Ricardo Weber provides thought leadership on how optimising manufacturing processes in the digital age will impact the manufacturing sector for Process Industry Informer.
Industry 4.0 is transforming the way that manufacturers operate. Digital transformation is paving the way for future technological innovation, allowing manufacturers to work smarter through the streamlining and simplifying of complex processes.
Set to improve manufacturing productivity by 30-35% by 2030, there is no doubt that the adoption of digital technologies (such as 5G) is key for manufacturers to remain competitive, productive, and efficient in the future. The impact this will have on traditional processes is profound.
Industry 4.0 is the term that conceptualises the rapid change to technology, industries, and societal patterns and processes in the 21st century due to increasing interconnectivity and smart automation. It represents the fourth industrial revolution and describes the move to cyber physical systems and technology-led manufacturing environments.
However, an industrial revolution does not happen overnight; manufacturers must have an open mind to implementing new technologies and processes.
Many organisations will be wondering how the implementation of Industry 4.0 processes can impact their operations. Implementing digital technology in factory environments supports the transition from manual to automatic processes. Workers will adapt to working alongside new and better-connected machinery, as well as learning new skills to pursue digital-powered jobs in the future.
The reason why Industry 4.0 processes are so important is that they enable faster and smarter communication between devices in the factory, without any human interaction needed. This allows for a faster (or even automated) decision-making process and creates higher value for the manufacturer and customer as they benefit from highly skilled, knowledge-intensive manufacturing operations.
