Digitalisation and AI in mechanical and plant engineering: efficiency booster or complexity trap?
Discover how digitalisation and AI (Artificial Intelligence) are transforming mechanical engineering and helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain competitive. This video explains why traditional methods are no longer enough and how technologies like digital twins, IoT (Internet of Things), and AI-driven optimisation can make a real difference.
You’ll learn about practical applications in production, service, and product development, including predictive maintenance, automated assembly planning, and digital customer platforms. We also explore the challenges posed by rising labour costs, regulatory requirements, and global competition – and how smart digital strategies can overcome them.
Topics covered
- Why mechanical engineering faces unprecedented technological change
- How digital twins optimise production and reduce downtime
- AI use cases in predictive maintenance and quality control
- Digital customer platforms for improved service and spare part management
- AI-driven component optimisation and assembly planning
- Key challenges for SMEs and strategies to start small but effectively
Video timeline
- 00:00 – Introduction Dr. Raphael Neuhaus, VDMA
- 00:54 – The heart of European mechanical engineering
- 02:54 – Presentation of the fictional company Schmidt GmbH
- 04:30 – New technologies pose challenges for companies
- 06:25 – Regulatory change poses challenges for companies
- 08:19 – Competitiveness through digitalisation: digitalisation in production
- 10:50 – Digitalisation in service & sales
- 12:50 – AI use cases for SMEs in mechanical engineering
- 14:55 – AI in production
- 15:32 – AI in mechanical engineering
- 18:00 – Implementation of digital service platform and other tools
- 20:21 – Q&A
Who should watch
This video is ideal for mechanical engineering professionals, SME managers, system integrators, and anyone interested in leveraging digitalisation and AI to boost competitiveness in manufacturing.
Watch now to learn how to future-proof your business with digitalisation and AI.
