At Digital Talks 2019, I chatted to science and technology journalist, Katherine Templar-Lewis, about the gap between industrial domain knowledge and technology expertise, and how closing this gap can help manufacturers de-risk their Industry 4.0 strategy. To find out how digital technology could align to your strategy, visit our Digital Experience Centre in Manchester. Register […]

When it comes to the networking of machinery and equipment, everything is usually sunshine and roses: Fully developed and reliable bus systems, such as PROFINET, ensure a trouble-free communication. However, in order to keep dark clouds away from the communication with the cloud, there are now new concepts for connecting the field level. Background Higher […]

At Digital Talks 2019, I chatted to science and technology journalist, Katherine Templar-Lewis, about the journey of continuous improvement that the Congleton factory is on To find out more and request to see the Congleton factory in action, click here

The processes of machine tool manufacturing and operation are moving closer together. “Virtual spaces” are being created where machine builders and operators can design, coordinate, and implement customized solutions. As I explained in my last article, machine tool operators – and especially contract CNC manufacturing companies – will need to reconfigure their businesses in order […]

“Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.” Mention this legendary quote of Henry Ford’s to manufacturers in 2019 and you’ll barely get a weary smile. In a world of endless new digital possibilities, consumers are demanding products that are increasingly customized – and preferably […]

Often the ability of a smart factory is described as collecting data, analyzing and understanding them, aggregating them to meaningful information and predicting future events and finally even deriving decisions from them to influence and stabilize the future state-of-the-art process. In consequence, to succeed in regard to becoming a smart factory definitely depends strongly on […]

Ready for a journey to the world of machine tools? Boring? I promise you not! You may not be aware, but you would not be able to read this text on your laptop or mobile phone without them. And forget about the coffee you might have thought of drinking just now. Yes, it’s true – […]

The Schaeffler Group-owned special machinery department, a globally operating automotive and industrial supplier, is one of the major manufacturers of customized production facilities, also in comparison to the external market. More than 1,800 employees at 16 locations develop, construct and maintain the special machinery used in Schaeffler plants worldwide, especially assembly systems, testing equipment and […]

Why data consistency is key How many brand-new factories with a state-of-the art IT/OT infrastructure are built each year?  Quite a number, I am sure. But in most cases, our customers are facing the challenge to upgrade or extend existing production lines or plants. With our concept of Totally Integrated Automation we started a couple […]

“Can you imagine running an entire combined cycle power plant with no staff?” One of our colleagues welcomed us into the office with this question a while ago. The question had come up when customers expressed this need due to increasing competitive pressure in their markets. Even though this idea had already been floated in […]