Declining sales in the automotive sector mean that car manufacturers are unable to utilise their factories to their full capacity and are therefore also holding back investments, such as the purchase of press lines. The installed production capacities worldwide allow for the production of some 130 million vehicles, but last year only 90 million vehicles left the sheds. In Europe and North and South America, production has not yet recovered to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels; only in Asia is it now higher.

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the linchpin for innovation, driving efficiency, precision, and sustainability across industries. AI offers unprecedented possibilities, transforming every stage of production. At its core, AI excels at processing enormous amounts of data in real time, enabling systems to adapt, learn, and optimize processes with minimal human intervention.

The sheet metal industry is undergoing significant change, driven by evolving technologies and market demands. Decades of tradition have shaped our industry, but the demands of today’s world require a new approach—one that prioritizes speed, precision, and adaptability. I see both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The industry needs to embrace innovation, to empower users to thrive in a landscape defined by constant change.

Traditional mechanical engineering is undergoing a transformation. Digital technologies have become increasingly important, and alongside product quality, digital sophistication has been the emerging competitive advantage.

Digitalization in globalized supply chains is shifting the boundaries of production as well as the way in which companies monitor and control their manufacturing processes. A forward-looking concept in this context is Remote Operation Support – the remote assistance and control of production systems.

Bending automation, laser automation, a new laser cutter configuration system, electric bending, software, services and sustainability – these are the Bystronic highlights at EuroBLECH 2024 from October 22 to 25 in Hanover/Germany.

Bystronic supports its customers with the best solutions so that they can produce smoothly and optimally.

Metal-Interface sprach mit Tom Schneider, dem Managing Director für Forschung und Entwicklung bei Trumpf TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen, einem der weltweit führenden Unternehmen im Bereich bei Werkzeugmaschinen für die flexible Blechbearbeitung und industrieller Lasertechnik. Mit einem Jahresumsatz von 5,4 Milliarden Euro und einer starken globalen Präsenz ist Trumpf ein Symbol für Innovation und technologische Exzellenz.

In an ever-changing industrial world, technical challenges and the need for customized products are becoming crucial for cutting-edge companies. Metal-Interface had the opportunity to speak with Brando Belloni of Sideros, a company specializing in the development of customized solutions. In this interview, Brando Belloni shares valuable insights into the technical challenges faced by Sideros and the strategies adopted to meet each customer's unique needs.

The sheet metal industry, integral to numerous sectors, is currently facing several significant challenges. In a detailed interview with Metal-Interface, Oscar from BI. ME SNC and Fausto from PENTAP SRL provided in-depth insights into these challenges and their innovative approaches to addressing them.

In an enlightening interview, Metal-Interface spoke with Tiger Wang, a prominent figure from Ming Xu Precision Machinery, who shed light on the dynamic challenges and transformations in the global metal sheet industry. Tiger Wang 's deep understanding of the industry's trends, especially the differences between Europe and Asia, specifically Taiwan, offers a unique perspective on how companies must adapt in an ever-evolving market.