Smart manufacturing processes – suit dynamic business demand

By OEM Update Editorial June 9, 2022 6:20 pm IST

Industry 5.0 places emphasis on flow and accuracy of data, giving human touch to machine automation – customization of product and service offerings with cobots.

The core objective of customer delight is now being achieved by connected systems and processes enabled by technology, mentioned Amit Tiwari, Sr. Marketing Manager, WAGO India, while interacting with OEM Update.

 

Innovative trends impacting the automation industry

 Industrial automation has come a long way from basic hydraulic and pneumatic systems to now prevailing intelligent robots. With each innovation in automation, the paradigm of processes and systems in manufacturing has witnessed a turnaround. Recent past, especially last two decades, have seen unprecedented influx of new-age technologies that have redefined the industry. For instance, due to dynamic nature of demand, manufacturers have their natural inclination towards demand linked scalable production that has given rise to flexible automation enabling synchronization of processes with resources to achieve optimum production efficiency. Manufacturing is advancing towards connecting all aspects of business right from POS to supply chain, production, quality check and back to POS for a seamless operating environment. Data being the new gold, is now collected, transferred, analyzed and reported by employing smart devices such as robotics, sensors, wearables, virtual reality, cloud and smart computing. Unparalleled scope of innovation in intelligent operations is giving rise to newer trends every day. Industry 5.0 being the new entrant in trends has already intrigued early adopters. Focused towards giving human touch to machine automation – customization of product and service offerings with cobots, Industry 5.0 will place higher emphasis on flow and accuracy of data.

 

WAGO products and solutions

 WAGO is the inventor and market leader in screwless wiring connection technology. Since 1951, this product line has been the torch-bearer for us. Meanwhile, we have continued to expand our product offerings to support market requirements. We have developed Interface Electronics and Automation Control technology solutions that are well accepted in the industry today. These new products from the WAGO stable are equipped with intelligent capabilities and comply to the highest quality standards. For example, the WAGO Pro2 Power Supply offers an industry best efficiency of 96 percent. It also offers diagnostic features, and communication capability with controls systems and the cloud via various fieldbus protocols to support IIoT infrastructure. With a vision of becoming the backbone of a smart connected world, ever evolving WAGO automation control technology offers future-ready solutions for modern machines, systems, and buildings. These include software components, operating and monitoring products, control technology solutions, I/O systems, and sensor/actuator boxes.

Manufacturing with Industry 4.0/ 5.0 to optimize production 

At the heart of any technological advancement lies the principle of enhanced user experience. The core objective of customer delight is now being achieved by connected systems and processes enabled by technology that ensure customization capabilities, availability and reduced cost with better quality. New concepts in manufacturing automation such as Industry 4.0 are shaping the digital future of organizations to gain competitive edge. Seamless flow of data from IoT sensors, devices, PLCs and other objects connected to the cloud is making manufacturing processes, production lines, factories and supply chains more and more integrated delivering higher productivity and operational efficiencies

 

Role that WAGO plays in machine data acquisition technology

 In an operating environment, smart sensor actuator integration allows building or expanding an automation architecture that collects production-relevant data. WAGO supports the acquisition of valuable information from signals and data to help optimally utilize, monitor and further develop systems. In addition, WAGO offers the world’s most comprehensive I/O system with more than 500 modules. WAGO system has most approvals, including those for extreme conditions, harsh environments or remote locations. Comprehensive solution basket from WAGO keeps customer systems flexible, scalable and future-read.

 

Smart factories evolving with AR and autonomous robotics implementation 

Success of any organizational transformation depends on strength of interaction amongst three critical factors – People, Process and Technology. In modern environment, advance  technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and Industrial Internet of Things are driving the wave of smart manufacturing making operational and functional processes flexible enough to suit dynamic business demand. While the industry is thriving with influx of new technologies, shortage of skills to adapt and execute these technologies is a practical challenge. According to a recent survey by global consulting firm, over 55 percent of manufacturing industry leaders are facing challenge of lack of skilled talent to execute their smart manufacturing plans and support digitization. Concepts such as Artificial Reality and Autonomous Robotics fill this gap of skills and availability. Operating with sensory and processing powers automated mobile robots provide much more efficient and integrated production method in comparison to human intervention. It’s early success and extensive usage in inventory management specifically fetch-and-carry application, has paved new roads towards wider acceptance.