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A smart factory is quite simply a highly digitized shop floor that continuously collects and shares data through connected machines, devices, and production systems. The data can then be used by self-optimizing devices across the organization to proactively resolve issues, improve manufacturing processes and respond to evolving customer demands.<\/span><\/p>\n Several cutting-edge technologies work together in a symphony to create a smart factory including, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Industrial Internet of Things.<\/span><\/p>\n By integrating the physical and digital world, smart factories give you a clear picture of the entire production process, right from manufacturing tools and supply chain to individual operators on the shop floor. When utilized correctly,<\/span> fabrication intelligente<\/span><\/a> renders operations flexible, adaptable, and optimizable.<\/span><\/p>\n Industrial IoT refers to a system of interconnected devices, machines, and processes, which are linked by data communication systems to facilitate the exchange and use of data between people and machines.<\/span><\/p>\n Typically these instruments have sensors, which collect meaningful data on the cloud or an offline database. This data can be used to track and identify ways to improve manufacturing processes on the shop floor.<\/span><\/p>\n Sensors attached to devices and machines collect and generate actionable data insights at different stages of the manufacturing process. For example, temperature sensors in a cleanroom can track and detect the climate in a lab and share that data through an IoT gateway.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This data can be used to alert team members for a review or self-correct using AI to resolve any deviations or anomalies.<\/span><\/p>\n Cloud computing allows factories to store, process, and share data with greater flexibility and at a lower cost than traditional on-premise alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n Interconnected devices and machines on the shop floor are rendered more capable since cloud computing allows large amounts of data to be uploaded at record speeds.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The accumulation of data over time can provide insights into how efficient the production process is, key metrics to track, and which systems are underperforming.<\/span><\/p>\n Big Data can spot error patterns and run predictive quality assurance with high accuracy.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although smart manufacturing has lately been doing the rounds in manufacturing circles, a quick look at recent market conditions reveals that most manufacturers have made little progress in their<\/span> journey towards digitizing the factory floor.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Many manufacturers were steeped into multimillion-dollar Industry 4.0 or IoT initiatives, but without any results to show for their efforts. Let\u00e2€™s explore why this is the case with some examples.<\/span><\/p>\n As coronavirus swept through the world, some manufacturers hastened to pivot and keep up with the changing market scenario. Ford Motor Company lent its manufacturing expertise to the <\/span>medical industry to build lifesaving machines and equipment.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bacardi manufactured<\/span><\/a> hand sanitizer, and <\/span>Purell dramatically increased<\/span><\/a> production. <\/span>Nike added face shields<\/span><\/a> to its product line and <\/span>Gucci made face masks<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, many <\/span>toilet paper companies<\/span><\/a>, such as Angel Soft, couldn\u00e2€™t keep up with demand because their factories were already at 100% production during normal times.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nExplore the technologies behind a Smart Factory<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Industrial IoT (IIoT)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Sensors<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Cloud Computing<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Big Data Analytics<\/strong><\/h5>\n