Aachen Forum on Gear Production. Digitalization and AI: Driving Innovation in Gear Production?

Gear production is undergoing a transformation. As demands for efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability continue to rise, digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and data-driven control systems are coming into sharper focus. But how far has this transformation progressed — and where do conventional approaches still set the benchmark? The 2025 Aachen Forum on Gear Production (AFGP), organized by the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University in cooperation with the Research Association for Drive Technology (FVA), will address these questions with a special focus on the role of digitalization and AI in gear manufacturing. The program covers a broad spectrum: from AI-assisted gear design and visual analytics for tool wear, to digital process chains, multi-body simulations, and hybrid manufacturing strategies. Experts from industry and academia will present current developments, practical applications, and critical assessments of digital solutions in gear production. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience ongoing research firsthand during a guided tour of the WZL laboratories. An evening networking event will provide further space for in-depth technical exchange. AFGP 2025 offers a unique platform to discuss how digital and conventional technologies can complement each other — and how gear production can evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow.