Digitisation, automation and networking are the dominant trend in industrial production, a development that is usually referred to by the buzzword “Industry 4.0”.

Following the invention of the steam engine, mass production with the aid of assembly lines and electricity, and the introduction of electronics and IT, Industry 4.0 marks the fourth industrial revolution.

In the smart factories of tomorrow, individual production steps will no longer be considered in isolation, but as part of a higher-level value chain. People, machines, components, goods and packaging are networked with one another around the world and exchange information through microprocessors. The result is faster, more flexible, more transparent and more efficient production processes that are seamlessly integrated into one another – intelligent production, which largely organises itself.

Industry 4.0 is already a reality in many industries, companies and production sectors – including in welding technology. As a pioneer of the digital revolution, Fronius has been offering innovative solutions that enable welding processes to be optimally integrated into automated and networked production environments for over 20 years. Some of these are presented on the following pages – discover the diverse world of the welding technology of today and tomorrow.