Digitization has found its way into daily life and has heralded a new era in manufacturing. It has created opportunities for improved efficiency, higher revenues and increased innovation.
Often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or “Industry 4.0,” this shift is transforming U.S. manufacturing by allowing manufacturers to design, model and validate products in a virtual world.
Nine technology trends form the building blocks of Industry 4.0. They include:
BENEFITS OF INDUSTRY 4.0
Industry 4.0 has the power to positively impact manufacturers by:
- Enhancing computational power and connectivity
- Promoting human-machine interaction
- Focusing on analytics and intelligence
- Encouraging advanced production methods
LISTEN TO YOUR BUSINESS
It is easy to become overwhelmed when considering adopting new technologies. The first step to implementing technology is to understand the voices of both the business and the customer to identify how the organization could benefit from innovations. Proper prioritization using a needs-based assessment can result in an adoption that is both strategically sound and capable of generating savings to support further investments going forward.
BEGIN THE PROCESS WITH A TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT
Drawing from knowledge and experience with the many disciplines of Industry 4.0, The Center’s experts help manufacturers understand how technology could aid in their business growth and assist with implementation. Using our Technology Opportunity Assessment, we work with you in a hands-on, personalized capacity to enable your company to identify technologies that will provide maximum improvements and return on investment.
The Center’s two-hour Technology Opportunity Assessment involves answering 40 quantitative and qualitative questions. Questions are related to the Voice of Business/Voice of Customer, Systems such as documented processes or standard work procedures, and Technology including any existing applications of automation in your facility. Using data and information provided by your company, The Center assigns rankings to each response according to how strong your current practices are for each category, effectively highlighting the main opportunities for improvement.
Based on the findings from the questionnaire and observations made during the assessment, we generate a summary report outlining opportunities for business improvement and increased efficiency. The Center is then able to create a unique and personalized plan for technology implementation within your facility. Suggestions are based on identified opportunities for improvement and areas that could most benefit from technology adoption, complete with projected returns on investment.
With expertise in project management, The Center can help establish an adoption strategy, scope the project, align suppliers with vetted resources and manage implementations to ensure business and customer needs are met.
SEE INDUSTRY 4.0 IN ACTION AT THE CENTER
To demonstrate some of the applications, The Center has implemented various Industry 4.0 technologies to create our "Real Factory 4.0". This technology-driven environment provides clients with the opportunity to not only observe and learn about technology, but to gain a truly hands-on experience with it as well. This simulated factory involves examples of sensors and IIoT, data and analysis, assistive reality, cobotics, 3D design, simulation and additive manufacturing, all in a cyber-secure environment.
VIEW OUR REAL FACTORY 4.0 HERE.
DOWNLOAD ‘INDUSTRY 4.0 AT THE CENTER’ PRESENTATION HERE
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Manufacturing Execution Systems: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You (6/25/2021)
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Autonomous Mobile Robots: A Solution to Your Production Problems? (3/5/2021)
Industry 4.0 Foundations: Augmented & Virtual Reality (3/3/2021)
Industry 4.0 Foundations: Robotics & Automation (2/24/2021)
Industry 4.0 Foundations: Cloud Computing (2/17/2021)
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The Cost of Not Knowing (2/5/2021)
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Industry 4.0 and ISO 9001 Quality Management (Part 2) (1/29/2021)
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Industry 4.0 and ISO 9001 Quality Management (Part 1) (1/20/2021)
Transitioning from Industry 3.0 to 4.0: “To Infinity and Beyond!” (12/18/2020)
Reengineer Your Business for Growth by Improving from Reactive IT to Proactive OT (12/4/2020)
ISO 9001 – A Key to Cybersecurity? (Part 2) (11/6/2020)
ISO 9001 – A Key to Cybersecurity? (Part 1) (10/9/2020)
9 Reasons Cybersecurity Should Be a Priority in Your Business Right Now (8/14/2020)
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A Closer Look: Current State of Cybersecurity in the Defense Industry (12/13/2019)
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Cybersecurity: Heightened Risk Calls for Heightened Risk Management (5/10/2019)
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Are You Using Your Data to its Full Potential? (3/15/2019)
When Lean and Six Sigma Meet Industry 4.0 (1/25/2019)
Defense Contractors: Is Your Information Protected? (1/11/2019)
Redefining Manufacturing in 2019 (1/4/2019)
5 Steps to Cyber Safety: IT Perspective (10/19/2018)
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5 Steps to Cyber Safety: Business Perspective (10/5/2018)
Get a Peek into the Factory of the Future (9/14/2018)
Automation and the Workforce: Addressing the 800-Pound Gorilla in the Room (5/4/2018)
Want Big Data? Start Small With Your ERP (3/9/2018)
Revised NIST Standard Might Impact Your Compliance (1/12/2018)
Industry 4.0 On a Budget (12/15/2017)
What You Can Do to Protect Your Business from Cyber-Attacks (10/27/2017)
Small-Business Cybersecurity is Twice as Nice as Pumpkin Spice (10/13/2017)
Are Your Employees Making Your Business Vulnerable to Cyber-Attacks? (8/4/2017)
To learn more about how The Center can assist in your technological implementations, contact us at inquiry@the-center.org or 888.414.6682.