Manufacturing is unquestionably going digital, and smart technologies are the most recent in a long line of technological developments. Whether it’s referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industry 4.0, or Digital Transformation, discrete and can making manufacturers have started to reimagine their business models using accessible technologies.

Industry 4.0 integrates automation and data sharing into manufacturing technology. This enables manufacturers to increase efficiency and productivity while reducing maintenance and repair costs. Cloud Computing, IIoT, IT/OT security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are some of the key technologies fundamentally reshaping the industry.

According to a report by IBM and The Manufacturer, 67 percent of manufacturers have accelerated digital transformation initiatives as a result of COVID-19, with 92 percent citing “improving operating performance” as their top priority. The following are the top five innovations that are assisting manufacturers in achieving their objectives:

Innovating for the Future: Discrete and Can Making Manufacturers

The discrete and metal packaging industries may not be the first things that come to mind when people think of Industry 4.0. Digital technology disrupters, on the other hand, have the potential to create major opportunities for these industries. According to a McKinsey & Company report, one discrete manufacturer saw a 30 percent improvement in productivity after introducing “shop floor to top floor” digital enablement. In high-variant machining, another discrete manufacturer in the report saw an 80 percent increase in OEE. Learn how Acumence helps measure OEE and line performance.

Example: IoT and Smart Devices in the Can Making Industry

Smart devices and machines (IoT) are a hot topic among system vendors and integrators in the can making industry. Even as the number of connected machines grows, plant-wide strategies are becoming more critical. Data collection can become increasingly difficult as machine manufacturers create their own IoT solutions.

“Instead of using different data silos, use an IoT solution that provides full plant-wide visibility. Separate IoT solutions installed on machines around the plant are much less useful than selecting a manufacturing business intelligence system with a contextual view of the entire plant,” suggests Jason Toschlog, VP of Products at Acumence.

Now Is the Time to Prepare for Industry 4.0

Manufacturers must innovate for the future in order to thrive. Your potential success is dependent on how maintainable your operations and systems are, as well as how effectively you understand all aspects of the industry. Also, by utilizing smart technologies to improve asset performance, increase operational efficiency, and design entirely new processes to meet customer demands, you can stay resilient and innovative. Discover how Acumence’s product can help you minimize machine downtime, increase production speed, and decrease waste and spoilage.

Eager to know how other manufacturers are incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies into their operations? Check out this recent webinar Digital Transformation – The Future of Manufacturing, hosted by Acumence’s parent company – Flexware Innovation, which includes manufacturing IT experts from Cook Medical, Glen Raven, Caterpillar, and Microsoft.

Learn how digital transformation is affecting all manufacturing sectors in the infographic below.

Sources:

IBM’s 2021 Digital Transformation Assessment

Manufacturing Global, IBM: digital transformation in manufacturing 2021

The Emergence of Digital Manufacturing Infographic