Smart technologies are a key component of Industry 4.0, encompassing everything from cobots to artificial intelligence (AI) to smart machine tools. The manufacturing industry is steadily advancing during this fourth industrial revolution and continuing on the path of digital transformation. Smart technologies are at the forefront of this transformation, laying the groundwork for advanced manufacturing.
Real-time data, automation, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) — all of these are important trademarks of the evolving manufacturing industry. Each of these advanced technologies is used to develop smart factories. One technology in particular has been instrumental in the creation of these interconnected manufacturing plants — smart machine tools. These tools are the stepping-stones to digitally linked factories.
How Smart Machine Tools Lead to Smart Factories
Smart machine tools utilize software to improve a machine’s performance, thereby increasing the machine’s capacity or output. This software also collects data that manufacturers can analyze to improve the production process or determine when a machine requires maintenance. Additionally, smart machine tools can share data with other smart tools in different machines. This creates the foundation for a connected factory.
Smart machine tools virtually connect machines, but a smart factory also requires connected systems. All software within the factory has to be able to communicate. Smart machine tools are simply the first step. Once all the machines are connected, this linked network can be connected to the factory’s main data center or operations hub. After all the technologies in a factory are communicating, it becomes a smart factory.
The capabilities of a smart factory facilitate real-time monitoring. This ability to monitor operations will lead to optimized production and significant cost savings within smart manufacturing plants. These advancements were all made possible because of the implementation of smart machine tools, which enable a factory to optimize the manufacturing process and automate day-to-day operations.
Improving Operational Efficiency with Smart Factories
The infrastructure of a smart factory allows machines to communicate and make decisions without the aid of humans. Smart factories leverage machine learning, AI and automation to optimize production and output. Smart machine tools utilize machine sensors and production data to evaluate a machine’s performance. These evaluations enable manufacturers to analyze this data against benchmarks.
Such extensive data on every machine and process in the factory is invaluable. It makes it possible for manufacturers to rapidly identify current or potential slowdowns and adjust schedules as needed. Some integrated smart machine tools can even predict when a machine or part needs maintenance. This allows manufacturers to proactively prepare for machine downtimes.
The implementation of smart machine tools and the rise of smart factories have led to autonomous operations. Automated technologies and autonomous decisions now guide the day-to-day processes of manufacturing plants. In addition to optimizing production and reducing costs at these factories, this frees up human workers. Now employees can spend time on creative strategies, focus on process improvements and continue to identify smart manufacturing technologies.
The Rise of Smart Factories in Northeast Manufacturing
Manufacturing plants are making a comeback in the United States, and smart factories are going to be a prominent feature. Northeast manufacturing in particular is focused on advancing manufacturing innovations and intertwining technology into the industry. Aerospace, medical technology and additive manufacturing are just a few of the advanced manufacturing industries taking shape in the Northeastern United States.
Due to the area’s investment in smart manufacturing technologies and other industry innovations, the Northeast is ideal for the growth of smart factories. It’s a region to pay attention to as current factories continue to automate operations and new, vastly interconnected factories are built.
To learn more about manufacturing industry trends, or to discover new advanced manufacturing technologies and companies around the Northeast, check out EASTEC.