Digital Potentials

Consequently, it makes sense to supplement manufacturing processes, which are already significantly based on the division of labor, and the increasing number of system parts. This is done by cooperating as early as in the design and during the development phases, thus, in the engineering of products. In collaborative research & development, components and end products can be far better matched to one another in the initial design and then enhanced later – even in the case of interdisciplinary work processes and without major data transformations or appraisals.

Collaborative R&D – this is virtually transferring the platform train of thought to product and production level. At the heart of it are jointly developed products that go beyond narrow organizational limits and are open and suitable for further development and supplementing with services. This strategy can be a response to the challenges facing the entire manufacturing industry. The growing pressure for innovation, higher customer expectations and shorter product life cycle can be satisfied in a single collaborative, dynamic and open system.

However, even though the collaborative R&D strategy offers a lot of benefits, companies that take part in such collective developments also need to be familiar with the challenges. Among others, these challenges can be found in the complexity of the systems, network communication security beyond company borders, data exchange and contractual stipulations regarding use and intellectual property.

Due to the participation of different companies and organizations, the diversity of the software systems used is increasing at engineering level. In addition, the companies involved in the cooperative effort need to take into account and synchronize different working methods and process flows.

Even the security of data transferred over inter-company networks is a challenge. Highly sensitive information is often exchanged between internal and external networks and, due to the system, the option of completely secure end-to-end communication is missing.

As a means of increasing companies’ digital potential, Voith supports collaborative R&D. At the same time we are aware of the monumental task in terms of the security, performance and complexity of the systems that need to be handled. We will devote more of our attention to precisely these issues.

Voith offers, through Papermaking 4.0, VR glasses for training purposes and to provide virtual support for augmented maintenance and repair, for example, for its paper machinery. Test it and go on a virtual tour of discovery for yourself.