Industry 4.0 / IIoT

Factory automation has traditionally provided the food industry with faster, more reliable and cleaner production capacity - however, with the advent of the smart factory and commercial AI the factory of the very near future is starting to make production efficiency improvement decisions itself.

In May, in response to limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rockwell Automation ran its first online technology event: VirtualConnect, which focused on Smart Manufacturing. It featured two tracks of video presentations, complete with live Q&A from the speakers; a fully virtualised show floor, with access to experts and specialists from across the industry; and the opportunity to network with peers from around the globe.

Siemens has announced the expansion of its ODB++ language intelligent, single data-structure for transferring PCB designs into fabrication, assembly and test with a unified electronics manufacturing solution of open data formats for the entire digital thread.

Witnessing stupendous growth in the recent past, smart technologies have been performing well on the back of rising adoption of analytics and cyber security tools. The global smart factory market value surpassed $95bn in 2019. A new study has projected a solid double-digit growth for the market during forecast period, 2020 - 2030.

Mouser Electronics has signed a global agreement with Brainboxes to distribute the company's data and IO connectivity products. UK-based Brainboxes develops, manufactures and supports its own core technologies, including Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth, PCI Express and PCI products.

Data collection in manufacturing is a valuable asset for organisations to optimise their processes and better understand how their productions lines are operating but it has to date been very limited in scope. In previous times, data was gathered from a piece of equipment and scrutinised for areas of improvement.

Two vibrating fork (vibronic) level instruments have been released by Endress+Hauser. The FTL51B features Industry 4.0 and IIoT capabilities, including access via wireless Bluetooth technology, automatic proof tests and verification, and easy commissioning via a mobile device.

The implementation of the smart factory concept is designed to deliver ever increasing efficiency and productivity. By providing a continuous stream of data flowing across an entire enterprise and beyond, it is possible to monitor and manage manufacturing processes in real-time. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology is bringing what was on the horizon for Smart Manufacturing closer by offering an increasingly holistic approach to industrial communications today. Here, John Browett, General Manager of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) – Europe, looks at the key aspects of TSN that will change global industry and what to consider when adopting this technology.

FANUC’s open industrial IoT platform, called ‘FIELD system’, evaluates data from machines and systems centrally. The system can connect production machines of all manufacturers by means of a local network topology, enabling comprehensive data analysis of the entire process line. In this infrastructure, apps from FANUC and from third-party suppliers are used. Now igus has developed a smart plastics app for the new system. 

Critical Manufacturing launched their new version 7 of their modern Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for I4.0. V7 adds exciting, futuristic and valuable features to MES recognised for its I4.0-ready, highly adaptable and user-friendly design. The V7 comprises of four modules: