The increasing complexity of production methods requires increased monitoring and more powerful tools to detect possible flaws. New technologies, especially the collection of intelligent data, facilitate this task and offer a global vision to the operators who remain free to take them into account or to ignore them. Industry 4.0 makes possible an evolution of the production system that seemed to be capped.
More flexible production processes with Industry 4.0
The smart tools used by the smart factory of Industry 4.0 are proving to be very effective levers for boosting flexibility. Digital tools and the emergence of the Internet in all areas of private and professional life favour unfiltered and more fluid communication.
Among the operators in charge of manufacturing for the final consumers, each one is able to give his word and inform at his level. Exchanges make it possible to adapt the production system more quickly. These interactions have a direct impact on production systems and the ability to produce in small quantities to meet specific demands.
Taking into account the consumer’s expectations remains the major concern of companies. The satisfaction of their needs depends on their turnover and their productivity. This interactivity is an obvious asset in this race to be competitive.
Industry 4.0 allows more traceability, quality and safety
The new systems implemented thanks to Industry 4.0 and the tools used improve the traceability of the production process. Operators can more easily detect the origin of a breakdown, and thus anticipate a failure in the manufacturing tool that could alter production.
A more precise and sequenced quality control allows to gather very reliable and complete data on the whole industry. Industry 4.0 optimizes quality and increases consumer safety. It is now possible to identify exactly where and when the system has malfunctioned.
Industry 4.0 improves product quality and safety. This can be seen in practice when a manufacturer requests the return of certain batches to the factory. The defect was usually detected after a consumer reported a defective copy. Very quickly, it is possible to identify the series and the product involved.
This progress has been made possible by better traceability and more dynamic communication through customer service and social networks. These improvements on the production line are an asset for the competitiveness and the brand image of the companies.