Industry 4.0

Automation

Connectivity

Decentralisation

Digitisation

What is it about?

Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, is characterised by the total integration of all information between the physical and digital worlds in the context of production processes. The enormous amount of data collected by interconnected and increasingly intelligent technology is at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution.

Industry 4.0 means going one step further: it is not only revolutionising the methods of manufacturing products, but also their distribution, storage and the way customers relate to companies.

We can briefly review the previous revolutions to understand the origin of the industry 4.0 :

First Industrial Revolution

The First Industrial Revolution (which we simply call the Industrial Revolution), began in England in the late 18th century and arose from the invention of the steam engine and the mechanization of the textile industry.

Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution refers to the changes that occurred between 1870 and 1914, during this period the changes suffered a strong acceleration.

Essentially, in new sources of energy such as gas, oil or electricity, new transport systems (airplane, automobile and new steam engines) and also in communication (telephone and radio).

Third Industrial Revolution

Already in the middle of the 20th century, the first computers generated the Third Industrial Revolution, marked by the use of information technology in industry and the improvement of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies).

The challenges posed by Industry 4.0 for companies

The conversion process towards industry 4.0 is confronting companies with new challenges related to:

Increasing global competitiveness

Companies must be able to adjust their production processes to rapidly changing demand while maximising their productivity. In order to do so, it is essential to implement technological advances with agility.

The necessary digital transformation of the industry

Investment in R&D&I in logistics processes has become an essential asset for the long-term economic growth of many companies and, in many cases, is the key to their survival. Innovation in the 4.0 industry environment translates into :
- Create new products for a digitalized society.
- Adopting advanced and intelligent production systems (smart factories)
- To correctly manage a complex globalised supply chain.

Training and management of human capital

Industry 4.0 is generating a demand for workers with new skills: the so-called 4.0 talent, which will provide companies with the necessary knowledge to implement technological solutions in their processes.

The new digital risks: cyber security in industry 4.0

The main challenge for cybersecurity plans in industry 4.0 is the rapidly evolving nature of computer attacks. Information theft, phishing, blocking of computer systems... the threats are very diverse and can become critical in the context of the connected industry 4.0.

A connected industry

The expansion of the fourth industrial revolution cannot be understood without mentioning the main technologies that are making it possible:

Collaborative robots (Cobots)

Although industrial robots have already been performing complex and repetitive tasks on production lines for years, they have evolved dramatically over the last few years, becoming much more autonomous and flexible, but what is undoubtedly going to set the trend in the field of industrial robotics is the insertion of Collaborative Robots in production lines. These new generation robots are capable of interacting with each other and cooperating with humans without the need for the security restrictions that have been applied up to now.

Big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

These three disciplines are deeply related to the collection and management of a huge volume of data from different sources (big data). AI, thanks to machine learning, enables computers to learn and improve processes on their own, based on historical data and repetition of operations.

Digital Twins

This technology starts with data from the physical world to recreate a virtual scenario. With this procedure, a problem can be studied or the operation of a system can be checked digitally and then the solution can be applied in the real world.

3D Simulation

The 3D simulation of production lines or logistics operations is already being used today as a tool for the design and analysis of results in many companies that wish to open new production or logistics centres, or intend to expand or optimise the operations of existing centres. However, it is expected that these tools will be key in the design and optimisation of the operations of the factories of the future, so that they will be able to project the physical world into a virtual model based on real time data.

Augmented reality

It allows you to add layers of virtual information to real environments. Through electronic devices, such as glasses or screens, users access a mixed reality in which real elements are combined with other digital ones.

Block chain

This is a new way of structuring data transmission, distributed in encrypted blocks linked to each other and identified with unique and unrepeatable numbers. Based on complex mathematical algorithms, this system ensures the inviolability of the information, being able to detect and reject any unauthorised change.

Internet of things

IoT (Internet of Things)

Industrial machinery now has the ability to communicate and share information collected through multiple sensors in real time. This allows a more in-depth analysis of the entire system and an immediate response to any eventuality.

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing

Add-on manufacturing using 3D printers allows complex parts to be produced in record time at a competitive cost by reducing logistics costs, and on the other hand facilitates the production of small series or prototypes.

Industry 4.0 Promaut

We offer you our experience to transform your company into an Industry 4.0, more efficient, flexible and with its completely automated processes. We offer you solutions in automation and robotization of processes, collaborative robotics, implementation of AGVs, wearables, Control and supervision systems, simulation and virtual commissioning.

Discover how Promaut can help you transform your factory into a 4.0 factory.

Sdo project

August 20, 2020

Train 4.0 project