INDUSTRY 4.0 -THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

INDUSTRY 4.0

THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

The engineering world is an ever changing environment with new developments influencing key decisions and practices. Here is an important trend that will be the future of Engineering in the coming years….Industry 4.0

Hundreds of years ago, almost all industrialized nations went through its first industrial revolution. It transitioned from hand production methods towards mechanised production processes and has developed through an increasing use of semi-automated, and automated machinery in manufacturing. Today’s industrial revolution, known widely as Industry 4.0 can be described as the move towards a more self-aware and digitised method of work .Industry 4.0 is set to be an important and disruptive trend within engineering in the coming years ,utilising the IoT (Internet of Things), big data and the new communication infrastructure. With technology such as augmented reality aiding the engineering development process, smart factories utilising a new era in efficient production, new and exciting opportunities to automate many tasks while re-inventing well established business models, Industry 4.0 looks set to be a trend to dominate engineering for many years to come.

Why Industry 4.0?

The term “Industry 4.0” is used to signify the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution – the previous three being mechanical production, mass production, and then the digital revolution. It could be argued that Industry 4.0 is simply an amalgamation of the three previous eras in manufacturing, but Industry 4.0 is poised to be much more impactful than that.Industry 4.0 is: The growth of automation and data technologies powered by the internet of things (IoT), the cloud, advanced computers, robotics, and people. The seamless integration of software, equipment, and people increases the speed, reliability, and flow of information between all systems of a manufacturer.

Industry 4.0 Technologies

Industry 4.0 has made the smart factory reality, due to the widespread use of digital technologies in formerly manual processes. Connectivity, automation, and optimization are driving the Industry 4.0 digital transformation. But many technologies are working together to realize the full potential of the manufacturing 4.0 movement.

1. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

IIoT is when interconnectivity and collaboration of data, machines, and people in the world of manufacturing. Essentially, it takes IoT – sensors, machines, and data all connected and interfacing seamlessly – and applies it to manufacturing.

2. Automation

The ultimate goal of a connected factory is to maximize efficiency, therefore maximizing profits. To achieve that, automation must be adopted into some or all of the manufacturing processes. Automation, via robotics or AI, is made possible by the interconnectivity and communication that occurs across an Industry 4.0 optimized facility.

3. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence and its subset of machine learning are practically a requirement for an Industry 4.0-enabled smart factory. The whole premise around this new industrial revolution is to take out manual processing, and AI is the primary tool to use in its place.

4. The Cloud

We don’t have or want to use the massive amount of space required to physically store vast volumes of data created in an Industry 4.0 operation. This is what makes cloud storage and computing an absolute necessity and key cog in a connected factory. 

5. Cybersecurity

Because every touchpoint in the manufacturing operation is connected and digitized in Industry 4.0, there is an extra need for robust cybersecurity. Manufacturing machinery, computer systems, data analytics, the cloud, and any other system connected via IoT should be protected.

Industry 4.0 inspires its design and management automates processes from concept through design, simulation and manufacture with Intelligent Engineering but still needs skilled engineers and experienced managers to do this as most systems start as a blank canvas. We are no doubt getting closer to self-learning systems but at the moment we’re happy to use technology to support a system that is increasingly being automated. Maybe one day we will be able to access and re-use all the data available to innovate new products and create them instantly in the most effective and efficient way and with little or no human content.