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Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

Data utilization in factories in various industries is progressing. It is rapidly becoming smarter (more intelligent). The era of smart factories has arrived. Knowing the state of production sites in great detail using IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), and other advanced data processing technologies has enabled accurate situation judgments and optimization of production conditions. The progress of smart factories is the driving force behind digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing industry. In this series, we explain the latest trends in making factories smarter and the impact this will have on manufacturing sites and businesses.

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) Have Evolved into Smart Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) and Are Improving the Efficiency of Operations in Factories

We give an explanation here about new transportation methods that have evolved with the progress of AI and IoT that are being utilized in smart factories. In addition to the work time of each process, the transportation of works in progress between processes and the replenishment of parts and materials have a major impact on improving productivity overall in lines that perform variable-mix variable-lot production. The use of smart AMRs has expanded in place of AGVs and other conventional transportation means.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • Robot
  • AI
  • IoT
  • Automated Driving

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

From Field Networks to TSN: The Evolution of Telecommunications Infrastructure in Factories

We give an explanation here about the industrial networks used to exchange a variety of data in smart factories while clarifying their differences with consumer network technology. We also touch on their evolution to meet new demands such as coordinating with corporate systems in addition to simply linking up systems and control devices.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

A Closer Look at Digital Twins, Virtual Factory Models that Expand the Potential of Their Real Counterpart

This article explores digital twins – models that reproduce the functionality, performance, conditions, and behavior of real-world equipment, production lines, and factories. Digital twins offer a glimpse of realistic future scenarios and can simulate an array of operating conditions so that optimal solutions can be found, enabling efficient, highly value-added factory operation.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • AI
  • IoT

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

Business Model of the Manufacturing Industry: Changed by Mass Customization

We give an explanation here about mass customization – a production structure in which products with specifications needed by individual consumers are individually made one by one efficiently. Products are made individually by automating and optimizing the series of processes from grasping demand to product design, production preparations, production, and shipping using information technology (IT) and operation technology (OT). The utilization of 3D printers and other technologies is also boosting this evolution.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

What Is the Ideal Cell Production System Line that Responds Flexibly and Promptly to Variable-mix Variable-lot Production?

We give an explanation here about the optimization of variable-mix variable-lot production – a production structure that responds in a timely manner to the consumer market where diversification is progressing and trends are changing drastically. The application of IoT and smart robots is spreading to enhance the productivity of cell production system lines. Furthermore, expectations are also building for the utilization of AI and other technologies that predict the market environment and factory operating conditions.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • IoT
  • AI
  • Robot

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

A Major Revolution in Maintenance: AI/IoT-Guided Predictive Maintenance that Prevents Downtime

As explored in this article, maintenance operations are a gateway to building smart factories. Predictive maintenance is taking off. By detecting symptoms of imminent equipment failure on production lines from slight vibration or other changes, manufacturers can take action before it's too late. This thinking can now be extended to proactive yield and quality management.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • IoT
  • AI
  • Maintenance

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

CPS: A Key Technology for Realizing Autonomous Smart Factories

A cyber-physical system (CPS), which is the core information system of future factories aiming to be smart factories, is built by concentrating together IoT, AI, big data analysis, industrial networks, and other advanced information technologies. It is an information system occupying the core in the implementation of digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing industry that draws a clear distinction with mere process automation by conventional factory automation (FA).

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • IoT
  • AI
  • Solution

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

From the Automation of Processes to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

We give an explanation here about digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing industry – business reform that utilizes digital technology in the manufacturing industry. The approach to business reform is gradually becoming more sophisticated with visualization, optimization, automation, and autonomy in DX in the manufacturing industry. The scope of the application of that is also expanding to systems, factories, companies, and supply chains.

  • Smart Factory
  • DX
  • IoT
  • Solution