IBM provides a great definition of Industry 4.0: “Synonymous with smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0 is the realization of the digital transformation of the field, delivering real-time decision making, enhanced productivity, flexibility and agility.” We’re experiencing significant transformations in product production largely due to manufacturing digitization. This transition is called Industry 4.0 to represent the fourth revolution that has occurred in global manufacturing.
What it means for manufacturing operations:
Industry 4.0 revolutionises how we manufacture, improve and distribute products. The Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and big data have completely changed manufacturing. “Smart factories” feature more sensors, advanced robotics in more areas, and embedded software – all greatly improving productivity and decision making.
4 foundational technologies of Industry 4.0
McKinsey & Company recently published a report on reimagining manufacturing operations after COVID-19. In it, they give a great breakdown of the four key technologies that are driving the 4th Industrial Revolution:
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- Connectivity, data & computational power
Heightened interconnectivity, big data processing, and rapidly-growing computational power are making waves and reshaping the industry. The hallmarks of this technological pillar of Industry 4.0 are: Sensors, the Internet of Things, Cloud-computing, and blockchain technology. - Analytics & intelligence
Artificial intelligence greatly improves the quality and rate of decision-making in the manufacturing context. Characteristics of this Industry 4.0 pillar include advanced analytics, machine learning and AI. - Human-machine interaction
Another fascinating element characterising Industry 4.0 is how we’re seeing more ways in which people and technology are interacting with one another. Emerging manufacturing technologies include virtual reality, augmented reality, collaborative robots, heightened manufacturing automation, and chatbots. - Advanced engineeringAdvanced engineering in this context refers to things like 3D printing, or additive manufacturing. Other engineering advancements that hallmark this pillar of the 4th Industrial include Nanoparticles and renewable energy technologies.
- Connectivity, data & computational power
Pioneering automation solutions for Industry 4.0
A few years ago Motion Tronic developed and deployed our MT-4.0-NODE, a clever little box that replaces clipboards, manual hand timers, and lots of guesswork. It empowers decision-makers with better information, including product count, cycle times, machine run time, machine error time, electrical stats and costs, as well as machine health like panel or motor temperature, delivered from the MT-4.0-NODE to the cloud and then to any computer or mobile phone.
The best part? You don’t have to always be watching the system. Set events like emails and SMSes which are triggered by settings you configure for each and every field. So, the system looks after itself and lets you know when something is not right. Experience lower running costs, fewer maintenance costs, less downtime, more production time, more product throughput, and – most importantly – higher profits, by contacting Motion Tronic today.