FEATURE Wireless Technologies
Testbeds for adopting Industry 4.0
Ways to apply 5G to enhance innovation in manufacturing. By Riccardo Weber, Project Manager – Manufacturing, West Midlands 5G (WM5G)
T
he manufacturing industry generates more than £32bn gross value added per year, and accounts for 22% of jobs
in the Midlands alone. As an industry that has been signifi cantly impacted as a result of COVID-19, new Industry 4.0 technologies – including 5G-enabled solutions – will power the post-pandemic recovery by transforming productivity in manufacturing environments. This is exactly what WM5G has been exploring with AE Aerospace, a Midlands- based high-precision engineering company that produces parts for companies such as Rolls Royce, Raytheon UK and Moog. WM5G, Worcestershire 5G (W5G), BT and Ericsson will deploy a 5G private network in the factory to trial 5G use cases for transformed operations. This includes supporting connected devices to maximise active machine time, provide more accurate assurance that parts have been machined to exact specifi cation and track predictive maintenance.
Key setups The fi rst setup looks at Machine Time Servitisation which through a greater understanding of production fl ows and more effi cient use of machinery will eventually enable AE Aerospace to switch from its traditional pay for part model to off er bookable machine time to third parties.
24 September 2021 | Automation
The second trial will accelerate locating specialist measuring gauges across the factory and give prompts to operators when calibration is required. The many surfaces, holes and screw threads of production units must be measured manually with gauges. By tagging them, their location can be identified and tracked in real time over 5G, significantly reducing the time searching for the devices. Finally, 5G technology will be used to improve Product Quality Assurance by digitally recording the state of the individual component when leaving the factory. By utilising 5G connectivity and AI, an ultra-high-definition camera will automatically capture images and compare against specification to ensure product quality assurance.
Accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 Working with WM5G, technology partner BT and Worcestershire 5G (W5G), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, is trialling its own purpose-built private standalone 5G network. The facility will allow companies of all sizes to explore the benefits of 5G in manufacturing and inspire them to scale up the development of applications on the shop floor. They are inviting enterprises of all sizes to explore the benefits
of applications such as multi-edge computing and robotics, which will provide a benchmark for the future of 5G in manufacturing. In particular, the MTC’s SME Digital REACH programme offers bespoke guidance and support to increase productivity through the introduction and adoption of digital manufacturing technology.
Whilst the MTC’s 5G private network is beneficial for Midlands- based enterprises, the learnings from these trials will progress the adoption of Industry 4.0 across the sector. 5G technology is driving the industry forward and leading the recovery as we emerge from the pandemic. Competitiveness will stand manufacturers apart, with efficiency gains and profitability achieved through new technology. According to a study by Ericsson ‘The 5G for Business’, the global total of 5G-enabled B2B opportunities for service providers is set to increase by 76% by 2030. The key learnings and best practice will be shared with the region’s manufacturing industry to help boost productivity in the sector.
CONTACT:
WM5G
www.wm5g.org.uk/manufacturing
automationmagazine.co.uk
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