- Automotive Industry
- Industry 4.0 journey
Industry 4.0: Process improvements in real time
Industrial automation allows machines to operate autonomosly. A programmed set of instructions directs the machine's actions based on parameter specifications. Industry 4.0 takes this a step further. Beyond automating plant-level systems, it unlocks trapped data from sensors, valves, and other devices. This data can be converted into actionable insights, improving processes in real-time, even from remote locations. Using an edge processor implemented with machine-specific algorithms , you can predict, fine-tune, and improve processes at the individual machine level.
Industry 4.0 architecture
With ifm technology the journey to Industry 4.0 can be simple. Eliminiate friction, with a plug and work solution.
Your Industry 4.0 readiness checklist:
Digital transformation can be simple if you take a strategic approach from the beginning.
- Strategic alignment: Define the objective for adopting Industry 4.0. Start with one application or case study that aligns with an important overall business goal.
Could identifying the machines using the most energy help you identify processes to optimize, in order to reduce this cost?
Would deploying more points of inspection with automated tracking data sent to your MES help increase traceability?
Would ensuring 100% availability of a critical machine during peak production times help you meet increased customer demand?
Could reducing water consumption help you meet sustainability goals that your customers care about?
- Evaluate & build your technology stack: Do you have the right technologies to support an IIoT initiative and are they ready to scale without involving integration specialists or consultants?
- Digital technology selection: Identify suitable technologies such as connected sensors, communication protocols, and automation companies that can deliver the information you need to prove the concept will work.
- Technologies should deliver on a proof of concept and easily scale for a successful implementation
- Open source technologies help you avoid locking your data into proprietary systems
- Data integration: Ensure that your data sources are designed to integrate with other open-source technologies. Selecting the right agnostic technologies allows you to seamlessly send your machine data to many software options.
- Process optimization: To adequately measure return on investment, you will need to benchmark your current processes with automation and visualization of data collection. This allows you to communicate the success of an initiative quickly.
- Process mapping: Document and analyze existing processes to identify areas for improvement.
- Automation opportunities: Identify tasks that can be automated to enhance efficiency.
- Lean implementation: Implement lean practices to reduce waste and streamline production.
- Reduce training requirements: Identify bottleneck technology that requires specialized training to troubleshoot.
- Quality control technologies: Adopt advanced quality control technologies for continuous monitoring and improvement.
- Monitoring & analytics: Implement real-time monitoring and analytics to measure performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Continuous Improvement: establish a process for ongoing review of your technology stack to ensure you have the correct solutions to fit your need as your facility grows or business goals change. This helps to have continued alignment and buy-in from management.
- Periodic Reviews: Regularly review and assess the Industry 4.0 strategy to ensure alignment with evolving business goals.
- Invest in R&D: Invest in research and development to stay ahead of technological advancements in the industry.
Adopting Industry 4.0 initiatives in an automotive or automotive parts manufacturing facility requires a strategic approach. Upfront planning can ensure any experimental technology or process improvement does not sacrifice product quality or safety. Selecting and investing in the right technologies from the beginning can help to ensure a successful transition. This checklist can serve as a starting point to help you assess if you have the resources to start an Industry 4.0 initiative.
