Manufacturing
Cellular technology is rapidly reshaping manufacturing. By 2030 there will be 4.7 billion wireless modules across smart manufacturing floors, with a value of over US$ 1 trillion. And it is this seamless connectivity that is ushering in a new era in manufacturing.
Digitalize your manufacturing process
Connected manufacturing: A guide to Industry 4.0 transformation with private cellular technology
Use cases
Cellular-equipped factory layouts can be reconfigured instantly to adapt to changing requirements and products. That means manufacturers can meet customer demand of more customized products. This is vital, as a 2018 study from Protolabs revealed that 86% of consumers say customization appeals to them.
Autonomous Mobile Robots offer many benefits, such as freeing up forklift operators to do other factory tasks, and improving worker safety since robots can easily maneuver through hazardous environments. Plus, they handle materials much more accurately, so can eliminate up to 30% of typical scrap.
Use cases
By creating a digital replica of physical assets, digital twins let manufacturers streamline the production environment without physically changing anything. Manufacturers can produce useable insights for both process and factory, letting them plan for future states with “what-if” scenarios, while giving them the full control to implement change.
Collaborative robots, or cobots, work side by side with operators to conduct both manufacturing tasks and quality inspections. Using cobots means factories can inspect every product part - not just samples - and in less time, so can help raise overall product quality.
Another benefit of augmented reality within a manufacturing environment is the impact on quality inspections. It provides human inspectors with visualizations that increase accuracy and reduce time spent checking, and uses real-time hazard and maintenance sensing to ensure product quality remains high.
Use case
Asset condition monitoring allows predictive maintenance, which uses data collected by sensors to reveal exactly when maintenance is needed. This intelligent tracking of machines reduces factory downtime and enables a more sustainable use of machinery by expanding their lifespan.
