The following article on how the electro-mechanical industry is fundamentally being transformed by Industry 4.0, is authored by Wesley Vorster, product manager at ACTOM. This is part one of a two-part article.
Data-driven decision-making from real-time data analytics enables organisations to analyse market trends. Supplied by ACTOM
The electro-mechanical industry is fundamentally being transformed by Industry 4.0, which is ushering in an era of more efficient and innovative practices. Increasingly, companies are integrating automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimise manufacturing processes, enhance productivity and deliver better solutions to clients.
This technological evolution is not optional, but essential for companies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Industry 4.0 is a paradigm shift that is driving industry players into a digital future where they can thrive in an increasingly digitised environment.
By introducing advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, data analytics and AI, Industry 4.0 is reshaping the electro-mechanical industry, as these technologies create an intelligent digital connection to historically analogue equipment. This assists companies to increase efficiency, sustainability and safety of their equipment.
Automation and AI also play a critical role in creating high and continuously improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics that in turn optimise manufacturing processes and enhance productivity. Constantly evaluating these metrics through the utilisation of AI algorithms can improve many aspects of the manufacturing process. For example, it can reduce downtime, optimise performance, and enhance quality control and efficient changeovers, all through data-driven decision-making.
Increasing profitability
Data-driven decision-making from real-time data analytics enables organisations to analyse market trends, customer behaviour and operational performance to identify opportunities to improve, optimise resource allocation and ultimately increase profitability.
Ultimately, digital transformation enables companies to gather more and more data about their equipment and processes, while AI is key to learning how to improve, progress and evolve into the next industrial revolution. This is a key requirement for traditional electro-mechanical companies to remain relevant in a market that demands increasingly innovative solutions.
Source: ACTOM
