Digitalisation in skilled crafts and trades

Gerhard Krempl

15. Jänner 2021 • 5 min

Digitalisation has become part of everyday life. Emails are more common than letters, while we read newspapers digitally on mobile phones and online shopping is possible around the clock. Digitalisation has become indispensable in both private and professional environments. How does this technological and social change affect the skilled crafts and trades industry?

Particularly promising in small and medium-sized businesses

Digitalisation provides small and medium-sized businesses opportunities for companies to stand out from the competition and remain successful. Digitalisation in skilled crafts and trades doesn’t just affect the organization of the office, it enables new ways of working from the website to online appointments. Laser technology is a great example of digitalisation in progress. Sawing or milling were popular in the past, but today the laser is often used as a digital tool.

Digital tools in education

The earlier pupils or students come into contact with digital tools and gain experience using the technology, the more prepared they are for modern everyday work. If you compare the syllabuses of apprenticeships from “then” with now, you can see that digitalisation is also increasing rapidly in the skilled crafts and trades. An example of this is that laser technology has found its way into carpentry: The laser cutter is used for demanding inlays or for cutting and engraving.

Why do you need a laser cutter in the classroom?

The laser cutter is ideal for implementing digitalisation in skilled crafts and trades, particularly the process “from idea to product,” quickly, easily and safely. Ideas are developed digitally, the file is sent straight to the laser cutter and then it is engraved or cut with the laser machine. The laser cutter plays a key role in digital production of drafts, prototypes and models. You can engrave and cut a large number of materials, and quickly and easily develop and adapt ideas and prototypes.

Advantages of the laser cutter in the classroom

Alongside digital production, there are other advantages to using a laser cutter in education:

Innovative educational institutions are more attractive to students
One tool for all geometries
Maximum flexibility of the material
Fine tool
No tool wear
Contact-free processing

Find out more about these advantages

About the author: Gerhard Krempl

Gerhard Krempl has been working at Trotec for over 15 years. As Head of Production, he and his team assemble the Trotec laser machines according to customer requirements, ensure the quality of the finished laser machines and send them on their way to customers around the world. In his many years of experience in a rapidly growing company, Gerhard has trained many new colleagues.