'Digital transformation will only succeed if we work together'

Digitization offers machine builders enormous opportunities for new business models. Automation specialist Lenze and high-tech sheet metal working machine manufacturer TRUMPF are convinced that partnerships and openness are the key to a successful future. Lenze's solutions help SMEs through this transition and support them to generate new revenues.

The future of mechanical engineering lies in digital business models and data-based services. There is consensus on that today. But for SMEs, taking this step is not obvious. The implementation of digital services lags due to the absence in their own ranks of data experts, knowledge and infrastructure. For them, it is all the more important to start insourcing specific knowledge around software engineering, IT and automation, for example through strategic collaboration and an open exchange of data. "Digitization is long-term work that no one can do alone. Only those companies that dare to rely on cooperation and the right partners will build the expertise needed to be successful," says Christian Wendler, CEO of Lenze. Some SMEs are put off by the effort it takes to implement suitable software solutions, "but such an investment is always well spent and will pay off sooner or later," assures Wendler.

Smart data instead of big data

Megatrends such as decarbonization and demographic changes present machine builders with even more challenges. For Wendler, the solution lies in automation. Why, "It's a win-win. It drives digital transformation by bringing information technology right into the machine. At the same time, it lowers the carbon footprint by boosting energy efficiency. And it answers the shortage of skilled labor because it simplifies processes and thus saves time," he explains. Automation, however, needs data. Not massive amounts, but the right, intelligently processed data: smart data. This is precisely the specialty of Lenze's digital experts. Data from the drives and control systems flows into the digital twin, from which they extract small packages of relevant data for analysis so that - with the help of domain knowledge - it can be translated into smart data. The potential to save material, time and energy is immense. By applying digital twins and smart data, companies can cut their energy consumption in half on average, use resources sparingly and achieve greater sustainability in industry.

Open, digital ecosystems are the future

Lenze guides customers through the entire digitization process and strives to work together as partners. Among other things, the company demonstrates this through its involvement in initiatives such as Manufacturing X and Open Industry 4.0 Alliance. The goal of these projects, which work across company and industry boundaries, is to achieve a sovereign, open data space for the exchange of components, expertise and technology. How can we define unified standards? How do machines in factories work together optimally? These and other questions are in the spotlight. "Yesterday's success should not get in the way of tomorrow's," says Thomas Schneider, Managing Director Machine Tool Development at TRUMPF. The company is considered one of the market leaders in machine tools for sheet metal processing and industrial laser technology. Lenze and TRUMPF are pushing forward the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry and are collaborating on technology and implementation concepts within Manufacturing X. "By using data confidentially and collaboratively across the entire production and supply chain, you create more resilience, more sustainability and more competitiveness," Schneider explains. Open automation platforms such as Lenze's Nupano can serve as key technology to increase the competitiveness of SMEs. "For digital transformation to succeed, we need to rethink things, away from the golden cage and toward new ecosystems for more openness, collaboration and growth."

Right solutions

"We also support this change in corporate culture and are proud to have the right solutions in our portfolio to do so," adds Wendler. One of these is the Asset Performance Platform. It combines secure remote access, IoT data capture and dashboarding with also ticket and document management for greater efficiency in diagnostics and personnel changes. The platform thus facilitates collaboration between OEMs and machine operators to offer more services. Nupano also offers opportunities for new business models. This automation platform enables SMEs to equip their machines with apps throughout their life cycle and to manage them easily. Because customers find both the applications and the overview of the machine as a digital twin on the platform, they can bring IT and OT together and realize real added value.