Industry 4.0, also called smart industry
Industry 4.0, also called intelligent industry, is considered the fourth industrial revolution and seeks to transform the company into an intelligent organization to achieve the best business results.
The industry is in the midst of a digital transformation exponentially accelerated by rapidly growing technologies such as sensors, robotics (will further automate processes), drones (will transform logistics), 3D printing (instead of buying products.
We will buy the plans and we will manufacture them, when we want and in the desired quantity), the internet of things (everything will be connected), Big Data (we will organize that large amount of information) and augmented reality (we will carry out the maintenance of the assets thanks to the examination through a technological device).
Industry 4.0, therefore, is a concept that unites the technologies that gave way to the third industrial revolution (automation processes and new production technologies) with the technologies of the information age, such as storage, processing and transmission. massive data.
The union of these two paths leads to 4 essential elements of industry 4.0, which are:
- Cyberphysical systems.
- The Internet of Things.
- The Big Data.
- Cloud Computing (or Internet of services).
Features
- Vertical connection in the form of a network: Cyber-physical Systems are interconnected with each other and with workers, managers, developers, suppliers, customers and even with the product itself once sold, thanks to the Internet of Things and the Internet of Services (Cloud Computing). ).
- Virtualization: The real world of the plant is captured by sensors, creating a virtual image of it, which is in turn connected to Simulation Models, Predictive Analysis Applications and Decision Support Software. All this helped by Big Data.
- Decentralization: Decision-making is executed by Cyber-physical Systems, aided by Predictive Models and Applications for Decision-Making.
- Reaction in real time: The capture of the information, its processing and the decisions made in this regard are carried out in real time.
- Customer orientation: The Industry 4.0 architecture is designed to establish direct feedback between the user, the product and its designer.
- Modularity: In such a changing market, a Smart Factory must adapt to the changes that occur in the market quickly and efficiently. While doing a market study and a production change can take at least a week, smart factories are prepared to adapt to change quickly and follow market trends.
- Advanced analytics: Without a doubt, it is one of the most valuable parts of this industry 4.0, the ability to improve and optimize production programs and processes is a vital part of any company that wants to maintain a high level of productivity and efficiency. Advanced analysis to make planning decisions is of vital importance in these 4.0 factories, achieving greater agility in the production chain and thus avoiding bottlenecks.
Advantages
- More refined, repetitive processes are obtained without errors or alterations. Thus, we achieve uninterrupted production and available 24 hours a day. A notable advantage for highly seasonal companies, for example
Quality levels are optimized. Process automation allows greater precision in weights, measures and mixtures.
- Obviously, the greater the efficiency, the greater the cost savings. Automated processes require fewer personnel, fewer errors and greater energy efficiency, raw materials, etc.
- Production times are drastically cut.
- Greater safety is achieved for the personnel involved in each process. This point is especially important for work at high temperatures, with heavy weights or in dangerous environments.
- Production is much more flexible, since the product is adaptable to the requirements of each particular company.
The flow of data is now much more efficient thanks to communication networks. Reaction times and decision-making are reduced.
As it’s logical, business competitiveness is much higher. A better response is given to the needs of the markets, high-quality products are offered and a faster and more flexible reaction to changes is made.
It ensures great potential to connect millions of people through digital networks.
Thanks to the new industry, asset management is more sustainable, and can even regenerate the natural environment.
The efficiency of organizations improves in effectiveness in a manifest way.
Impacts
- Ecosystems. In addition to the change in which companies operate and in the production of goods, Industry 4.0 affects all agents in the ecosystem (suppliers, customers, regulatory considerations, investors, third parties…). These technologies allow interactions between each point of a network.
- Organizations. The ability to adjust and learn from real-time data can make organizations more responsive, proactive, and predictive. Likewise, it allows the organization to reduce its risks in terms of productivity.
- Individuals. Industry 4.0 can mean different things to everyone. For example, for employees it may mean a change in the work they are going to do, while for customers it would mean greater customization in products and services that better meet their needs.