Metav opened its doors for the first time 40 years ago and showcased products, technologies and services in the metalworking sector. A lot has happened in the industry since then. In addition to new machining technologies, trends such as networked production and artificial intelligence in manufacturing have come to the fore. The latter pose a challenge for small and medium-sized companies in particular. In addition to the research and development of new technologies, a fundamental transfer of knowledge and information is a prerequisite for the success of the digital transformation.

In the run-up to the trade fair, the organizer of Metav, the VDW, provided information about its content. The industry get-together offers trade visitors the opportunity to form their own impression: from networked manufacturing to cloud applications, data analysis, 5G, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Similar to EMO Hannover, there will be an umati showcase (universal machine tool interface) at Metav 2020. This will demonstrate how easily, quickly and simply data can be exchanged via the umati interface.

Congress on cybersecurity

Together with the VDMA, the VDW is organizing a congress on cybersecurity. The key issue here is the availability and security of data. VDW Managing Director Dr. Wilfried Schäfer: "The success of new business models with data services depends essentially on ensuring security." What such business models could look like is a research focus at the WZL of RWTH Aachen University. At Metav, the WZL and an industry partner will be discussing platform economics, i.e. the monetization of machine data.

Employee training for digital transformation

Networked and digital production also requires trained specialists. The VDW and VDMA are jointly taking on the qualification of skilled workers in the Mechanical Engineering Young Talent Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to qualification and further training. Under the patronage of Armin Laschet, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, it is currently conducting a state-wide qualification offensive on Industry 4.0 under the title NRWgoes.digital. In a 25-day program, around 300 teachers and around 300 trainers are undergoing a technical and methodical journey through the Smart Factory. As multipliers, they will then pass on what they have learned to over 1,400 trainees over a period of 2.5 years. The trainees can thus acquire the additional qualification "Digital Manufacturing Processes". "Our aim is to prepare future skilled workers for working and learning in the digital world of work," says Schäfer. Another topic at the trade fair: in Düsseldorf, the Young Talent Foundation for Mechanical Engineering will be hosting sessions with digital leaders several times a day.