FOCUS ON MACHINE TOOLS
The Spring Meetings Gala Dinner at Edinburgh Castle .
Alessandro Liani pointed out that digital technologies are essential for SMEs to be part of the discussion and stay ahead in the race for innovation .
Michael Merkle ( moderating the discussion ), highlighted that industry must take advantage of the valuable opportunities that digital transformation brings and ensure that the right framework is in place for businesses to successfully operate in the next few years .
“ Technology is changing at an increasingly fast pace and digital manufacturing is gradually replacing traditional production methods . The whole manufacturing mindset will need to shift and view threats as growth opportunities . The new era of Industry 5.0 is going to focus on a human-centric , resilient and sustainable future ,” emphasised Rab Scott , Chief Engineer for Digital , High- Value Manufacturing at Catapult , in his introductory speech .
Observing the challenges that digital transformation brings , Anna Hultin Stigenberg , CLC North , EIT Manufacturing ,
underlined workforce issues and the implementation of new technologies as two of the biggest obstacles . However , she stressed that a collaborative approach and partnerships are key to providing support to industry to tackle ongoing challenges . She highlighted some of the main programmes that EIT Manufacturing offers such as access to market , access to finance , mentoring and training programmes .
Bringing the perspective of SMEs , Alessandro Liani ( CEO , Video Systems Srl ), highlighted that , to overcome the challenges that small businesses are facing , policymakers should focus their activities on investments in digital infrastructure and Digital Innovation Hubs .
Offering insights from the Commission ’ s side , Sean O ’ Regain ( Deputy Head of Industry- 5.0 at DG RTD , European Commission ) said that advanced manufacturing in the EU can be considered a knowledge hub with a strong research skills base that supports advances in several areas of the sector . To bridge the gap between R & D and market uptake , the EU created different partnership programmes and established relations between universities
Anna Hultin Stigenberg , CLC North , EIT Manufacturing .
and industry players . David Blanchard , Deputy Head of Digital Transformation of Industry , DG GROW , European Commission , pointed out that the European Commission must interact directly with various stakeholders to ensure the adoption of well-coordinated regulations that will not hamper market growth or the innovation potential of manufacturing industries .
Andrew Hodgson , Strategic Lead for Digitalisation , Siemens , stressed that confidence , accessibility and where to start are the main barriers when it comes to adopting digital solutions . He added that a transferable skill set will be required to adapt the workforce to industrial transformation .
Focusing on a human-centric approach , Julian Ware ( UK & Ireland Sales Manager , ABB Robotics ) added that robots will not replace people , but they should be viewed as an enhancement to humans to improve business competitiveness . n
VIDEO
The future of machine-tool training
CECIMO , TRUMPF and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are working on an innovative project that aims to bridge the skills gap in the machine-tool sector . The project ’ s goal is to create a global network of real laboratories ( university + OEM ) and develop an innovative solution that would allow the upskilling and reskilling of workers in one place .
The idea was presented during the CECIMO General Assembly in Edinburgh and during an online meeting attended by several machine-tool companies and national associations , who have shown great interest in continuing the discussion on this joint project .