Safety

Production is leaving Earth. As access to space becomes increasingly affordable and reliable, the idea of manufacturing in space is evolving from science fiction to a real industrial strategy. In this interview, Jan Wörner, who has headed not only the German Aerospace Center (DLR) but also the European Space Agency (ESA) for many years, talks about strategic opportunities and regulatory challenges.

The growing demand for battery cells offers significant potential for the use of digital solutions in their manufacture, which in turn creates opportunities for added value through adaptive and flexible production systems. A key enabler is interoperable data exchange based on formalized data descriptions. Existing ontologies and information models remain too abstract for direct implementation. This paper presents a requirements analysis of data standards in battery cell manufacturing. A procedure for developing domain-specific standards based on OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is derived from the results.

Digital twins connect physical and digital systems, furthering efficiency, enabling predictive maintenance, and allowing the production of more customized products. Despite these advantages, challenges such as high costs, data synchronization, and security risks hinder widespread adoption. This article explores the potential of digital twins and examines key barriers to integration and implementation, also considering some industrial applications including additive manufacturing as a relevant use case.

The intensive use of the term microservice calls for a theoretical analysis of the technology. Since service-oriented architecture approaches have produced rather disappointing results, the focus should be on the advantages of microservices. This article questions which principles justify the use of microservices as a system architecture. So far, some of the advantages mentioned in the examined literature have not been further explained or defined. There is also a lack of key figures for measuring success.

The constant advance of digitalization confronts companies with new challenges and opportunities. Immediate data processing is now ubiquitous and the advantages are obvious. However, broadband coverage in Germany is insufficient, which makes it difficult to improve processes. Mathematical approaches and machine learning enable timely optimization and smooth production.

In industrial assembly, humans are working more closely with machines due to assembly assistance. However, despite their great potential, the implementation of digital systems is time-consuming, which entails high training requirements. Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, are reaching their limits. A newly developed setup system is designed to facilitate the introduction and use of such assembly assistance systems and increase their acceptance.

Every day there are cyber attacks in the industrial sector − only the most spectacular incidents make the headlines. Like the attack on the automotive supplier Continental last summer or on the commercial vehicle supplier SAF-Holland in March this year. The financial damage caused by such attacks and the loss of trust among customers and employees are enormous. As protection against cyber attacks, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) now recommends that companies use a browser with so-called virtualised instances for the first time. This is because most attacks enter company networks via the internet. Such a browser can systematically keep attackers out of the network and is therefore a particularly effective protection.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make a major contribution to the future viability of our economy and society—whether by improving existing processes or new products and services that promise greater efficiency, more robust structures and more climate protection. At present, however, SMEs in particular are still reluctant to use AI systems. The frequently cited reason is that data protection hurdles appear to be too high. This article discusses the opportunities of data-based value creation. The central question is how AI applications in industry can generate economic added value from data while maintaining data protection and security.

The number of successful cyber attacks on industrial manufacturing is constantly increasing due to the growth of digitalization and networking. IT security certifications are an effective means against these attacks and at the same time create confidence in and comparability of IT security about production and IT products. This article compares certification standards such as ISO/IEC 15408 - Common Criteria (CC) and specific standards for mobile communications (including NESAS CCS-GI), of GSM Association (GSMA) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for testing depth and efficiency. (Only in German)