From the first industrial revolution (mechanization through
water and steam power) to the mass production and assembly lines using
electricity in the second, the fourth industrial revolution will take what was
started in the third with the adoption of computers and automation and enhance
it with smart and autonomous systems fueled by data and machine learning.
When computers were introduced in Industry 3.0, it was
disruptive thanks to the addition of an entirely new technology. Now, and into
the future as Industry 4.0 unfolds, computers are connected and communicate
with one another to make decisions without human involvement. A
combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and the Internet
of Systems make Industry 4.0 possible and the smart factory a reality. As a
result of the support of smart machines that keep getting smarter as they get
access to more data, our factories will become more efficient and productive
and less wasteful. Ultimately, it is the network of these machines that are
digitally connected with one another and create and share information that
results in the true power of Industry 4.0.
Here
are just a few of the possible applications of Industry 4.0:
Identify opportunities: 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. By using
the data from sensors in its equipment, an African gold mine identified a
problem with the oxygen levels during leaching. Once fixed, they were able to
increase their yield by 3.7%, which saved them $20 million annually.
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 from the ships.
Robots: 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. It helps internal operations, and through the use of the cloud environment
where data is stored, equipment and operations can be optimized by leveraging
the insights of others using the same equipment.
While Industry 4.0 is still evolving and we might not have the complete
picture until we look back 30 years from now, companies who are adopting the
technologies realize Industry 4.0's potential.
Article from Forbes (edited)
