Digitalization
The digital factory of the future - already a reality today. Efficient, flexible, sustainable: from product design to intelligent manufacturing.
More efficiency. Less downtime. Maximum transparency: that's what the digital factory can do!
Faster production, a more flexible response to customer requirements and cost savings - the digital factory makes it possible. With networked systems, real-time data and processes that control themselves, this is exactly where Schmalz comes in: We make digitalization tangible and support you with digital solutions - from planning to ongoing operations.
Digitalization and vacuum technology - how do they go together?
Digitalization is fundamentally changing the way we work, produce and operate factories. Data is becoming the central raw material, machines and systems are becoming networked and processes are becoming increasingly automated and predictive. Vacuum technology is also part of this development: purely mechanical helpers are becoming intelligent components (so-called smart field devices) that record statuses, analyze data and make it available in real time. They integrate seamlessly into digital production environments via standardized interfaces and thus increase efficiency, transparency and availability.
The result is an environment in which robots, grippers and machines not only work mechanically, but also communicate with each other digitally. This opens up new possibilities - from predictive maintenance and shorter downtimes to more efficient use of resources and greater process reliability.
Digital solutions from planning to maintenance
Our digital engineering tools make product design, configuration and decision-making easier and more efficient than ever before.
Uncomplicated system integration thanks to standardized interfaces and modern IoT protocols - for maximum compatibility.
Parameterize and monitor devices and read out data on the go. With the Schmalz Connect Suite, you have everything in view - in real time.
With mobile applications, you can read device data directly and easily adapt parameters - for shorter service times, higher availability and maximum productivity.
Figures that speak for themselves
Technologies that make your production smarter
The factory of the future depends on intelligent technologies that network systems, make data usable and control processes with foresight. Schmalz combines modern interfaces, digital imaging, image processing and AI-supported services to create practical solutions that make your production simpler, more efficient and more transparent.
The digital factory brings with it numerous new terms and concepts. In our FAQ we explain these in a compact and easy-to-understand way.
Schmalz uses AI to make processes smarter - from intelligent data evaluation and more flexible robotics to digital services such as condition monitoring.
IO-Link is the smart communication interface of the future—it connects devices in real time and makes your production easier, more flexible, and more efficient.
Digital twins create virtual images of your components - they speed up planning and design and provide greater transparency and safety.
With AI-supported image processing, systems recognize objects, positions and errors in real time - for precise pick & place and quality processes.
Intelligent and climate-friendly production
Digitalization for efficiency and sustainability
Digitalization at Schmalz not only means efficiency, but also sustainability: networked and intelligent processes save energy, reduce downtime and optimize the use of resources. This is how you lay the foundation for climate-friendly, resource-conserving production.
Key topics of the digital factory
The smart factory uses concepts and applications that connect planning, operation and maintenance. Digital engineering, predictive maintenance and condition monitoring show how digital methods and applications make production processes more efficient, reliable and predictive. They form the basis for successfully implementing networking, data analysis and optimization in practice.
Awarded for digital excellence
Schmalz received the Industry 4.0 Award for our innovative robotics technology - a clear signal for digital transformation and smart automation.
The FMG matrix area gripper received the Product of the Year 2025 award and stands for maximum flexibility and efficiency in digital manufacturing.
Schmalz receives the best award for its AI-based robotics solution. Schmalz is thus setting standards for adaptive systems and future technologies.
With the Solution Kit ivOS Sheet Metal, Schmalz is revolutionizing automated sheet metal handling - and has received an award from the trade magazine Industrial Production.
Digital success stories of our customers
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AI power for sheet metal production
The challenge: staff shortages. The goal: Increasing productivity. The solution: Solution Kit ivOS Sheet Metal. This loading and unloading system from Schmalz uses artificial intelligence, 3D vision sensors and a flexible area gripper to recognize and move different workpieces. Machine manufacturer LISSMAC has thus significantly increased its performance.
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Intelligent gripping: technology that thinks for itself
In order to achieve the balancing act between furniture customization and efficiency, woodworking operations need creative solutions that fully exploit the advantages of automation from batch size 1. With the Solution Kit ivOS Wood, Schmalz offers them a smart system that automatically recognizes, picks up and places unknown workpieces.
Into the crate every five seconds
Repetitive tasks, low productivity, a shortage of skilled workers – many factors speak in favor of automation. The scales and systems specialist Bizerba is aware of this and has therefore installed a smart picking solution at a Spanish meat processor. Thanks to the powerful vacuum technology from Schmalz, up to 96 picks per minute are now possible.
This cobot must have good vision
Every day, 60 hands sort around 3,000 boxes of screws, nuts and other fasteners at Würth's VZ West sales center. A few months ago, they were joined by a collaborative robot, which now takes over some of the work and significantly improves the ergonomics of the workplace. Schmalz taught the cobot how to see, grasp and sort.
Contact
If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you.
J. Schmalz GmbH
Johannes-Schmalz-Str.1
72293 Glatten
Germany
+49 7443 2403-0
schmalz@schmalz.de
Contact