Investigating current smart production innovations in the machine building industry on sustainability aspects

Driven by the rising demand for individualized high-tech products the machine building industry continuously introduces a wide variety of smart innovations. Manufacturing companies face growing production requirements which can only be only handled by intelligent systems. During the last decades the trend in manufacturing has shifted from the classic mass production to complex individualized products which have to be produced to compete with the costs of mass products. Smart Production Systems are characterized by its flexibility, resource efficiency, ergonomic design and the ability to integrate customer and business partner into the value creation process. This research study investigates current smart production innovations and trends in the machine building industry. The sustainability aspects and the potential of various smart innovations are outlined.