OTC Insights Team
Established in 1963, OTC Industrial Technologies is one of the largest industrial distributors & service providers in the United States. We're committed to seeing industrial operations advance through expert technical solutions & unmatched support using our years of experience.
What does it mean for a production line to be self-aware? Is it possible to run a fully autonomous factory? The fact that these questions are on the minds of manufacturers big and small is a clear signal that a new age of industry is not just emerging, but already here and going strong. Is your business on board?
Automation and info gathering in manufacturing are nothing new. What is new is both the breadth and depth of what is possible and practical to accomplish. Technological advances in recent years have overcome many of the traditional limitations of information technology, robotics, and automation. As a result, there have been many significant changes in the realm of manufacturing that have led to the emergence of a smarter, more connected era of industry, or “Industry 4.0.”
Manufacturers are using these advanced tools and technologies to accomplish business goals — everything from improving product quality, to increasing productivity, to reducing labor hours. How can your operation use smart manufacturing to start hitting and exceeding these goals? The key is to adopt the Industry 4.0 mindset and embrace a more intelligent factory.
What are smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0?
The third industrial revolution represented the time when computerization was introduced to the industry. As Industry 4.0 progresses, those computers are now connected and communicating with one another to collect data, get smarter, and ultimately make decisions without human intervention.
Smart machines get smarter as they get access to more and better data. In other words, the collection, utilization, and communication of good data are at the heart of Industry 4.0. That is how our factories will become more efficient and productive and less wasteful.
When you create synergy between the digital and physical processes of your entire value chain, you create efficiency across that chain. You can achieve that synergy with autonomous decision-making processes and real-time asset monitoring. That is smart manufacturing.
In the age of intelligent industry, how can your business take advantage?
Getting started with smart manufacturing
Manufacturing automation is a vital step toward a smarter factory. Your operation has most likely been automating business and production processes for years. Also, most production machinery deployed today has built-in sensors that are already producing valuable data. That makes automation an easy entry point for companies into smart manufacturing.
Your next step is to deploy intelligent tools and technology that enable those automated systems to become more self-aware and connected. They can be capable of sharing information about their health, location, usage level, and more. They can also be capable of reacting to that information faster than a worker could.
For a practical example, take a look at how adding an automatic thermal shutdown circuit on the machine can prevent overheating in our smart manufacturing white paper.
The key to a smart manufacturing strategy is how the data is collected and connected. Connecting to the IoT and analytics are game changers in the realm of Industry 4.0. With intelligent tools, you can monitor performance in real-time, complete predictive maintenance, anticipate and prevent downtime, and adjust for market demand.
When applied correctly, automation and smart manufacturing can give you the capability, even power, to meet those goals.
Revolutionize your factory with help from the manufacturing automation experts at OTC
Your operation already has the potential to decrease costs, increase profit, and enhance customer experience. As the experts in intelligent manufacturing solutions, OTC can help you get there.
Contact us to learn more or set up an appointment to talk to our experts about how an automation strategy can help improve your productivity and boost your bottom line. OTC Industrial Technologies is here to help with premier product lines, innovative solutions, and unparalleled technical expertise. Reach out to our team today!