Digitalisierung

The phase-out of nuclear energy decided by the politicians and the goal of significantly aligning the energy mix with renewable energies will give the industry great growth potential. Digitalization and the resulting technologies, such as sensors, robotics and assistance systems, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, are helping companies realise their potential. The study “Industrialization of the Wind Industry” by the Technical University of Munich has shown that digitalization will have a positive effect on the “Levelized Cost of Energy” (LCOE).

In times of increasing globalization, international capital and consumer markets get more and more dynamic. To remain competitive, companies have to respond to new requirements and move away from traditional manufacturing concepts. Digitalization offers different technologies and methods to provide a remedy. The following article describes the status quo, as well as future possibilities of Virtual Production with a particular focus on Augmented Reality in the production environment. It gives a comprehensive overview of the current market situation and facilitates strategic investment decisions.

The ongoing digital transformation brings pressure to adapt, but also potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing industry. High investment costs for new technologies, insufficient employee qualifications and a lack of standards are examples of obstacles that explain the reluctance of many SMEs to digitalize. There is therefore a need for SME-specific information, both in terms of possible solutions and specific implementations, as well as support for the initiation and realization of implementation projects. The competence center “Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Textil vernetzt”, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), is intended to meet these needs, illustrate the potential of digitization and networking, and show SMEs how to get there.

Kinematic profile bending processes, such as three-roll profile bending, are known for their high flexibility with regard to the manufacturable contours. However, the low degree of automation and the predominantly manual quality control lead to a high personnel and time expenditure. The Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Darmstadt and Herkules Wetzlar GmbH have carried out an implementation project to record and digitize the contour of curved profiles. With the results achieved, the added value through the implementation of sensor technology in production could be demonstrated.

Comparison and evaluation from research findings of 28 process models considering digitalization measures are presented. Furthermore, our own-developed process model, based upon interviews with professional managers, is reported. Our process model enables managers to deal with technology coming along with industry 4.0, such as the implementation of socio-technologies.

In a previous approach of Lager et al. [1], the development of knowledge, competence and role profiles of employee groups in the course of industry 4.0 was studied. Based on that, the role of the overlapping focus IT is to be examined more closely and the analysis is extended to the tactical level using the example of production planning. In addition, the effects of the need for increased IT competence in all areas of the manufacturing industry on the erosion of current role profile boundaries are presented.