EMO Hannover 2025: Digitalization & AI in Efficient Manufacturing

Future of manufacturing Digitalization and AI in focus at EMO Hannover 2025

2025-07-28 Source: VDW 3 min Reading Time

Digitalization and AI will play a central role at EMO Hannover 2025, where exhibitors and experts will present practical solutions for smarter, more efficient manufacturing. The focus will be on data-driven processes, machine connectivity, predictive maintenance and addressing skills shortages through intelligent support systems.

Haimer offers a comprehensive concept for the digitization and automation of toolroom management. The focus is on easily integrable products and user-friendly software solutions to increase manufacturing productivity. With Wintool and the Toolbase dispensing system, the company provides a powerful complete package for efficient tool and consumables management. (Source: Haimer) — Haimer offers a comprehensive concept for the digitization and automation of toolroom management. The focus is on easily integrable products and user-friendly software solutions to increase manufacturing productivity. With Wintool and the Toolbase dispensing system, the company provides a powerful complete package for efficient tool and consumables management.
(Source: Haimer)

More so than almost any other issue, digitalization in production stands for technological change and gives rise to news and trends, including at EMO Hannover 2025. All this, despite the fact that digitalization of machine tools is hardly a new topic. It began with the first computer numerical control (CNC) system in the 1960s. That actually makes it older than the world’s leading trade fair for production technology which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Whether it is Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things or AI that are causing a stir among experts — one question is ever-present: How can companies find the easiest and most economically sensible path to digitalization?

“It is always a good idea for companies to first gain an overview of which applications are relevant for them,” explains Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director at EMO organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builder’s Association). According to him, one of the first and most important steps for any factory is to create transparency in production through targeted recording and exchange of data.

Gallery

Maintastic offers the AI-powered CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) for collaborative maintenance of machines, equipment, and building technology. (Source: Maintastic)

Data recording and networking made easy

The benefits to be gained from this data are apparent when taking a look at the digital solutions offered by many machine manufacturers. Machines themselves are complex mechatronic systems which are now fully digitalized. This takes center stage when building a self-contained data space (private cloud, intranet) that is limited to the relevant company. Open, standardized data interfaces are required to ensure that new machine tools as well as existing tools, machines from different manufacturers and even robots can communicate with each other and exchange data in production. The global initiative Umati (universal machine technology interface) will once again demonstrate the benefits of standardized machine networking at EMO Hannover 2025.

The most important insight is that evaluating large quantities of data makes it possible to optimize production processes, identify errors early on and utilize resources more efficiently. This increases competitiveness on the global market significantly.

The HF 3500 5-axis machining centres will be on the Heller stand at EMO 2025 linked to a Robot Cell Professional robotic system for automated workpiece and pallet handling. (Source: Heller)

Current applications and trends

A few application cases are likely to draw particular attention at EMO this year. Digitalization and networking promote the customization of products and adaptation to rapidly changing market requirements. With methods such as mass customization, companies can manufacture small batches of customized products without losing the efficiency of series production.

Digitalization can also support sustainability, as Professor Dr. Christian Brecher, Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen, Germany, recently highlighted. Data analysis helps to use machine capacities more efficiently. “Optimized process control helps to better exploit the potential of a machine and use resources more efficiently,” Brecher emphasized. Digitalization also plays an important role in the implementation of the circular economy by supporting resource tracking and reuse. This means that less energy and material is required per part produced.

The possibilities offered by the use of artificial intelligence appear to be just as varied and exciting. Algorithms can analyze recurring situations and identify patterns that indicate an impending machine failure. This makes it possible to plan and carry out predictive maintenance and service work. AI can also monitor production processes in real time and suggest changes, for example to lower energy consumption.

Combating the shortage of skilled workers with AI

The shortage of skilled workers will surely be the topic of many discussions at EMO Hannover 2025. How can AI and digital solutions compensate the experience that is lost when long-time employees leave the company or retire? What can AI-based support systems achieve that are intended to help users by answering questions, providing instructions or being used for individual training? To what extent is AI successful in supporting new or less experienced employees?

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

The joint AI + Digitalization Area and the AI Hub@EMO2025 seek to answer many of these questions with expert knowledge at EMO 2025. Here, investors from industry and administration can learn about the wide range of opportunities offered by networking paired with artificial intelligence.

(ID:50496475)