Keep track of the entire value chain

During the production of new products, it is not just the machines that communicate with one another but also the individual components. In this way, specialists can intervene deliberately if there are problems and repair malfunctions quickly. Fast and networked manufacturing opens new doors in the way we manufacture - flexible adjustments to create individual products at low cost are possible as a result.

Thanks to networked production and the incorporation of customers and suppliers, resources can be saved. As well as time, the more efficient value chain saves energy and costs. This makes room for new areas of business: For example, customers can directly specify which product features they would like by communicating their wishes straight to the shop floor.

By integrating standardized interfaces (such as MQTT), data from various machines and sensors is collected, analyzed and forwarded. This data is presented graphically and can therefore be used in communication between employees. Or it is analyzed automatically and triggers processes - such as to order a replacement part or send a notification to the supervisor.

The OEE figures (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) provide an overview of the whole facility's effectiveness. Thus, an Andon board can be used to depict the current production status. A machine logbook enables companies to provide logs for long-term analyses, among other things.

Once the interaction between automation, data integration and the depiction and analysis of key figures is provided for, there is great potential for tangible quality improvement. And with that, it does not matter if a company is looking to increase product quality or customer incorporation - the interconnection of industry 4.0 gives you everything you need.