INDUSTRY 4.0/IIoT
IIoT oFFERS A PLATFoRM FoR MoDERNISATIoN
data from across the factory floor, using it to connect, monitor and control almost any assets within the business, So, a smart factory might implement
controls to automatically adjust the production line when a particular output is reached or install sensors to monitor the oil levels or temperature of certain components. It might even capture information on production efficiency over time, in order to analyse trends in factory performance and ultimately innovate and optimise. In an industry as competitive as
manufacturing, the benefits that IIoT can bring can play a huge role in developing a business:
Noel Sheppard, general manager at Distec, talks about the role and advantages of IIoT in modern manufacturing
to navigate restrictions on imports and exports as a result of the Brexit agreement, before facing supply chain breakdowns and workforce shortages during the pandemic. In response to this growing pressure and a
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focus on domestic production, the UK government has pledged additional funding to ensure small and medium-sized manufacturers can build back better by investing in new digital solutions. In addition to the £300m joint government and industry funding as part of the Made Smarter Adoption programme, they have now committed another £53m funding to drive development in the latest manufacturing technologies. So how can manufacturers make the most
of digital transformation? One way that businesses are able to gain a competitive edge is through the adoption of IIoT, which is creating a new wave of smart factories that could provide a £6.3bn boost to UK manufacturing according to a report by Vodafone. IIoT is an extension of the Internet of Things (IoT) namely applications relating to
20 NoVEMBER 2021 | PRoCESS & CoNTRoL
anufacturers have faced unprecedented challenges over the last eighteen months. First, they had
industrial environments such as manufacturing and engineering. One of the main focuses of IIoT is machine-to-machine (M2M) communication as well as big data
manufacturing, the benefits that IIoT can bring can play a huge role in developing a business
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In an industry as competitive as
Increase efficiency One of the biggest benefits to manufacturers is the increased efficiency that IIoT can deliver, giving companies the ability to automate processes and improve the speed at which machinery is able to complete their tasks: whether that is in manufacturing, mining, oil and gas or energy. By increasing efficiency, companies can improve their output without exponentially increasing costs, creating larger revenues and profit margins.
Improve reliability and safety IIoT processes reduce the number of manual tasks needed in the business process. By minimising manual intervention, you can reduce the number of errors that are made therefore improving the reliability of the business overall. It also helps to improve safety as many dangerous tasks that previously had to be undertaken by humans are now automated keeping employees out of harms way.
and automation. By applying these tools to their operations, manufacturers can make efficiency improvements and increase the reliability of their production lines. IIoT encompasses all industrial applications, including robotics, IoT devices, and software- defined production processes. Smart factories are extraordinarily diverse
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and flexible, but the feature they all share is the use of automation and networking technologies. These technologies capture, transmit, analyse, and ultimately harness
Easy transition into smart manufacturing IIoT gives manufacturers the ability to introduce smart factory processes incrementally. IIoT products such as the Red Lion FlexEdge Intelligent Edge Automation Platform enables businesses to utilise data that comes in from the factory floor. Companies can then utilise that data to learn about their processes remotely, identify weaknesses and alter their practices to improve the bottom line. IIoT provides a platform for improvement
as the manufacturing industry accelerates its journey through digital transformation. At Distec, we offer a range of smart manufacturing solutions designed to improve resilience and enhance efficiency.
Distec
www.distec.co.uk
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