A Smart Factory or Smart Manufacturer, however you'd like to refer to it, is thought to be the so-called factory of the future, introducing some intelligent technology strategies and activities to the picture. Smart Factories are considered to be an important income for the fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. It's a sensor-oriented world out there, especially as we progress towards smarter shop floors.
How can a Smart Factory or shop floor be defined? Several tactics are common throughout the workday, which act as good indicators:
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software
- Cloud Computing
- Industrial Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Real-time on-demand visibility into performance across the production flow
- Information and Technologies to improve physical process control
- Flexible, Adaptive, Proactive Production
- End-to-End integration with suppliers and customers'
The global smart manufacturing market is projected to grow from 212 billion in 2017 to 358 billion in 2023. When it comes to the overall equipment effectiveness, boosting this morale can help manufacturers increase revenue and defer their capital investment. This assists in improving workplace productivity, the overall attitude, and can reduce operational costs.
Sensor-based technology and IoT
Sensors can make it possible to monitor processes throughout the factory floor, increasing awareness about what's taking place on multiple levels of operation. Vibration Sensing provides a warning for motors, bearings, and/or other equipment that find the need to be maintained. These are best utilised in preventative maintenance or other actions that head off more significant problems if left unattended.
SDV Sensors or Self Driving Vehicle Sensors work with material handling vehicles that improve the efficiency and safety of products as they are moved around the factory floor. These robots have the ability to sense and avoid people, as well as unobstructed things in the course of completing work. Intelligent Factories are primarily fuelling Industry 4.0 as time progresses on.
Smart Equipment makes it possible to automate much of what is required to accommodate product variation and product runs. The future of manufacturing means the furtherance of customisation and minimising downtime for re-tooling and resetting equipment so that manufacturers can stay flexible during all times.
