Future Forum for Tool, Model and Mould Making

Figures, data and specific action recommendations from and for the industry: the specialists from the expert team of the cooperative benchmark initiative will provide insights into the "inner workings" of the tool construction and mould making industry, describe strengths and weaknesses, and pass on action recommendations for improved competitiveness of companies.

In order to survive on today's markets, companies in the tool, pattern and mould making industry must continually develop. The Round Table will highlight the strengths of the companies in the industry and show ways in which to further enhance these strengths. However, the weaknesses and the means and opportunities to turn these weaknesses into new strengths will also be described.

Stefan Hofmann, Hofmann Werkzeugbau; Christen Merkle, AHP Merkle; Peter Pakulla, PakullaWerkzeugbau; Marco Reichle, Reichle Technology Centre, and Thomas Seul, Association of German Tool and Mould Makers (VDWF)/Schmalkalden University. Moderation: Susanne Schröder, Chief Editor of "Kunststoffe", and Helmut Damm, Chief Editor of "FORM+Werkzeug"

ERP, MES, RPA, from the sensor to the Cloud – company managers are often not yet prepared to digitalise the processes and production in their firm. Planning of digital business models also involves considerable challenges. Industry 4.0 scouting of Allianz Industrie 4.0 helps company managers to develop an individual digitalisation strategy. Key topics such as cybersecurity, data-based value-added or sustainability through digitalisation are also possible.

Anja Glässing, Allianz Industrie 4.0/German Engineering Federation (VDMA)

The English expression "Breaking the mould" means doing something quite differently or deviating generally from tradition. In her talk the Managing Director of the Deckerform Group wants to show what it really means to genuinely change on volatile markets, in tense financial situations and with a shortage of productive workers in order to reposition for the future.

Anna Tschacha, Deckerform

Innovation is proceeding at a rapid pace in digital production. Companies must adapt and develop further in order to survive on the market. While we are heading to the 5th Industrial Revolution, innovation and the further development of networked systems are steadily gaining momentum. This can lead, for example, to better, faster and more effective goods production, availability on-demand of customised parts, extensive traceability and more sustainable models (reuse, repair, use in a new way, thus enabling smart factories to become reliable partners in the supply chain).

Florian Marr, Marcel Sudiana, Protolabs

New methods for inter-company cooperation will be derived based on a fictitious negotiation situation between the owner of a tool making company and a female purchaser. This will culminate in tangible implementation examples.

Torsten Kersting, Craemer

In the tool construction industry there is great cost-saving potential, which has not yet been realised, during the utilisation phase. In order to reduce costs, tools must be designed to meet specific requirements and a concept for predictive data-based maintenance and series production support must be implemented. High transparency in respect of process- and cost-related data during tool use in series production and visualisation of the data generated from a large number of heterogeneous data sources are required for this purpose. This can be achieved with the aid of a digital tool file. The keynote speech will provide an insight into how a digital tool file can be created and how tool making companies support series production and act as production enablers.

Jonas Kefenheuer, WBA