Inter-correlation between Smart Manufacturing and 4th Industrial Revolutions

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, often known as Industry 4.0, is becoming increasingly essential in the manufacturing industry for a variety of reasons. It depicts the next technological era, characterised by high-quality, productive, and efficient production. Those who do not accept Industry 4.0 will not be able to compete in the market and will fall behind. However, before diving into the what, why, and how 4^th revolution of Industry, it is helpful to grasp the history of manufacturing revolutions since the last two decades. Our world has gone through four separate manufacturing revolutions, and we are still going through them today.

In the current context, we are transitioning to Industry 4.0, which is dominated by smart manufacturing. Manav Rachna University in north India is the first to offer a new Undergraduate Programme in Smart Manufacturing and Automation for next-generation companies.

It makes no difference if you call it advanced manufacturing; smart manufacturing, manufacturing 4.0, or something else entirely. Simply put, manufacturers are rapidly incorporating technology such as automation and data analytics into all aspects of their operations. Manufacturing’s leadership and workforce must evolve to keep up as emerging technologies revolutionise the industry.

According to NIST, it is a fully integrated, completely collaborative production system that responds in real time to changing requirements and conditions in the plant, supplier network, and customer requirements.

This is a process that combines big data processing; artificial intelligence; machine learning and advanced robotics arm technology, as well as their interconnection, to increase production performance, reduce energy and labour requirements. This blog discusses the current implementation status of smart manufacturing and automation systems, the related technologies as well as contribution to smart manufacturing technology.

Chronology of the Industrial Revolution

In addition, to implement this quickly evolving technology in all of its dimensions a review of the most recent breakthroughs in this area, as well as their implications, was conducted and presented, together with implementation problems, possibilities, and future prospects for smart manufacturing systems.

Major characteristics of smart manufacturing technology includes,

• The development of intelligent machines that manage, monitor, and maintain systems
• More comprehensive communication and improved self-monitoring
• Problems can be solved without the need of developers.

• The First Industrial Revolution

Prior to the 1800s, manufacturing was done by humans with the assistance of animal power. Manufacturing processes improved with the First Industrial Revolution, which occurred in the early 1800s. Some basic machine tools were created that were powered by a water/steam engine.

• The Second Industrial Revolution

The beginning of the twentieth century saw the second industrial revolution. Electricity was introduced into the industries throughout this revolution, allowing manufacturers to boost their efficiency. Electric equipment was far more portable than those powered by steam engines. During this era, mass production via assembly lines was also adopted.

• The Third Industrial Revolution

The world began to slowly enter the second industrial revolution in the late 1950s. Electronic and computer technologies were employed in the plants. During this age of change, industry was shifting from analogue to digital technology and the automation world.

• The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Industry 4.0 has risen in recent decades as the fourth industrial revolution. The manufacturing industry will go through a digital transformation that will involve real-time interaction/interfacing between various new technologies. The table given below explained the pillars of this revolution.

Pillars of the fourth industrial revolution

Big Data Analytics – It is a type of analytics that will be able to evaluate large amounts of data and extract meaningful information. Big data analytics is constantly developing, and it will play a larger role in the smart manufacturing and automation sector.

3D technology–These technologies are being welcomed by businesses nowadays to improve the buying experience as well as to simplify the working environment.

Smart factory– Its used by factories to make them more productive, secure, and cost-effective.

Internet of Things (IoT) platforms– All gadgets that can gather data, transfer it over the internet, and connect with other devices are considered part of the Internet of Things. IoT gadgets include smart refrigerators, lighting, and toasters, to name a few.

Smart Sensors – It can collect data, process it, and send out a digital signal when the moment is appropriate.

Data Visualization– When data is expressed in visual formats such as infographics, charts, maps, and more, this is known as data visualisation. Larger amounts of data will be able to be seen in the future, and it will be conveyed in more ways.

Cloud Computing -It is data storage that is not based on local servers, PCs, or laptops that is hosted in a remote location.

This is the era of self-driving cars and other innovations in automation that combine robots and intelligent robotics with quantum computing and biotechnology to improve corporate efficiency.

Smart Manufacturing-associated technologies

• Computing
• Virtualization
• Communication
• Data management etc.
• Manufacturing Service

Need for Smart Manufacturing

Manufacturers are moving toward a new level of linked and highly intelligent manufacturing system with smart manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0, which includes the latest breakthroughs in advanced technologies.

To keep up with the advancement of these “smart factories,” highly competent and agile engineers are required to manage the growing complexity and quicker mind-to-market product cycles. This program’s purpose is to provide future manufacturing engineers with basic IT expertise in addition to the strong problem-solving abilities taught in today’s curricula. Manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, systems engineering, information technology, networks, and basic shop floor communications will be taught to students. Students will receive hands-on experience in a variety of technological sectors linked to smart manufacturing through an experiential learning method. The motive of this advance system to help businesses minimise their reliance on human labour, raise profit margins, substantially increase output, automate as many aspects of their enterprises as possible, readily adjust to changing client demands.

Smart Manufacturing in the Global Market: Opportunities and Future Direction

The purpose is to provide future manufacturing engineers with basic IT expertise in addition to the strong problem-solving abilities taught in today’s curriculum. Manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, systems engineering, information technology, networks, and basic shop floor communications will be taught to students. Students will receive hands-on experience in a variety of technological sectors linked to smart manufacturing through an experiential learning method.

It offers a big market opportunity and is widely used in production systems around the world, according to several study findings and publications from various organisations. Small and medium-sized industries are more likely to use intelligent manufacturing. According to some researchers, the hospitality and food services industries are more likely to automate than the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries. These industries are the focus of study for integrating cutting-edge technology to increase productivity and performance because they offer the greatest potential for automation.

The architecture of an industrial automation system is defined by the system’s complexity, the interaction-of-machines, the tasks of each subsystem, as well as their operating mechanisms and interdependencies. Automation technology has made it possible to share data and information across connected systems, and process handling and machine interoperability have greatly improved, allowing for greater flexibility in resource and process management, as well as proper exception handling. By adding remote sensing and control capabilities, Internet technology has been considered as boosting the fully automation business. By utilizing automated systems, the usage of IoT in various sectors has helped to reduce the number of people working in dangerous environments while also increasing productivity.

Computerized and fully automated advanced technologies, robotics, and other related technologies must be correctly developed in the industrial domain in order to successfully deploy smart manufacturing technology.

Wrapping up!

Manufacturing is not only the economy’s backbone, but it’s also the muscle that keeps the country safe. With this in mind, a few manufacturing sectors have been selected as strategically important for long-term building of national capacities. With changing consumer demands, shorter product life cycles and planning times, and a highly competitive environment, companies around the world are in desperate need of talented engineers who can operate their businesses efficiently. To complement the government’s initiatives, Manav Rachna has taken the first step in the country by offering an undergraduate programme in Smart Manufacturing & Automation. The various job opportunities offered by them includes:

• Smart Manufacturing Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Automobile Engineer
• Robotics engineer
• Design Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Control system design/engineer
• Electronics design engineer
• Artificial Engineer
• Mechatronics Engineer
• CNC Programmer Engineer
• Software/Hardware engineer