast-moving world of Industry 4.0, interoperability between different systems and devices is crucial. Our hackathon was dedicated to precisely this topic: the integration of OPC UA.

Open interface definitions are also becoming increasingly important in intralogistics. The models developed in the M2X research project are an example of this. What is their focus compared to other specifications on the market?

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 20.11.2024. The act is an EU Regulation that has legal effect in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) without national implementation.

AMT was founded as a new working group within the VDMA in November 2024. Its Managing Director Daniel Erdmann explains the background in an interview.

VDMA AMT - Advanced Maritime Technology Platform is the new network for automation and digitalization in maritime shipping.

In order to prepare SMEs in NRW for the challenges of cyber security and to sustainably improve the IT security landscape, the state of NRW has created a NIS2 contact point that NRW companies can use.

The IMPULS study "Tokenization in mechanical engineering" published today analyses Web3 technologies that promise the industry efficiency gains, new financing models and innovative monetization opportunities.

The Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) has prepared an application paper on the provisions of the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Regulation) that are relevant for employers.

In view of the current weak new machine business in many areas of mechanical engineering, service has become a significant revenue driver. The use of modern digital platforms in service is correspondingly important.

The ‘Circular Production NRW’ funding programme is supporting innovative projects for sustainable, resource-efficient and circular value creation in SMEs with 21 million euros.

A business service is fully liable for incorrect information about companies generated by AI if an error-prone system is deliberately used and responsibility for the content is assumed.

The event will focus on the integration of metaverse technologies such as digital twins, virtual reality and artificial intelligence in industrial production and logistics.

Industry expects a 16% drop in sales; companies must implement the Cyber Resilience Act; VDMA's Manufacturing-X report

CECE Congress 2024 brought together industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders to discuss the future of the European construction equipment sector.

The document "Players in the industrial data economy" shows which companies are involved in which projects relating to the data economy. The aim is to enable better networking and learning from each other - both throughout Germany and in Europe.

In cooperation with PwC Strategy& (Germany) GmbH, VDMA Software and Digitalization is conducting an online survey among its member companies on the use of GenAI in mechanical engineering.

VDMA AMT – Advanced Maritime Technology Platform is the network for automation and digitalization in maritime shipping.

With LIGNA.connectivity, LIGNA 2025 focuses on digitalization and networking - for higher productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Discover innovative solutions for the success of today and tomorrow.

Focus on the data economy: the launch of the SCALE-MX transfer project aims to disseminate the results of the Manufacturing-X projects across industry.

FVA GmbH has released the latest update of mechanicus - the web tool for calculating drives. The highlight is the feature for calculating cutting forces.

With the Call for Papers, HANNOVER MESSE is addressing all exhibitors and partners who would like to enrich the content of the forum program at the world's most important industrial trade fair with their contributions.

From March 31 to April 4, 2025, the world's leading trade fair for industry will take place under the motto "Shaping the Future with Technology". VDMA Software and Digitalization members will have the opportunity to present themselves there.

The VDMA spoke to two member companies about this topic and found out why the “human factor” will continue to play an irreplaceable role.

Mechanical engineering is at the data source for Industry 4.0, and secure data rooms are essential for their valuable use.