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In 2025, the VDMA and the ZVEI are once again organizing the "Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI" forum at SPS - with exciting presentations and lively panel discussions.

Instead of promoting innovation in the single market, EU digital laws have become hurdles in many places. The EU legislator must therefore use the digital omnibus to fundamentally correct digital regulation.

Part 4 of our series of talks on the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2025: Professor Claus Oetter shows how digital business models and AI are changing the industry - and what role the VDMA is playing in the transformation.

In the exchange of experiences, the topic of AI in the company was discussed from safe application to strategic implementation.

Together with practitioners from industry, the Baden-Württemberg Industry 4.0 Alliance has formulated low-threshold measures for climate-neutral production. These are intended to facilitate the transition in companies.

On July 1, 2025, VDMA Austria held an AI practical day at the KEBA Group in Linz, which attracted a great deal of interest with over 70 participants.

What SMEs need to consider in the context of digital transformation in order to establish and ensure the operational technology security (OT security) of their machines and systems.b

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

September 15 and 16, 2025, Hamburg. Discounted participation for VDMA members.

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.

The whole spectrum of digitalization remains a top issue at EMO Hannover 2025

The new industry expert of the Africa Business Network in Angola identifies concrete business opportunities for German suppliers of food processing machinery, packaging machinery and agricultural technology.

The EU Commission wants to reduce bureaucracy for small-mid caps (SMCs) - for example in the GDPR, the F-Gas Regulation and the Battery Regulation. Larger companies should also benefit - for example through the digitalization of documentation obligations.

The ongoing digital transformation is helping companies to improve existing value propositions and develop new ones.

Risk-based OT security: A practical guide to help plant operators and asset owners get started with risk management and threat evaluation

The VDMA Software and Digitization Association is expanding its offering on the topic of open source software in industry.

A new VDMA white paper shows a roadmap for clear data structures and measurable success. This also enables companies to increase their resilience to supply and market disruptions.

VDMA Austria members met to discuss the future of edge computing

On May 29, 2025, more than 50 industry experts met at the VDMA China Management Meeting at ebm-papst in Shanghai to exchange views on current topics such as intelligent manufacturing and export controls.

The commercial use of space, known as New Space, is opening up new digital business models for the mechanical and plant engineering and software industries - that is the conclusion of the latest episode of the VDMA Industry Podcast.

The digital transformation in mechanical engineering is also reflected in total IT costs, which have been rising at an average rate of 5% per year faster than sales since 2017.

As part of the online event "Generative AI - Identifying potential, seizing opportunities", a survey was conducted among participants on 29.04.25 to obtain an up-to-date picture of the current mood.

MEPC 83 stands for the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The meeting was an important milestone.

Industrial SMEs must also rely on intelligent production processes and artificial intelligence. However, the digital transformation requires a profound change in mentality.

A new VDMA white paper uses case studies to show how artificial intelligence is already being used in processes, products and business models in mechanical and plant engineering.

Industrial security is increasingly important in mechanical engineering as networked systems face growing attacks. The VDMA calls for EU-wide standards and SME support to meet security needs.

How can digital technologies and interoperability make mining more efficient and sustainable?

The EU's action plan emphasizes the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. There is a lot of potential for AI, especially in industrial applications. Small-scale regulations must not stand in the way of this.

In turbulent times, good trade relations are just as important as innovation. With the guest country Canada and the focus on the use of artificial intelligence in production, Hannover Messe 2025 has set the right signals.

A new study shows: The targeted use of Generative Artificial Intelligence can increase the profit margin in mechanical and plant engineering by up to 10.7 percentage points. This corresponds to an additional profit of 28 billion euros.

The glass industry is undergoing a transformation: Digital connectivity, automation, and data-driven process optimization are no longer future concepts but key factors for competitiveness and efficiency.

We honor outstanding companies that demonstrate the innovative strength in Baden-Württemberg with excellent digitalization solutions, highly innovative developments and holistic transformation projects.

Powerful sensor solutions for real-time inline monitoring of the contamination status are essential in order to design cleaning processes completely in line with requirements and thus significantly save production time and cleaning resources.

The "Exo-MCD" is an intelligent robot for automated and reproducible cleaning of systems and production environments.

"CleanAssist": The combination of highly integrated tracking sensor technology, spray cleaning simulation and a digital twin enables reliable quality assurance and consistent documentation for manual cleaning processes.

The continuous development of software-based solutions enables companies to react more agilely to market changes and strengthens their competitive position.

Erleben Sie am 08.-09. Mai 2025 in Wien spannende Vorträge und Podiumsdiskussionen zu Digitalisierungslösungen im Maschinen- und Anlagenbau.

Digitalization and AI are revolutionizing production processes. Real-time data analysis, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance ensure greater efficiency and customer benefits. Discover the future of meat and protein processing!

The Technical Documentation Working Group makes the technical articles available here.

Advancing digitalization has led to software no longer being seen as just a "tool", but as a decisive competitive advantage.

As a result of demographic change, enormous amounts of knowledge are flowing out of companies. This knowledge needs to be preserved and made available to future employees.

Study by the IMPULS Foundation for Engineering Education for Industry 4.0 develops the first target profile for engineers in industry 4.0 Appeal to universities: Making teaching more interdisciplinary New competencies: Computer Science, Data Science and Data Security

Digitalization is driving the mechanical and plant engineering industry forward. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates from Germany and Austria.

On November 28, 2024, VDMA Austria held its annual exchange of experience on Industrial & Product Security in mechanical and plant engineering with 40 participants at the headquarters of the TGW Logistics Group in Marchtrenk.

AMT was founded as a new working group within the VDMA in November 2024. Its Managing Director Daniel Erdmann explains the background in an interview.

VDMA AMT - Advanced Maritime Technology Platform is the new network for automation and digitalization in maritime shipping.

The IMPULS study "Tokenization in mechanical engineering" published today analyses Web3 technologies that promise the industry efficiency gains, new financing models and innovative monetization opportunities.

In view of the current weak new machine business in many areas of mechanical engineering, service has become a significant revenue driver. The use of modern digital platforms in service is correspondingly important.

Industry expects a 16% drop in sales; companies must implement the Cyber Resilience Act; VDMA's Manufacturing-X report

In cooperation with PwC Strategy& (Germany) GmbH, VDMA Software and Digitalization is conducting an online survey among its member companies on the use of GenAI in mechanical engineering.

With the Call for Papers, HANNOVER MESSE is addressing all exhibitors and partners who would like to enrich the content of the forum program at the world's most important industrial trade fair with their contributions.

From March 31 to April 4, 2025, the world's leading trade fair for industry will take place under the motto "Shaping the Future with Technology". VDMA Software and Digitalization members will have the opportunity to present themselves there.

The VDMA spoke to two member companies about this topic and found out why the “human factor” will continue to play an irreplaceable role.

Mechanical engineering is at the data source for Industry 4.0, and secure data rooms are essential for their valuable use.

New opportunities in sales and service for machine manufacturers, flexibility and financial stability for their customers - these are the advantages of value-oriented business models such as pay-per-use and equipment-as-a-service.

VDMA companies are partners for sustainable production. They promote a circular economy with efficient processes and binding rules and call for Germany and the EU to be strengthened as locations for innovation and competitiveness.

Industry 4.0 pursues the introduction of internet technologies in industry with the aim of tapping into new value creation potential through networking and digitalization.

Together with members and partners, the trade association celebrated its 25th anniversary in Würzburg. One thing became particularly clear: the trade association and its topics are playing an increasingly important role in the industry.

The new white paper from VDMA Software and Digitalization is intended to provide member companies with guidance on how to become more familiar with the topic.

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.

A text file on the website for better cyber security? Manufacturers can achieve this with security.txt. A simple and essential step towards addressing vulnerabilities.

The VDMA interviewed two of our member companies to find out why software localization involves much more than the purely linguistic translation of user interfaces.

As part of the online event "Generative AI - exploiting opportunities, minimizing risks", a survey was conducted among the participants on 6 February 24 to obtain a current picture of the mood.

SMARTENANCE aims to harmonize data spaces across different sectors, modernize IoT platforms, demonstrate the performance of multilateral digital value chains and support data space participation.

VDMA Informatik publishes the requirements specification for component manufacturers

The VDMA expert group "Machine Learning / AI" has drawn up a checklist for the use of generative AI, which is intended to provide initial assistance for the application in the company.

AI is playing an increasingly important role for companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. VDMA Software and Digitalization is therefore once again offering an interesting range of formats on the topic for all VDMA members.

As of August 1, 2025, new mandatory cybersecurity requirements apply to radio equipment when being placed on the EU internal market.

Student theses demonstrate the importance and diversity of digitalization opportunities in mechanical engineering

In pharmaceutical companies, the need for fast, lean processes is increasing. In this context, digitization can help shorten market entry times, while maintaining and even improving product quality. However, players must also arm themselves against threats.

On the occasion of the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2023, Produktion magazine asked Hartmut Rauen about Manufacturing-X. In the interview, the Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA explains what it is all about.

Industrial semiconductor demand mainly in larger structures; participation of VDMA Electrical Automation in Manufacturing-X; Electrical Automation sector affected by planned PFAS ban

Digitization is a decisive key in mechanical and plant engineering to ensure the competitiveness of European industry and thus also prosperity in Europe.

BIM World MUNICH enters into a long-term cooperation with the BIM working group in the VDMA.

Digitized and automated processes take the pressure off purchasing. For example, collaboration with suppliers can be made much more efficient. Here are some practical solutions.

As part of the "X-Forge BW" project led by Fraunhofer IPA, a guideline for the use of machine data was created together with well-known companies. This is available for download free of charge.

Taking the metaverse into account is the right thing to do. However, strict EU rules would be an innovation killer. For mechanical engineering, the Industrial Metaverse offers great potential on the way to climate-neutral production and digitization.

Sustainability reports are also gaining central importance for mechanical and plant engineering. Many companies are not yet sufficiently prepared for the new requirements.

Tracking down startup trends and contacts for mechanical engineering worldwide - this is the mission we pursue with our startup scouting services. This is made possible by the Startup Radar project. Find out here how we can help you keep an eye on international startup activity and identify suitable partners.

When people talk about the future of production, they can't do so without using the term "smart factory." But what is it? How does a smart factory work? And what does it have to do with OPC UA?

The new portable demonstrator depicts platform-independent interoperability by implementing OPC UA Companion Specifications.

VDMA found out why it will influence the world of work and how we will work together in the industrial environment in the future in an interview with two of our member companies.

Everyone is talking about ChatGPT - but can it really replace developers?

The VDMA Supply Chain Security specification gives purchasers a standard-compliant aid to minimum requirements in accordance with IEC 62443, simplifying the process for both sides without sacrificing security.

The approach of gamification becomes more and more important for the industry. This is understood to mean the transfer of game-typical elements and processes into non-game contexts. The declared goal is to bring about an increase in motivation and the associated change in behavior among users. But how can the (innate) human play instinct be used meaningfully for corporate purposes?

New white paper shows requirements for store floor IT to achieve successful smart manufacturing.

The event serves as a platform where experts can report on the latest developments and where real exchange is possible - across industries and with a practical focus.

The Weihenstephan Standards (WS) define a communication interface for the standardized transmission of machine and process data to higher-level IT systems. The WS can be implemented quickly and easily in all machines in the food and beverage industry.

List of planned experience exchange events ("ERFA") from the North, VDMA Regional Association North and the Marine Equipment and Systems (MES) working group.

From 10 to 14 September 2024, AMB will take place in Stuttgart with the participation of VDMA Software and Digitalization. Our stand is in hall C2, B50.

VDMA Software and Digitalization and the VDMA initiative "Maschinenhaus" - platform for innovative teaching - are jointly offering the "Digitalization in Mechanical Engineering" Young Talent Award. The award is intended to recognize outstanding final theses by students from engineering and computer science departments who have developed practical solutions for the digital transformation in mechanical and plant engineering.

This VDMA publication "Technical Documentation and Information Management" offers VDMA member companies assistance in line with their motto "intelligent - value-adding - visionary" and provides an overview of the forward-looking possibilities of documentation

New VDMA Software and Digitalization publication now available in German and English for machine and plant builders

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.

Industry 4.0 and digitalisation are primarily associated with networked production and the associated new business models, a high degree of automation and a multitude of possible applications. This requires interoperability between a wide range of machines, components and systems and the provision of all relevant data.

Small and medium-sized companies benefit from research results that they would have no or only limited access to with their own resources. The following article provides an overview of interesting projects.

The project "Porting the Weihenstephan Standards to an OPC UA Companion Specification" was successfully completed with a publication of the OPC UA WS Specification.

VDMA spoke with Patrick Theobald from Peakboard and Florian Rühl from Simplifier about the topic of low code.

The future trends of the meat processing machinery industry depend on various framework conditions such as laws, economic policy, but above all on consumer behavior.

We talked to Sebastian Betzin from generic.de and Wolfram Schäfer from iT Engineering Software Innovations about the topic of software quality and clean code.

How do you get started with this topic? Often, first projects are set up too large and complex and do not lead to a successful conclusion. Therefore, some questions should be answered before starting a project.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technology of the future, it has already arrived in the everyday life of many mechanical engineers. Machine learning solutions in particular are being implemented in various fields of application.

Big Data, Smart Factory, Communication, Individualization, Remote Technologies, Virtualization, Industrial Security, Smart Service - Here we explain what you always wanted to know about the Internet of Things.

New guideline supports mechanical and plant engineering in security in operating processes and resilience of products against cyber attacks and other IT-induced damage in the company.

Spare parts are the backbone of the service business in mechanical and plant engineering. But globalization and digitization threaten this attractive and profitable business.

In 2020, the market environment for large-scale plant engineering was dominated by the effects of the Corona crisis and a slowdown in global economic momentum.

VDMA Working Group Additive Manufacturing launches OPC UA activity

In July 2019, the Air Pollution Control department began developing a Companion Specification for "process air extraction and filtration systems". The aim is to develop a standardized interface for data exchange between process air extraction and filtration systems with each other, with upstream machines, with supporting systems or with higher-level production systems in a manufacturer- and platform-independent communication network.

The activities of the professional associations pump systems as well as compressors, compressed air and vacuum technology are now on their way as official working groups of the OPC Foundation.

Future study shows how progress in measuring and testing technology affects competitiveness. Digitalization and new measuring methods from biology and quantum technology are key factors.

The guide "Self-learning Production Processes - Implementation Strategy for Reinforcement Learning in Industrial Practice" introduces the topic of Machine Learning and shows step by step how an implementation of industrial Reinforcement Learning can be carried out in one's own company. Application examples illustrate the procedure.

VDMA Software and Digitalization has published its new industry guide "Added value through software 2024".

The "Intelligent and self-learning production processes" project investigated how machines can teach themselves optimal processes independently and through interaction with the environment using little data. The ML method "reinforcement learning" was used for this and tested on two applications.

Analysis of 1700 questionnaires shows deficits in specialist knowledge about industry 4.0 Universities must develop curricula for industry 4.0 Employees must be prepared for digital change through further training strategies

The OPC UA Working Group Compressed Air Systems, active since the beginning of 2019, has developed a specification on Main Control Systems/Compressed Air Systems. A scientific project with the TH Cologne supported this effort.

An important basis for the successful introduction of Industry 4.0 is the manufacturer-independent exchange of data in production. The open interface standard OPC UA is increasingly established for this purpose. The VDMA guideline shows how companies can successfully introduce industry 4.0 communication with OPC UA.

New VDMA guideline now available

Companies expect an increase in security incidents - Most frequent consequences: Capital damage and production downtime

Available on Podigee and Spotify

Merging Industrie 4.0 and Lean Management offers great potential for successfully developing companies. The VDMA Guideline is intended to support companies.

The VDMA is building a bridge between mechanical engineering and start-ups and has introduced a new event format for this purpose: the hackathon.

The VDMA Surface Technology Department organizes working groups on industry topics based on the needs of its member companies.