Smart Manufacturing And Industry 4.0

SMART MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY 4.0

The nature of the manufacturing industry has evolved over the years and has now become a fully integrated manufacturing system that responds in real-time to meet changing requirements in the smart factory, across the supply network, as per the customer needs.

Smart manufacturing is a synonym for Industry 4.0. It enables manufacturers to make the best use of the production capabilities and prepare the next generation of production power, necessary for the digital economy. check: WHY DO WE NEED INDUSTRY 4.0

Smart Manufacturing is a technology-based approach that utilizes the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform to monitor the production process of all the connected machinery. The main objective of smart manufacturing is to recognize opportunities for automating various operations and use data analytics to improve the overall manufacturing performance. lets read: HOW INDUSTRY 4.0 IS AFFECTING THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

As smart manufacturing finds its way to becoming more common and more machines are networked through the IIoT, they will be better communication among themselves and possibly support greater levels of automation.

For example, the smart manufacturing systems might be able to automatically order more raw materials, assign other machinery for production jobs as needed to complete orders and prepare distribution networks after the orders are completed.

History

It’s been nearly 260 years since the inception of the first-ever Industrial Revolution. The first revolution was characterized by steam power and the power loom. The second industrial revolution witnessed the assembly line, and data-enhanced automation introduced itself in the 1970s during the third phase of the industrial revolution. The latest iteration of the fourth industrial revolution is recognized as smart manufacturing, while in Europe it’s popularly known as Industry 4.0.

This fourth industrial revolution is categorized by an array of interconnected automated systems that are interconnecting the physical, digital and biological worlds.

Technologies Involved

In addition to the IIoT, there are a few technologies that will help in enabling smart manufacturing:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) enables automatic decision-making of the machinery based on the packs of data that manufacturing companies collect. It analyzes these data bulks and makes intelligent decisions based on the information.

• Drones and driverless vehicles can upsurge productivity by minimizing the pressure of doing routine tasks, such as moving vehicles across a facility.

• Blockchain system is capable of providing a faster and more efficient way to record and store data.

• Edge computing helps manufacturers turn the huge data houses into actionable data to get a better understanding of the ways to improve decision-making. It uses resources connected to a network that enables data analytics at the data source.

• Predictive analytics helps in decoding the data collect from all their data sources to pre-empt problems and improve forecasting.

• Digital twins can clone their machines, processes and networks in a virtual environment to increase efficiency and productivity.

Advantages of Smart Manufacturing

Efficient use of big data: Smart manufacturing includes automated data collection and advanced analytics. It offers better access to data across an entire supply chain network. This real-time data bank allows manufacturers to make informed decisions.

Cost reduction: Since manufacturers have access to a bulk of real-time data, they can detect waste and maximize forecast efficiency with a better insight into supply chain concerns like inventory levels and delivery status.

Improve product quality: Big data is one of the most significant features of smart manufacturing. The data can be used to understand customer requirements and improve or alter the product quality accordingly.

Mitigate workforce challenges: The entire automation process reduces the human dependency at work. It allows freeing the workers to focus on their core competencies. While smart manufacturing intends to reduce manual work, it promises job opportunities for technically sound professionals who will operate the software and analyze the big data.

How SM differs from traditional manufacturing approaches

Traditional manufacturing methods focus on the economy of scale and machine utilization. The companies used to keep the machines running continuously because they thought they might lose money otherwise. The traditional manufacturing companies also kept large inventories so that they can fulfil potential orders.

Smart manufacturing, on the other hand, is a fully-integrated manufacturing system that responds in real-time to comply with the changing conditions and demands in the factory, in the supply chain network, and in customers’ requirements.

The objective of smart manufacturing is to optimize the manufacturing process using a technology-driven approach that uses machinery connected to the IIoT Platform to monitor the entire process of production. Smart manufacturing empowers organizations to recognize opportunities for automating operations and use data analytics to improve the overall performance of manufacturing units.