Page 20 - MTW JANUARY 2022 Digital Magazine

COVER STORY

MACHINE TOOLS

INDUSTRY FUTURE :

The blend of demand

with technology

transformation

esides the massive effects from machineries declined significantly in the intelligence (AI), and the integration of
the COVID-19 pandemic, several past 18 months. sophisticated simulation features enable
Bexternal and internal effects Besides all the economic uncertainty, the advancements in machine performance
are leading to declining demand in the industry is in a serious disruption phase. and overall equipment effectiveness
machine tool market. The transformation Never before have machine tool builders (OEE). New sensors and new ways
of the automotive industry from internal experienced such a major change in their of communication, controlling, and
combustion engines to electric drivetrains industry as the one driven by digitalization monitoring enable new opportunities
represents a significant challenge for the and new technologies. The trend towards for smart services and new business
machine tool industry. While an internal greater flexibility in manufacturing drives models in the machine tool market.
combustion engine requires many highly product innovations like multitasking Digitally enhanced services are about to
precise metal parts, the same is not true and additive manufacturing as suitable become part of each OEM’s portfolio. The
for electric drivetrains, which have fewer alternatives to traditional machine tools. unique selling proposition (USP) is clearly
tooled parts. Aside from the impact of Digital innovations and profound shifting towards digital added value.
the pandemic, this is the main reason connectivity represent valuable features. The COVID-19 pandemic may further
why orders for metal cutting and forming Sensor integration, utilization of artificial accelerate this trend.

16 MACHINE TOOLS WORLD JANUARY 2022 www.mtwmag.com