Digitalization & Industry 4.0 - vdma.eu

OPC UA Companion Specifications for battery cell production are currently being developed as part of the ENLARGE research project.

The aim of the joint project is to digitally describe, network and optimize fluid power components and systems over their entire life cycle - based on the Asset Administration Shell as a digital fluid power twin.

Unlike traditional data analysis, causal AI goes beyond simply recognizing patterns and reveals actual cause-and-effect relationships

The CRA fundamentally changes the security requirements in mechanical engineering. What obligations will manufacturers now face and how should companies prepare for them? However, the CRA is not just a regulation, but above all an opportunity.

As part of the "Industrial Metaverse" information day, a short survey on the topic was conducted on 19.11.25 to obtain a current picture of the mood in companies.

The world's leading industrial trade fair will open its doors from 20 to 24 April 2026. VDMA Software and Digitalisation is once again offering its member companies the opportunity to present themselves at a joint stand.

A lack of trust is a problem for a flourishing data economy. This article describes the role that data trust models play in this context and when they can be a useful addition to data rooms.

The mechanical and plant engineering industry is increasingly confronted with complex digital EU requirements.

Circular economy as an opportunity: CIRCO workshops support companies in becoming more resilient through circular product design and new business models.

At the same time as the Digital Omnibus, the EU Commission has also published the non-binding model contractual terms on data access and data use under the Data Act. Below we provide information on the structure and use of the templates.

Update! The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) entered into force on december 11th 2024. The VDMA has compiled a new version of the FAQ document to provide support and non-binding guidance to its members.

10.12.2025 - The "SiMon" 2025 security monitor was conducted jointly by VDMA, Messe Essen and VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH.

80% of companies consider AI to be of considerable strategic importance for internal processes, products and services, 43% already use AI solutions, 53% expect an increase in turnover of up to 5% in the next 3 years.

Mechanical engineering is gaining speed and precision with artificial intelligence. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates for the "Digitalization in Mechanical Engineering" prize for young talent.

As part of the online event "Generative AI in industry - potential meets practice", a survey was conducted among the participants on 25.11.25 to obtain an up-to-date picture of the current mood.

Every 6 months the International Vision Standardisation Community meets to discuss machine vision standards.

The ARC Industry Leadership Forum is one of the most important industry gatherings for industrial leaders worldwide.

China unveils its 2025–2030 blueprint to digitize the machinery industry: Accelerating smart factories, intelligent equipment, and AI-driven services. What this means for mechanical engineering.

The EU Commission presented its plans for the Digital Omnibus on November 19, 2025. This contains proposals to simplify digital regulation. In this article, we take a look at the changes to the Data Act and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Some may already have heard of the 10²³ FLOP rule for classifying AI as “General Purpose AI”, but how does this actually work? Here we provide answers.

SPS 2025 has once again shown that efficient networking of supply and value chains is essential in order to sustainably strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of German industry - also in an international context.

VDMA members receive an exclusive 50-page overview of the most important ongoing and completed data room projects in Germany and Europe. One aim is to promote the exchange of experience between the players.

The aim of the Manufacturing-X - Next Stage of Industry 4.0 conference was to raise awareness of Manufacturing-X in Poland and to get Polish players excited about the topic and encourage them to get involved.

With over 110 guests at the VDMA, the Manufacturing-X Info Day was a complete success. Challenges, opportunities and practical ways of connecting to data ecosystems were highlighted - from a variety of perspectives.

At BV Flachglas, leading companies presented the advantages of OPC UA, CS 40301, and VDMA Standard Sheet 24124 in a webinar: uniform interfaces for greater efficiency, safety, and future-proofing in glass production.

With the Digital Omnibus, the EU wants to tackle three laws at the same time and thus create initial relief for the industry. However, this is not enough to ensure Europe's competitiveness as a digital location.

Sales growth of 1 percent forecast for 2025; data economy as the key to new business models; material selection via digital tool: VDMA supports expansion of the materialHUB platform

The digital transformation in mechanical and plant engineering continues to gather pace and is being driven to a large extent by customer requirements.

In an interview with the VDMA, Arnaud Joubel from Pellenc ST talks about interoperability, Industry 4.0 and how far the recycling industry has already come in this context.

The draft of the NIS-2 Implementation and Cybersecurity Strengthening Act (NIS2UmsuCG) introduced by the German government was passed by the Bundestag today.

How can the scalable, secure and sovereign networking of industrial data rooms succeed? This question was the focus of the ZVEI's Factory-X Day 2025 on October 10, 2025 in Frankfurt.

The digital transformation in mechanical and plant engineering is progressing - and with it, the need for consistent, standardized communication between machines, components and IT systems is growing.

Interoperability as a prerequisite for Industry 4.0: In the industrial production of the future, data is not just a by-product, but a central production factor.

From calipers to multidimensional coordinate measuring machines: The Companion Specification (CS) for Geometric Measurement Systems (GMS) aims to provide a standardized OPC UA interface for measurement systems in industrial environments.

The umati stand at the SPS - Smart Production Solutions trade fair (Hall 5, Stand 238) will be a showcase for the future of industrial networking.

How can digital services in glass machinery manufacturing be successfully monetized? This was the central question addressed by the Forum Glass Technology on 21 October 2025 at HEGLA GmbH & Co. KG in Beverungen.

Since September 12, 2025, the EU Data Act has been in force - a law that regulates access to and use of data. For agriculture, this means that farmers will have more rights to the data from their machines and sensors.

Good things come to those who wait: the German Federal Cabinet has passed the necessary German Data Act Implementing Act.

In the future, robots with a human resemblance could perform many tasks for which automation has not yet been worthwhile. Humanoid robots are being tested in more and more applications - but the road to market maturity is still a long one.

Experts from industry and research will discuss the future viability of SMEs with you at the Manufacturing-X info event on November 19. Find out here who you can talk to.

How sovereign data spaces are changing mechanical engineering: Find out below and on 19.11.2025 at the Manufacturing-X Info Day in Frankfurt how SMEs can benefit from digital data ecosystems - in a practical, strategic and future-oriented way.

The new launch of the High-Tech Agenda is convincing, now it is speed and its impact that counts. More 'Research for Industry' is the order of the day, as is the transfer of results to a broad range of companies.

Industrial robots are the central components of digital and networked production.

Innovation meets sustainability: at K 2025, companies from all over the world showed how digitalization, the circular economy and new technologies are driving the industry forward.

In the past, a lot of effort had to be made to enable machines to talk to each other. Today, one standard language is enough: OPC UA. Lenze has integrated it into control systems, visualizations and engineering tools.

Interview with Dr. Harald Weber, Managing Director, VDMA Large-scale Plant Engineering and Leon Stadler, Senior Manager, Strategy&

The EU-Commission has published the formal withdrawal of the AILD proposal in the EU Official Journal. The VDMA welcomes this official step.

The EU's Apply AI strategy is sending out the right signals: artificial intelligence must be used where it creates real benefits - in the real economy. Mechanical engineering is the linchpin here.

You are planning to use AI in your machine – but when does your system fall into the ‘high-risk category’ of the AI Regulation? Our guide will help you answer this question step by step.

The EU Commission has launched a survey on the Digital Omnibus—a law that aims to simplify EU digital regulations. The VDMA is participating and calling upon the EU to be bold in simplifying.