How can industry use the potential of digitisation? Where are the challenges? What prerequisites have to be fulfilled? These and other questions were at the focus of a hands-on talk during a visit by EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger to SCHUNK

Since he assumed the position as EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society in 2014, Günther Oettinger has taken up the cause of digitisation of the economy under the concept of ‘Industry 4.0’. Mr Oettinger sees the use of smart technologies in industrial production as an important element in developing and securing the position of European industry in the global marketplace.

The European Commission estimates the potential of a digital home market at €415bn. In the opinion of the commission, hundreds of thousands of new jobs can be created if three conditions are fulfilled: simplified access to digital products and services, optimal conditions for digital networks and services, and intensified efforts to digitise the economy.

Networked production

Making this possible is something that became clear during Günther Oettinger’s visit to the competence center for gripping systems at SCHUNK. The innovative family-owned company is considered a driving force in the machine building industry with respect to the trend toward ‘Industry 4.0’ and is one of the pioneers in the field of mechatronic handling.

The hands-on talk, conducted with the two Managing Partners Heinz-Dieter and Henrik A. Schunk, as well as Chief Technology Officer Dr. Markus Klaiber, and Managing Director Markus Kleiner, made it clear that the trend toward Industry 4.0 offers great opportunities. “Digitisation must be pursued at the highest level and with an interdisciplinary approach,” emphasizes Dr. Markus Klaiber. 

In the complex interplay of processes in the smart factory the company focuses on the development of intelligent, networkable components that perceive their environment by means of sensors and communicate with other components, with the ability to respond individually. At the same time SCHUNK is making progress with Industry 4.0 in the automation and organisation of its own production processes. To establish and intensify digitisation within the company, SCHUNK has set up a ‘Smart Factory’ task force that is responsible for strategy development, interdisciplinary exchange and implementation of new business models.