Making the Switch to Smart Factory
Industry 4.0 and smart factory are a type of manufacturing technology that is swiftly transforming the manufacturing sector. This transformation offers a better way to manage, organize, and streamline standard procedures within the factory. Industry 4.0 and smart factory are a manufacturing trend that involves the use of IIoT or the industrial internet of things. IIoT allows for digitized production assistance or digitized production without the need for human intervention.
If you are a manufacturer who is considering making the switch to smart factory, the start of 2023 would be the perfect time to make the change. There are several advantages to making the switch to smart factory in 2023. These include everything from increased production, more security, and better quality products. Tekscape is a national IT managed service provider for manufacturers. We assist manufacturers in making the switch to smart factory and provide ongoing support to the factory and its employees. Read on to learn more about making the switch to smart factory.
Funding is now widely available for smart factory and smart manufacturing.
The last five years have seen lots of growth in available funding for new technology. A lot of this funding has heavily focused on digital transformation in manufacturing and supply chain technology.
The new funding is bringing new business, people, and ideas to the manufacturing sector which is both exciting and game changing. As digital transformation in manufacturing grows, funding opportunities should as well.
Digital transformation in manufacturing has exposed weaknesses in existing models of manufacturing.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the urgency to rely on newer technologies in manufacturing and really exposed the problems and weaknesses in existing models. It also showed how slowly the United States has adopted the idea of smart manufacturing and industry 4.0.
When manufacturers switched to digital models, they were also able to finally see problems relating to security issues and lack of visibility in many supply chains. With this new knowledge, the manufacturing industry has become more resistant to constant change and disruption.
Smart factory improves the efficiency of manufacturing operations.
Smart factory uses a network of sensors that collect data about the production process and equipment. This data is analyzed in cloud software which allows the manufacturer to make quick adjustments. Exploring the analysis further will help spot trends and improvement opportunities throughout the production process. The best thing about the analysis is that it is all done in real time.
The products that are produced will be of better quality.
The technology that smart factory and industry 4.0 has brought has allowed the ability to extract data points and other relevant statistics at every stage of the production process. The technology is so advanced that it even helps to figure out changes in the facility’s conditions that affect product quality. For example, heat and cold levels in a facility can change employee performance and therefore affect the quality of the product. With the data that comes with the technology, you can determine what the ideal temperature should be at for the best production in your plant.
With smart factory you get scalable infrastructure.
The costs to do the initial setup of scalable smart factory infrastructure may seem high at first but as time goes on, the infrastructure becomes much more cost effective. You can expand your facility to make room for the increasing demands of your company. With scalable infrastructure, you do not have to spend additional money on the costs of security and productivity. These are taken included within the scalable infrastructure.
Smart factory and predictive maintenance
A recent study revealed that businesses spend eighty percent of their time reacting to problems instead of preventing them. This drains the resources of the business, including money, time, and productivity. This challenge can be overcome with smart factory’s predictive and proactive maintenance capabilities. Users receive warnings in advance about a machine’s declining performance. Repair specialists can then take the steps necessary to stop the problem before it becomes a major issue. Avoiding major issues means your manufacturing facility can avoid downtime and losses.
Employees get better mobility with smart factory technology.
Authorized workers can move around the factory floor and access any data system to inspect machines. Having the ability to be mobile allows employees to be more productive and allows them the ability to come up with solutions to make the manufacturing process better. Besides allowing workers to be more productive in the facility, smart factory technology also allows workers to telecommute and collaborate with their coworkers while away from the office. If you are working with a managed service provider, the technology can also be used to allow a technician to remotely check a machine that is not working correctly from an offsite facility.
We hope you have a healthy and prosperous new year. Contact our sales team today to learn more about making the switch to smart factory in 2023.
