We already know that technology brings great advantages to the industry, such as productivity, reducing costs and improving the quality of products and processes.
The fourth revolution or industry 4.0 is associated with the application of new technologies and digital connectivity, that is, connecting machines, systems and networks throughout the production system, based on automation and information control, bringing substantial improvements to how products are manufactured.
According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Industry 4.0 is structured around nine pillars:
1. Horizontal and Vertical Integration System
Horizontal and vertical integration is already happening, horizontal integration is connectivity between factories and stakeholders and vertical integration is internal connectivity between departments, functions, and resources.
With horizontal and vertical integration, everyone will benefit, especially with connectivity, data flow and process flow optimization. Industry 4.0 will enable a truly automated value chain.
2. Additive Manufacturing
We are at the beginning of the adoption of additive manufacturing, for example 3D printing, used primarily to create prototypes and produce individual and complex components, as well as to offer custom builds faster. This type of technology will reduce costs and lead time.
3. Autonomous robots
Robotics is already growing exponentially each year, but as a pillar of the fourth industrial revolution, robots will interact with other robots and work safely with humans. As the years go by and technology advances, these robots will cost less and their abilities expanded far more than we know today.
4. Big Data
Real-time data collection and evaluation from many different sources (tablets, smartphones, notebooks, GPS, PC, cameras, etc.), as well as management systems will become standard for decision making. Monitoring utilities usage in real-time through an EMS such as Energy Monitoring System – ANT Solutions will help managers to create indicators, structure goals, make decisions and create good business strategies.
As this data collection takes place in real time and based on several integrated sources, it allows the factory to optimize the quality of production, saving time, energy, as well as improving the quality of work and the use of equipment.
5. IoT (Internet of Things)
Basically the internet of things is integrated computing, the integrated connection of objects capable of gathering and transmitting data. For example, this has already been done at home with appliances and in cars.
All of this happens through sensors that allow device-to-device communication. The use of applications will be fundamental to carry out this communication.
6. Simulation
We already use simulators, but digital reproduction will be used more widely in the industry, the focus will be on mirroring the physical environment in a virtual model. This will help reduce failures and increase quality. Processes and products will be tested more effectively, and with their virtualization, decision-making will be faster.
7. Cybersecurity
With the increase in connectivity, it will be necessary to increase information security, cyber threats increase every day, it will be necessary to create ways to protect the system, making communications safe and reliable. The vice president of the GARTNER Group predicts that 5 years from now, companies will generate more data than ever before, all via an integrated system, information security systems will have to evolve in data security and governance.
8. The Cloud
The cloud promoted a change in the traditional way of using resources, as it eliminated hardware and software costs, provided greater speed, productivity and performance in networks.
With the increasing flow of data, the industry will need more space for data sharing. Cloud performance tends to improve and data will increasingly be deployed in the cloud, enabling data-driven services.
9. Augmented reality
Augmented reality is the integration of virtual elements or information with elements of the real world through the camera. An example of this tool was used for entertainment, such as the game Pokémon GO. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality brings information from the digital world into perception from the real world.
Within Industry 4.0, augmented reality will support a variety of activities, such as selecting parts from stock, or sending instructions via mobile devices. Augmented reality will provide the industry with better decision making.
So is your company ready for Industry 4.0?
