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MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY FEATURE
Despite offering a number of benefits – including greater
transparency, process
stability, efficiency and new business models – many medium-sized companies are still
CHALLENGING TIMES FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
T
imes are challenging in the mechanical engineering sector. Digitalisation could, however, be the answer, whether it leads
to innovation, helps where a company has an idea but no way of implementing it, or even where there is a lack of inspiration. According to Lenze there are seven challenges mechanical engineering companies are facing:
1. Medium-sized machine manufacturers need a data strategy, whether it’s for a networked machine or individual workstations. The big players already have such a strategy. Many mechanical engineering companies are
now focusing on data and making it the core of their digital strategy; but competitors are also thinking about new processes or business models based on data. This data needs to be understood, made available, and be of good quality. It is important to define who to share the data with, when and how, as well as which business models can be used to set it up.
2. The second challenge is real-time simulation. Hardware and simulation must be fully synchronised, which speeds up commissioning, avoids errors, reduces costs and saves time.
3. Identifying opportunities from regulations to make processes more transparent using data. Address requirements such as the Digital Product Passport, and come up with ideas to improve efficiency.
4. AI is more than OpenAI and ChatGPT. Many companies start a proof of concept but often get stuck in this phase. They struggle to understand reinforcement
learning. In this approach, an AI agent learns by interacting with its environment and trying different actions to see what works. It learns to
differentiate rules and optimise problems. They can, however, turn a simple problem
into a big problem, often only because there are tools for complex problems. As there is a lack of broad industrialisation of AI use cases, a new breed of service provider will therefore emerge: AI integrators. However, many companies are clearly finding it difficult to track down use cases.
5. AI is changing processes, but also organisations. People who currently perform tasks without AI will have to actively utilise the technology in the future. This means there will be a shortage of skilled labour, and the existing workforce will have to take on new, different, tasks. Most mechanical engineering companies will therefore need to thoroughly train their employees and create new job profiles.
6. There is a lack of digitalisation or AI talent. There is often confusion between mechanical engineers and AI experts. When companies want to start using AI for their
products, they usually hire three PhD candidates first. These, however, may want to carry out research and not necessarily develop a market- ready product. A tip:mechanical engineers
must develop collaboratively across company boundaries if resources are lacking. In addition, many companies lack an open- source strategy for using software and working together on development projects. Basic developments no longer need proprietary systems.
7. OT and IT belong together. Companies need to strengthen
FEBRUARY 2025 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 17
lacking a digitalisation strategy. Here Lenze guides us through seven challenges currently
facing the mechanical engineering sector
their IT capabilities as the lines between different areas blur. This not only means having modern hardware that meets current IT needs, but also understanding the basics of cyber security and its importance for business. Machine builders need to develop a patch strategy and implement new cyber regulations.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION The tasks faced by mechanical engineers are huge, but not insurmountable. However, mechanical engineering will not be able to avoid collaboration with suppliers and even competition. As a result, it is important to consider the
digitalisation of the business model and cyber security right from the product development stage. Here, it helps to develop ideas together with customers and get suppliers on board. This is where Lenze comes in, by collaborating with its customers and developing solutions for mechanical engineering with them. Find out how the company can help you by visiting the website.
Lenze
www.Lenze.com
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