04-2019

24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Sunshine Seeds

A PERFECT FIT - CLIMATE PROTECTION AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The German Federal Minister for the Environment and the German mechanical engineering industry were both in the headlines with their concepts for a CO2 price tag. In a summer dominated by a heatwave and an intense debate on climate change, this high-profile encounter took a surprising turn.
24.09.2019 © dpa

NOTHING EVER STAYS THE SAME - NOT EVEN THE KILOGRAM

Since May, the International Prototype Kilogram has been redefined on the basis of 25 quadrillion atoms of a high-purity silicon sphere and equations from quantum mechanics. Here you will find the advantages.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | worradirek

VIETNAM: GOOD QUALITY AT LOW PRICES

Annual economic growth of 6.5 percent and a free trade agreement with China are boosting demand for machinery and systems.

24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Viacheslav Lopatin

RUSSIA: TIME TO RECALCULATE

How effective are the economic sanctions against Russia really? After five years it is time for an honest summary.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Byelikova Oksana

FULL SPEED AHEAD - THE MARITIME ENERGY TRANSITION IS COMING

When it comes to environmental protection, most of the discussion revolves around planes and cars. But 90 percent of all commodities travel by ship. It is time for the maritime energy transition - to eliminate fossil fuels from shipping.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Alexandros Michailidis

THE EU IS ALIVE - NOW IT IS TIME TO DELIVER

The next European Commission will focus on topics such as the climate and a strong economic policy. This is an opportunity for mechanical engineering, but the industry must ensure that its views are taken into account by lawmakers.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Alvov

THE "R-WORD" HANGS ABOVE THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Many industrialized and emerging countries are experiencing an economic downturn. It remains to be seen whether this will turn into a global recession. But the burden companies have to bear is increasing - also because politics has become so unpredictable.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Only_NewPhoto

CYBERATTACKS – AN UNDERESTIMATED THREAT

Industrial companies are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks. Smaller businesses in particular often neglect to ensure they are protected - with incalculable consequences. A VDMA study shows how negligent many companies still are when it comes to security standards.
24.09.2019 © thyssenkrupp Elevator AG

HIGHER, FASTER, SIDEWAYS

The "Multi" is the first elevator in the world to travel not just without cables, but sideways too. It combines an old model with high tech: paternoster elevators and magnetic levitation technology.
24.09.2019 © vor-ort-foto | Helmut Kramer

LAST-MINUTE OPERATION

Older machinery can often be updated. This operation is called retrofitting, and can be unpleasant. But waiting too long carries its own risks.

24.09.2019 © shutterstock | Rido

BECOMING SMARTER

It is obvious that a workforce needs new skills in digitalization - how to convey them successfully remains a big question, though. A training specialist from Swabia is using an excellent idea to this end, which is well worth trying at your own company.
24.09.2019 © shutterstock | anatoliy_gleb

SOLAR CELL PRODUCTION: EUROPE IS WORTH IT

A new study proves it: If the size is right, Europe is once again competitive in the production of solar modules, too - and entirely without subsidies. But it needs to be at least a five-gigawatt factory in order to be profitable.