Emerging in the 2010s, theIndustry 4. 0 model has had a real impact on work within factories. It refers to the integration of new technologies (IT solutions, automation, robotization, connected devices…) in the industrial manufacturing process. From working on the machines, to inventory management or production planning, the entire implementation within the factories has been transformed. Some companies have been quick to adopt this method. As pioneers, they have shown the advantages of the industry of the future for industrial companies.
Industry 4.0 and industrial performance: examples of pioneering companies
SEAT was one of the pioneers of Industry 4.0. In 2018, the Financial Times awarded it the trophy for European leader in digital transformation. The Spanish automaker is employing AI, robots, drones and 3D printing in the vehicle production process with greater flexibility and efficiency.
It has also developed a biomechanics laboratory to design more appropriate workstations and anticipate the risks of injury or poor posture for operators assigned to production lines.
Siemens is one of those industrial companies that have adopted new technologies for their needs. It also supplies other companies with connected devices or programmable logic controllers to automate production. The use of data and the cloud has made it possible to develop an information service that warns maintenance operators of possible system failures between 12 and 36 hours before the event.
5 benefits of Industry 4.0 for industrial companies
Industry 4.0 has a direct impact on the operators in the factories. It not only improves the working conditions of companies, but also brings other benefits to the companies that choose this development process since it transforms an industry into a global interconnected system where all stakeholders and operators can interact and communicate.
Industry 4.0 is characterized by automation. Here are 5 advantages offered by this industry of the future:
- produce with agility to modulate quantities and optimize the production of specific devices thanks to smart and predictive automation;
- improve the customer experience by building a strong bond through the use of communication networks;
- reduce waste, energy and raw material consumption through data analysis;
- adapting the production tool to the employees’ capacities by providing them with more ergonomic and safe workstations;
- make predictive maintenance possible by analyzing machine performance to detect possible breakdowns and prevent obsolescence.
Producing more intelligently, but also producing better while taking care of the environment and working conditions, thus defines Industry 4.0.