What's the Industry 4.0?

Besides being a marketing buzzword Industry 4.0 optimizes the computerization of Industry 3.0.

When computers were introduced, it was disruptive thanks to the addition of entirely new technology. Now, and into the future as Industry 4.0 unfolds, computers are connected and communicate with one another to ultimately make decisions without human involvement. A combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) sometimes addressed as the Internet of Systems make Industry 4.0 possible and the smart factory a reality. As a result of the support of Artificial Intelligence enabled machines that keep getting smarter as they get access to more data, our factories will become more efficient, productive and less wasteful.

Industry 4.0 applications today

While many organizations might still be in denial about how Industry 4.0 could impact their business or struggling to find the talent or knowledge to know how to best adopt it for their unique use cases, several others are implementing changes today and preparing for a future where smart machines improve their business.

Use Cases

Predictive maintenance and optimize efficiency

Since connected machines collect a tremendous volume of data that can inform maintenance, performance and other issues, as well as analyze that data to identify patterns and insights that would be impossible for a human to do in a reasonable timeframe, Industry 4.0 offers the opportunity for manufacturers to optimize their operations quickly and efficiently by knowing what needs attention.

Optimize logistics and supply chains

A connected supply chain can adjust and accommodate when new information is presented. If a weather delay ties up a shipment, a connected system can proactively adjust to that reality and modify manufacturing priorities.

Autonomous equipment and vehicles

There are shipping yards that are leveraging autonomous cranes and trucks to streamline operations as they accept shipping containers.

Asset tracking

The opportunity to have real time updates on tools, parts, vehicles and staff to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Robotics

Once only possible for large enterprises with equally large budgets, robotics are now more affordable and available to organizations of every size. From picking products at a warehouse to getting them ready to ship, autonomous robots can quickly and safely support manufacturers. Robots move goods around Amazon warehouses and also reduce costs and allow better use of floor space for the online retailer.

Additive manufacturing (3D printing)

This technology has improved tremendously in the last decade and has progressed from primarily being used for prototyping to actual production. Advances in the use of metal additive manufacturing have opened up a lot of possibilities for production.

Internet of Things and the cloud

A key component of Industry 4.0 is the Internet of Things that is characterized by connected devices. Not only does this help internal operations, but through the use of the cloud environment where data is stored, equipment and operations can be optimized by leveraging machine learning and data analytics.

Conclusion

While Industry 4.0 is still evolving companies who are adopting the technologies are realizing its potential. If you find this article interesting please join our mailing list to not miss any update and schedule a free no obligation meeting with us to discuss how we can help you with the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions.

Cheers, Andrea