Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 11

T he first thing to understand about Industry 4.0 is it is not one technology but a combination of modern technologies combined to create a ‘SMART factory.’ The 4.0 stands for the fourth industrial revolution which at first sounds extreme but when you start to look at the possibilities, it is easy to see how these technologies can become real game-changers. Industry or Foundry 4.0 is the brainchild of the German government, and the train of thought is to create smarter, more efficient manufacturing through the use of SMART factories in the not too distant future. This will be achieved by various technologies communicating in a way that allows autonomous running of the facility and processes. INTERNET DRIVEN The high-speed internet of today is allowing a lot more data to be transferred remotely and giving us much more control in industry where we will start to see massive leaps forward in the workplace. Businesses are starting to utilize this connectivity in many ways, from automatic material ordering through to cloud-based software control. The premise behind Industry 4.0 is to take this one step further by connecting not just one machine, but also the whole factory so that it communicates as one entity. As an example, machinery in a foundry or die cast facility can already be monitored remotely via cloud-based control systems giving complete access to the data on the machine and if needed remote control of certain elements is possible. Also using technologies like RFID (radio frequency identification) (Fig. 1) we are able to automate control of various machines. Foundry 4.0 is integration, communication and usage of data! Integration is everything in the cell communicating to one location for data storage. Communication – many different kinds: • Communication with the computer to know when something is about to happen that should not. • Communication is the supplier being able to talk to the equipment and send you reports on what is happening daily or weekly. • Communication of the data in such a manner to make sure you can use the information. DAVE WHITE National Sales Manager THE SCHAEFER GROUP ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS: • Understanding Industrial 4.0 • Key components of Foundry 4.0 • How to begin the process FOUNDRY 4.0 WHAT IS IT? Fig. 1 - Radio Frequency Identification 10