The Rise of Smart Factories
What are Smart Factories
A Smart Factory is exactly what you might think it is, they’re simply smarter factories but what does this mean? It is a network of interconnected machines powered by automation.
Systems collect and share data with machines linked within the network. This data serves to address problems, enhance weaknesses, and boost production. They are the pillar of Industry 4.0 which is based on boost efficiency and productivity. Smart factories are highly automated in comparison to traditional factories as can be seen at Mitsubishi Electric in Thailand who use AMR’S and VR to boost performance and meet demand. Take a look at Mitsubishi Electrics efforts on smart automation and manufacturing.
Key Components
Connectivity
In a smart factory, all components connect through the IoT (Internet of Things). Sensors, actuators, and controllers spread throughout the factory and machines collect data to monitor and control manufacturing processes. This ensures efficient operations, immediate issue resolution, and comprehensive monitoring of all processes.
Automation
Automation through robotic solutions drives the smart factory revolution by freeing workers for more skilled tasks. Robots automate repetitive, potentially dangerous tasks such as lifting or carrying loads thus enhancing safety. Robotic arms, like those of a Universal Robot, are seen throughout smart factories. Safety features in every robot ensure safety, and cobots are designed to work hand in hand with humans. This is for the benefit of both a business and their human counterparts. Staff do not want to be doing repetitive tasks as they will lose concentration. Robots allow those staff to be freed up.
Analytics
As mentioned earlier, continuous monitoring in a smart factory ensures ongoing process improvement. However, collected machine data remains useless until it undergoes processing. Thus, processing it enables algorithms to identify patterns and optimize operations..
Cybersecurity
Similar to anything connected to a cloud, smart factories are also vulnerable to cycber attacks. This makes cybersecurity crucial to protecting computers and cloud storage to ensure safety and reliability of the smart factory. Measures need to be taken at every stage of the process including sensors used, effective firewalls and detection systems are recommended.
Flexible
Factories must be able to adapt to changing environments and demands. Cobots have the ability to perform different tasks on a production line an this can greatly help boost flexibility in the factory. Having machines that can perform multiple different tasks can help to reduce costs for specialised equipment and reduce downtime for each robot.
Collaboration with humans
Smart factories aim to use the phyiscal abilities and motor skills of humans to maximise the potential that automation can bring to the workplace. Humans should be at the centre of any automation implementation. For instance, setting up a TCP on an Universal Robot needs human interaction consequentially, a robot can begin its task. Other methods include Virtual Reality to interact with a robot to teach it how to perform its task.
Human oversight is critical to a successful smart factory, we have the decision making skills to make judgements on automation decisions and optimise the processes carried out. The staff on production lines or who work in warehouses can help to contribute to the automation revolution and ease the burden placed on them. Humans are also able to make the ethical decisions necessary to ensure there are no job losses as a result.
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