MANUFACTURING INTELLIGENCE: POWERED BY INDUSTRY 4.0

Conventional automotive supply chain manufacturing maintenance has relied upon empirical observations and human measurements of equipment. This approach could only sample machine performance at discrete intervals. It was plagued by repeatability issues based on the measurement time of day, human interpretation error, and sensor placement.  A more modern representation of the same maintenance method now can be performed digitally through intelligent simulations of what is...

As Industry 4.0 continues to mature across manufacturing enterprises globally, many assume that new technologies will replace old methodologies to spur continued improvements in efficiency and production.  And while that may be the case for some applications, it is also true that these new technologies can be complementary to existing practices. One such methodology that aligns especially well with the value offerings of Industrial IoT applications is that of Total...

The automotive industry is second to none for world class quality controls across their entire supply chain. To maintain this standard, suppliers must adhere to rigid development requirements tracking, proven manufacturing systems and must be open to periodic process audits. This can often mean requiring defect levels that are below 1 dpm (defect per million) at the component level. In order to achieve these levels of outgoing quality, each intermediary step in the...

As buzzwords go, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have been prominent features in manufacturing shop floors throughout the last decade, and this isn’t going to change anytime soon. According to Bsquare’s annual survey, 86% of manufacturing enterprises have adopted different forms of IoT to enhance shop floor operations. This makes it only fair to acknowledge the growing influence of IoT, and brings to question how it will continue to...

Industry 4.0 and Its Role in Training Tomorrow’s Workforce Once again, the manufacturing industry is in a state of flux. The rise of several emerging technologies is bringing some excitement to an industry known for its repetitive processes while at the same time the backbone of this century’s industrialization drive is retiring. And yes, we mean the baby boomer generation. Statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that although boomers are working longer than...

As technology advances at a blistering pace, many industries are finding new and creative ways to create and sustain value through its use.  With a regular stream of news stories about drones, 3D printing, and a host of other attention-grabbing tech innovations, many overlook one of the biggest growth areas for the deployment of new technology – traditional manufacturing. For many, the word “manufacturing” conjures up stock images.  From dull, loud, and dirty factories to...

Tackling Complex Automotive Manufacturing Problems With IIoT Automotive manufacturing must stay nimble to satiate the demands of a dynamic market. Operational challenges will continue to abound in a complex, globally competitive environment and factories that support multiple automotive models with customized optional features will require an agile workflow. This means that production processes will become less linear and more modular. Single purpose fixed machines must now...

Optimizing Production Efficiency through Data-Driven Manufacturing Strategies Although diverse data capturing technologies exist, manufacturers still struggle to use them. It's due to this major challenge that the goal of data-driven manufacturing seems all the more unachievable.  However, there are a few data driven approaches you can take when optimizing production efficiency. These approaches include making use of Industrial IoT to capture shop floor data, deploying shop...

Is an MES or IIoT Platform (or Both) the Best Option for You? The increasing use of industrial automation in process and discrete manufacturing facilities have put the manufacturing execution system (MES) market in a transitional period.  On one hand, the MES market is expected to grow in value to approximately $23 billion by 2024. On the other hand, emerging solutions such as IIoT platforms, cloud-based automation solutions, and SaaS platforms are challenging its hold on...

Below is what we will cover in this in-depth article on edge computing in manufacturing. Select a link if you would like to jump to a particular section: An Introduction to Edge Computing in Manufacturing What is Edge Computing? What is an Edge Computing Platform? What is an Edge Device? The Relationship Between Edge and Cloud Edge Computing Use Cases in Manufacturing How the Connectivity Landscape in Manufacturing is Changing   An Introduction to Edge Computing in...