INDUSTRY 4.0' Examples of Intelligent Manufacturing
EXAMPLES OF INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING:
Emerging technologies are impacting the manufacturing environment and are leading to the fourth industrial revolution. In 2011, the German Government quested to promote further ‘Industry 4.0’ and took the initiative to use these technologies to advance their production process. This strategic drive was adopted under the ‘High-Tech Strategy 2020 Action Plan’. This idea of adopting newer technology expanded the concept of ‘smart factories’.
For better visualization check the examples illustrated above:
Tesla Gigafactory:
An example of a smart factory can be Tesla’s Gigafactory at Grunheide, Berlin. It is Tesla’s biggest factory yet followed by the ones build in Nevada, Buffalo, and Shanghai. It is to be launched this year only. This will be the first of its kind. Tesla is the most advanced vehicle production plant in the world.
Tesla is trying to create cars that are not only smart but also use smart means of production. The initial pictures released show the vision and sight of creating more sustainable means of production. The factory consists of solar panels dominating the rooftop, which shows what could be the new dimension of enabling sustainability.
Tesla is forcing a new generation vision of casting systems and it is also pushing forward boundaries of vehicle safety. So the ideology of Tesla is revolutionizing the function of industries and also the car industry.
Adidas Speed Factory:
The quest to build the factory of the future led Adidas to build a speed factory. It is in Ansbach, Germany. Here robots are assisting humans in the production process. The results are more accurate and efficient. They are using 3D printing technology to easily create digital replicas or prototypes. They are quickly printed, consumer demands are also quickly manifested, and the needs are satisfied within a limited amount of time.
Adidas has reinvented production in the footwear industry by adopting new technical assistance like robots. It’s processed in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. They are now seeking the development and application of 4D technology and other ways to upgrade their manufacturing process. It’s a cut-above technology that will lead to the recreation of processes that are still used.
The Connected Factory:
The connected factory is an integration of control, visibility, and flexibility which are offered by new digital solutions which make the production process more creative. It is giving impactful results.
This industry is based in Blaichach. The two main goals are to reach an ideal state of sustainable production and the other is to empower workers. A connected factory is a production facility that uses digital technology which allows seamless transfer of information between sensors, machines, and people.
Connected manufacturing is using smart digital technologies like:
IoT
Big Data Analytics
Advanced Robotics
Artificial Intelligence
Cloud Computing
3D printing
With technology, they created Bosch’s Nexeed, a smart software suite. It helps in validating that production is running smoothly at different facilities. It reads out data from approx 60,000 sensors. This enables the user to intervene in results in mere milliseconds.
Siemens Elektronikwerk Plant:
Siemen’s Elektronikwerk plant is situated in Amberg. Efforts have been made to achieve comprehensive networking in the factory within the machines and products. It is not only an initiative to grow in the industrial world but also it has achieved the Industry 4.0 Award for the year 2018. This factory uses dashboards that continuously work on improving its products and procedures. The dashboard provides information on machine accomplishments and product quality. It enables workers to learn quickly and to react to any kind of deviations.
The company is based on the elements like:
Flexible AGVs
Digital Twins
Ambitious cycle time
3D Printing
Collaborative lightweight robots
With these elements, Siemens uses the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Solutions, and industrial computing. It helps them to achieve increased productivity, predictive maintenance, and nullify potential system failure. It enables a high degree of flexibility, reliability, and efficiency in the manufacturing sequences.
Infineon’s Smart Factory
This smart factory setup is in Dresden. The world wows with this factory setup as it is the largest and most intelligent manufacturing plant. It is achieved by involving the automation level to 92 percent with more than 200 robots. The robots are assisting workers like a pro. Infineon is the manufacturer of more than 400 products which are based on four different segments of the group. It is producing excellent and quick-quality products. This Infineon factory is the most automated and intelligent workspace in the world. The company has connected different system controls like water transport and production management to real-time via IT systems. Each system is capable to communicate with other Infineon sites around the world. Transfer activities are performed automatically, and the central intelligent factory is managed via smart operating and monitoring systems. It also uses algorithms to optimize production handling. It simulates the impact of the changes to the product profiles in advance.
The company gives its customer the freedom to elastically respond to their needs. Infineon is continuously working on finding advanced solutions and is investing in the current system problems. It will give the lead to the industrial revolution.
CLOSURE
Companies like Amazon, Matthews, HP, Hirotec, Ocado, Whirlpool, etc. have adopted this redefined industrial process. Smart production techniques helped these companies in reducing waste and approaching user-specific production. They follow a goal-oriented strategy followed by supporting technology. Only by this global presence of these companies can be felt.
Manufacturing is strengthing the economy and quality of customers. Manufacturers need to communicate with suppliers and customers and for that, they need to exchange databases. For that, they are using cloud technology. They are working on 3D technology that is manifesting great changes in the future. In 20 years smart factories will pioneer a new wave of production. It illustrates the requirement of the growing necessity of smart production processes, intelligent end products, and a smarter future.
Interesting example and conclusion right !!
You must read brief concepts and features of Industry 4.0.