Schaeffler is digitally transforming its entire business, which involves the integration of its mechatronics components, systems and machines into the rapidly expanding world of the ‘Internet of Things’. Through its Machine Tool 4.0 project, Schaeffler wants to demonstrate that Industry 4.0 is not an abstract, remote vision, but can make a contribution to added-value today.
There is a huge push towards Industry 4.0 with manufacturers all looking to embrace emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning and advanced data analytics as part of their digital transformation. Kevin Bull, Product Strategy Director, Columbus UK looks at the role asset maintenance is going to play in achieving this.
Muntons Malt, one of the UK's largest producers of malted barley has chosen the Smart Condition Monitoring (SCM) system from Mitsubishi Electric to protect fans and motors vital to its large-scale and sensitive production process. Used to make beer, spirits and a range of popular foodstuffs, malted barley is produced in large batches where conditions are critical to a consistent product.
Research by IndustryWeek shows that equipment failure is the cause of 42 percent of unplanned downtime. This raises questions about why more manufacturers aren’t using technology to improve machine and factory performance. Here, Stefan Reuther, Chief Sales Officer at COPA-DATA, explains how to leverage predictive analytics to reduce factory downtime and increase business competitiveness.
ŠKODA automobiles unite tradition with technology, and the brand is enjoying increasing popularity that extends far beyond the borders of its Czech origin. Together with B&R, the company achieved a substantial boost in productivity at its headquarters near Prague in the city of Mladá Boleslav.
While Condition Monitoring (CM) systems are continuing to prove their value in industrial applications, many companies are still unsure how CM should fit into their Industry 4.0 strategy and the automated ‘lights-out’ factory, says Ian Pledger, Service Engineer at Schaeffler UK.