The first industrial revolution (second half of the 18th century) marked a turning point and led to the biggest transformation of humanity. It transitioned from one rural economy to a mechanized and urban one. The second one, (between 1870 and the First World War), also marked a paradigm shift. It was then that new sources of energy were used, such as gas, petroleum, or electricity. This period stands out by the use of new transportation methods and new ways to communicate. The Third Industrial Revolution (21st Century), materialized from the addition of renewable energy and the use of new information and communications technology. The Industry 4.0 is the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is being produced nowadays, and it is here to stay. It will mean a significant change in all aspects of daily life in businesses and factories. There is no turning back.
Information and communication technologies have developed in such a way that is impossible to comprehend our lives without them. The industrial sector has not stayed back and the hearsay of a Fourth Industrial Revolution. A revolution that interconnects production plants to make them more efficient. The automation of production processes, the exchange of information, and the cooperative coordination of units have brought a more intelligent industry (what today can be seen in written literature such as Smart Factory, Digital Factory, or Visual Factory)
The Industry 4.0 brings advantages for business people and workers
Some argue that Industry 4.0 only brings robotization into factories and that provides the perfect excuse to dismissed manual labor. However, it is the majority which emphasizes the need for human supervision in these processes. The future goes through the creation of robots that work hand in hand with laborers. It’s what’s called sensible robotics.
The integration of new technologies into business entails the creation of new business models and creating new markets, more flexible, and personalized. That means significant and essential economic gains. That is why the production processes become more adaptable in case changing situations or random events emerge.
To anticipate productive changes brings improved performance and more efficiency in the operational processes of our factory. This translates in environmental and economical improvements. We speak about economizing energy and raw materials. All these improvements affect very positively in achieving the expected results.
The production plants’ modernization allows for better resource allocation and an increase in productivity. If you want to survive in the industrial world, then you have to look towards this direction.
Know where I am to know where I want to go
It is therefore important to be clear at what point in the evolution, which goes from Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0, our plant operations stand. Then, we’ll close the gap in achieving actions that would allow us to reach an industry 3.0 or 4.0. When Mesure Systems helps our clients to implement industry 4.0, we work in the following six areas:
- Production flexibility
- Horizontal integration
- Energy Efficiency
- Collaborative Robotics
- Vertical integration
- Data Digitization and Analytical Exploitation
The European Union advocates that it is necessary to ensure the industry survival by modernizing economies to avoid mistakes in the past. Since the development of the Industry 4.0, it is intended to achieve an inclusive growth and sustainable development. This will enhance the European economies’ growth.
It is intended to to compete with guarantees in the global market through a new approach to production processes. The use of nanotechnology, biotechnology, microelectronics, industrial cooperation between sectors or the use of advance production systems are a few of the ways to achieve a through digitalization of the industrial sector. To that end, it is necessary to invest in technological and scientific research and to have good access to funding sources.
