Pay-Per-Use in Industry – X-Forge Funding Project

Whether it’s electricity providers, streaming services, or rent: we’re all familiar with the pay-per-use model. But what about in the industrial sector?

For a long time, this business model did not exist in industrial manufacturing, even though it can offer many advantages to both users and providers. Thanks to the promising X-Forge grant project, that will soon change in the woodworking industry.

X-Forge – What Is It?

The X-Forge project is guided by the vision of creating the first woodworking machine for industrial use based on a pay-per-use model. This means that customers no longer purchase the machine itself, but instead pay per use—a concept known as “woodworking-as-a-service.” The advantage here, in addition to low investment costs, is that various services are included right from the start.

How X-Forge Works

The machine is connected to the manufacturer via the Internet; this is a key feature of the business model. The machine is located at the customer’s site (or at another location) and can be used by the customer at any time. However, the customer pays only for the actual time the machine is in use. In addition, the machine manufacturer can assess the machine’s condition at any time and take prompt action. This helps prevent extended production downtime.

Benefits for the Customer

Roth’s tamper-proof data transmission provides a reliable foundation for data exchange. Only appropriately authorized user groups can access this data to monitor the system status.

Thanks to the service tailored specifically to the customer, the customer does not receive any unnecessary services that are not right for them.

In addition, maintenance can be scheduled in advance and the necessary parts can be ordered.

Role of the Roth Company

Roth is responsible for data collection and provides the core component—the software for the project. The required data is collected and transmitted to the host via a GDPR-compliant and tamper-proof data transfer process. This lays the foundation for the appropriate services.

Who is behind X-Forge?

X-Forge is a consortium of five parties working together on this project. The project is funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The diversity of the organizations also reflects the various roles, such as the system host or the customer. The company Weinig serves as the host, and Hogra represents the customer in this early phase of the project.

Are you looking for more or new information about X-Forge?

Feel free to visit our website or the official website of the Fraunhofer Institute:

https://www.ipa.fraunhofer.de/de/referenzprojekte/X-Forge_PRODaaS.html