Issue no 5 - october 2018
industry 4.0
Retrofitting to Industry 4.0
How manufacturers can use their existing equipment to realise Industry 4.0
The old proverb, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, means that you cannot create value using an inferior process or product. In industry, manufacturers are rushing to replace older equipment to achieve their Industry 4.0 goals. However, adapting their current system could be an easier way to start the journey. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete industrial parts supplier EU Automation, explains how manufacturers can retrofit their way to Industry 4.0.
Industry 4.0 is moving from concept to reality and manufacturers are investing in automation to make sure they are a part of the revolution. However, aging infrastructure and outdated processes can make it difficult for plant managers to achieve this. Interconnectivity is one of the key principles of Industry 4.0, as it gives machines and sensors the ability to connect to the Internet of Things (IoT) and communicate with each other. Manufacturers are investing in smarter equipment with increased connectivity to collect real-time data on processes and machine condition that engineers can use to optimise the system and improve productivity.
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