SMC Smart Assets: Revolutionizing Asset Management in the Digital Era

In a groundbreaking initiative poised to redefine Industry 4.0, SMC is proud to introduce Smart Assets, an advanced project designed to bring asset management into the digital age. Collaborating with top-tier academic and industrial partners, SMC is embarking on a transformative journey to create dynamic, data-rich digital twins for its entire portfolio of over 700,000 products. This initiative promises to deliver unmatched efficiency, interoperability, and sustainability for both machine builders and end users, paving the way for a more connected and innovative industrial landscape.

Funded by the prestigious EUREKA Eurostars international program, Smart Assets aims to standardize digital twin technology for all SMC components, embedding them within the cutting-edge framework of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS). As the “universal digital twin,” the AAS enables seamless deployment across industries, ensuring full interoperability between systems. This digital foundation will support a wide array of industrial applications, transforming how companies manage and optimize their assets.

Pioneering Collaboration

Key project partners include Switzerland’s Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), renowned for its expertise in artificial intelligence, mechatronics, and digital twin technologies, and Germany-based OBJECTIVE PARTNER, a leader in digital transformation solutions for Industry 4.0. Together, these collaborations are driving the development of innovative tools and methodologies that set new standards in asset management.

The Role of the AAS in Industry 4.0

At the heart of Smart Assets lies the AAS, a cornerstone of data exchange in Industry 4.0 and the emerging global standard for digital twins. By leveraging the AAS, businesses gain real-time insights into their assets, enabling predictive maintenance, proactive decision-making, and streamlined operations. This integration reduces downtime, enhances operational efficiency, and cuts costs—all critical advantages in today’s competitive industrial landscape.

Beyond operational benefits, the AAS serves as a platform for design innovation and autonomous system development. It fosters collaboration across diverse technologies and eliminates the need for traditional Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Notably, the AAS aligns perfectly with the European Union’s upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements. Scheduled for full implementation by 2032, the DPP will serve as a digital identity card for products, detailing their compliance, sustainability, and circularity. By supporting these efforts, Smart Assets contributes to the European Green Deal’s ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Automated Excellence

A standout feature of Smart Assets is its Automated AAS Generation Toolchain, which automates the creation of digital twins. This innovative tool significantly reduces manual input, accelerates the digitization process, and ensures data consistency throughout the asset lifecycle.

A Vision for Growth and Sustainability

Alessandro Grizzetti, SMC’s Project Leader for DPP and AAS, explains:

“With Smart Assets, SMC is equipping its portfolio with the industry-standard digital twin—the AAS. This ensures we are the go-to partner for businesses looking to advance their digital strategies. Our aim is to expedite engineering processes, reduce errors in master data creation, and enhance asset quality over its lifecycle. The potential extends beyond individual companies: as adoption grows, the interconnected intelligence of these assets will unlock new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development.”

Building on Momentum

Smart Assets builds on SMC’s recent membership in the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA), a global consortium dedicated to standardizing digital twin technologies. Through the IDTA’s AAS, stakeholders across the value chain can collaborate effortlessly, setting the stage for a future where digital asset management is integral to industrial operations.

With Smart Assets, SMC is not only shaping the future of asset management but also championing a vision of sustainability, innovation, and interconnected intelligence. This is the future of Industry 4.0—where digitalization meets responsibility.