Production - vdma.org

How to introduce AI-based planning systems: from identifying suitable use cases and creating digital foundations to designing agile and human-centered innovation processes.

The transformation of the automotive industry is changing the demands placed on machine tools and production technology. Topics such as automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence are shaping developments.

On July 1, 2025, a specialist workshop on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence in Production" took place at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) as part of NORTEC.

Arriving at a meaningful overall cost picture at an early stage is a challenge for the company divisions involved.

Monthly tracking of the market development of raw materials relevant to valves with a focus on steel and cast iron.

Efficient assembly and significantly minimized project risks: is this just wishful thinking? No! Standardized, digitalized processes help your company to achieve exactly that!

On October 16, 2024, 30 lean management experts met for the VDMA Austria's fourth lean experience exchange in Maria Enzersdorf, Lower Austria, at Koenig & Bauer (AT), the world market leader for banknote printing presses.

Ensure the success of your construction site projects with clear service descriptions. In this executive workshop, our Certified International Senior Project Manager Ralf von Breitenbach will show you how to do this.

Hiding and searching for colorful eggs and chocolate at Easter is great fun for young and old. But when important information is hard to find, the fun in the company stops. A good flow of information is what counts.

In many customer countries, the legal local content requirements have become stricter. But whether it's liability issues or the acquisition of construction site personnel, there are tried-and-tested solutions for the new challenges.

Sharing production resources with other partners offers opportunities for manufacturers and users at the same time. The IMPULS Foundation published the study "Production as a Service" on this topic.

Digitalization and Industry 4.0 make many things seem easier and better, including improving processes in production. But this only becomes successful when viewed through the classic lens of lean management.

In the joint study "Next Generation Manufacturing", management consultants Roland Berger and the VDMA highlight important levers for the successful production of tomorrow. The focus is on the six global trends of sustainability, digitalization, location matters, individualization, populism and industry disruption.

Description

Whether navigation, monitoring or data integration: assistance systems effectively support production. With their help, processes can be optimised and costs reduced at the same time.

Fine machining processes require a lot of feeling. For this reason, many companies still rely on manual operations for grinding or polishing. However, especially in series production, this quickly leads to high costs and uncertainty.

Although expectations of artificial intelligence (AI) are high in industrial companies, it is still little used in production - especially in medium-sized companies. There is a lack of clarity, for example, when it comes to estimating the economic benefits, the applicability in the company's own production environment, and the collection and use of data.

The exchange of data between systems and plants is increasing. A uniform interface standard is therefore tempting. But what does OPC UA have over older interface types - and is it the future?

The VDMA East working groups provide important impulses for your daily work. They show best practice examples, provide valuable suggestions and promote contacts among members - currently also in web meetings.

In view of the increasing number of crises and disruptions, intelligent production planning is more important than ever. At the same time, a survey significantly supported by the WGP (Scientific Society for Production Engineering) has shown that two thirds of companies are not satisfied with their production planning.

Key figures are of essential importance for production processes and have been present in manufacturing and assembly for a long time. The Zentraler Arbeitskreis Produktion (Central Working Group for Production) of VDMA has therefore intensively dealt with what a lowest common denominator of important key figures could look like for the control of production areas in mechanical and plant engineering.

WGP develops assistance for more resilient production. The term resilience has been on everyone's lips since the pandemic at the latest - especially with regard to the future design of industry.

Lean management complements agile methods perfectly. Especially for SMEs - also with batch size 1 - Lean offers exciting starting points. A report about errors and success factors.