Smart Manufacturing
digital factories to reduce time to market and improve both production flexibility and efficiency.
Digitalised factories will run on a standardised, integrated operating system based on a common data model and uniform hardware and software interfaces. This will allow automation components such as controllers and motor management to function seamlessly in a single engineering environment. This also means problems occurring in any stage of the production line can be detected and resolved quickly as the entire operating process is monitored in real-time. Production efficiency is not only optimised but time-to-market is also shortened in the long run.
A digitally transformed factory also enables the simulation of a virtual production line, where various types, volumes and placements of machines for new production processes can be tested out. These virtual simulations are built upon real-time data to resemble the physical conditions in the factories. When
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Digitalisation will enable process industries to achieve optimised operations through highly integrated engineering and operations
the simulation predicts a high success rate, the particular production design would have a potentially higher chance of implementation with minimal downtime. Production becomes more flexible as production lines can be easily tweaked with lowered risks. Throughout these planning processes for the modifications of production lines, time-to-market remains unaffected as ongoing production processes need not be stopped.
In a challenging landscape
Competitive pressures such as a crowded global export market and shortening product life cycles are likely to drive the uptake of digital manufacturing solutions among companies looking to stay ahead. Global export competition is growing increasingly stiff with the recent formation of major trade agreements such as the ASEAN Economic Community and the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership. These bilateral and multilateral free trade
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