Industrial Revolutions:
During the last 300 years, industry has undergone a series of revolutions.
The cornerstone of Industry 4.0 is an extension of replacing humans with machines and robotics. It is also characterized by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This initiative came out of the German industry.
Of course, these trends are impacting every part of an enterprise, but our focus here is assembly. (To read about the six scenarios of industrial control, click here)
During the first three industrial revolutions centralized decision-making and command and control management was the order of the day. Today cyberspace and physical systems are melding into one.
Since 1999, Sturtevant Richmont hand tools have been radio equipped to help create what the Swedes call “SCADA” or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.” The computer controls operator function by pairing tools with parameters and only the tool paired with the active parameter can be used to work.
The tool works with a controller to determine whether or not each fastener was compliant, and it also counts the number of fasteners in a batch to monitor that all required work is being done.
In writing for the June 20, 2016 edition of Forbes Magazine, Bernard Marr stated “for a factory or system to be considered Industry 4.0, it must include:
Marr also stated that “with any major shift, there are challenges inherent in adopting an Industry 4.0 model:
Some, but not all solutions to create a fully functional Industry 4.0 require resource-heavy investments. In addition to the capital expense, training and implementation costs often create a reluctance to move ahead.
In today’s industrial world, with quality being so close, the advantage goes to those who can quickly come down the cost curve. In addition, the demand for documentation of quality places increasing pressure on manufacturers to implement Industry 4.0.
A centralized MES system is the cornerstone of Industry 4.0. There are several MES options on the market that are do not require heavy resource investments. Oftentimes, the right combination of MES and torque control systems increase throughput and eliminate rework to the point where the payback is remarkably fast.
To see wireless error-proofing systems that offer a very rapid return on investment, see the TCV, PTV, Global 8, Global 400, and Global 400mp pages.