9 Internet Technology Trends Related to the Industry 4.0 Era
Reprinted from China Gongkong on December 14, 2015:
The Boston Consulting Group released a report that introduced nine technology trends in the era of Industry 4.0 and explored their potential technical and economic benefits. These nine technological advances have been applied to manufacturing, and with the advent of Industry 4.0, they will change the way production: independent and optimized cells will be fully integrated into automated production processes, changing the relationship between suppliers, producers and customers. Traditional relationships have also changed the relationship between humans and machines.
1. Big data and analytics
The big data-based analysis model of industrial computers has only recently appeared in the global manufacturing industry in large numbers. Its advantages lie in the ability to optimize product quality, save energy, and improve equipment services. In the context of Industry 4.0, data from different sources such as development systems, production systems, enterprise and customer management systems will be evaluated comprehensively, making it a standard to support real-time decision-making. For example, German semiconductor maker Infineon has adopted a method of correlating single chips to help detect faulty chips to improve production quality.
2. Autonomous robots
Manufacturers in many industries have long used robots to handle complex jobs, but robots are constantly evolving and can even be used in larger utilities. They become more autonomous, flexible and cooperative. Ultimately, they will work side by side with humans, and humans will learn from them. These robots will cost less and have a wider range of applications than robots previously used in manufacturing.
In many industries, robots have long been used to handle complex tasks and are still evolving. They are becoming more autonomous and flexible, and will eventually learn to interact with, work safely with, and learn from humans. These robots will be less expensive and more useful, capable of taking on more complex roles.
For example, Gujia Home Furnishing already uses machinery and equipment from European manufacturers. The robots are interconnected so that they can work together and automatically adjust their actions to match the next unfinished product line. High-end sensors and control units guarantee close cooperation with humans. Likewise, industrial robotics supplier ABB has launched a two-armed robot, dubbed "corn," specifically designed to assemble products (such as consumer electronics) alongside humans. The application of computer vision technology guarantees the realization of safe interaction and part identification.
3. Simulation
During the engineering phase, 3D simulation of materials and products was used, but in the future, simulation will be more widely used in plant operation. Simulations will leverage real-time data to mirror the real world in virtual models, including machines, products, people, and more, allowing operators to test and optimize in virtual modeling. Siemens, for example, has developed virtual machines that can be simulated, reducing machining processes by 80 percent.
4. Horizontal and vertical system integration
At present, most IT systems are not fully integrated, the connection between companies, suppliers and customers is not close, and the functions from the enterprise to the workshop lack complete integration. Even the engineering itself, from product to factory automation, lacks full integration. With the advent of Industry 4.0, there will be more cohesion between companies and departments, and the development of data integration networks will enable true automation of the value chain.
For example, Dassault Systèmes and cloud provider BoostAeroSpace have teamed up to create AirDesign, a collaborative platform for the European aerospace and defense industry. The platform can be used as a collaborative workshop for workspace design and manufacturing, or as a private cloud service. It is responsible for the complex task of managing the exchange of product and production data between multiple parties.
5. Internet of Things
Today, there are only a few manufacturers of sensors and devices with networked and embedded computing, often in a vertical pyramid, still some distance away from entering the level of intelligence and automation in the overall control system. As the IoT industry grows, more devices and even more unfinished products will be connected using standard technologies that can communicate in the field and provide real-time responses.
Drive and control systems supplier Bosch Rexroth has produced a semi-automatic valve production facility that can analyze the production process decentrally. Products are identified by radio frequency identification codes, and workstations are able to "know" the production steps that each product must perform in order to perform specific operations at the right time.
6. Network Security
Many businesses still rely on unconnected or offline management and production systems, and in the era of Industry 4.0, connectivity has increased and cybersecurity threats have increased dramatically. But one can have confidence in the whole new framework, with industrial equipment suppliers joining forces to collaborate and acquire cybersecurity companies.
Seven, cloud computing
In the era of Industry 4.0, data sharing across sites and enterprises is more necessary, and at the same time, the performance of cloud technology will increase, and it will only be possible to respond in milliseconds. The result is that equipment data will be stored in the cloud, production systems can provide more data-driven services, and many industrial monitoring and control processing will also go to the cloud.
8. Additive Manufacturing
Companies are already adopting additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing individual components. Entering Industry 4.0, this additive manufacturing method will be more widely used in the production of low-volume customized products, which can lead to a variety of complex and lightweight shapes. A high-performance and decentralized additive manufacturing system will reduce transport distances and inventory. Airlines, for example, have used additive manufacturing processes in new designs to both reduce aircraft weight and reduce the cost of raw materials such as titanium.
9. Augmented reality
Augmented reality supports various services, such as you can pick parts in a warehouse and send repair orders via mobile devices. These systems are currently in their infancy, and companies will use augmented reality more widely in the future to provide workers with real-time information and improve decision-making and work procedures. This system has already entered the market in the form of Google Glass, where workers can see actual scenes through virtual reality glasses.
Another application for IPCs is virtual training. Siemens has developed a virtual factory operator training module that uses augmented reality glasses to create a 3D environment based on data from factory personnel dealing with emergencies.
