All articles on "Smart Factory"

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

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

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

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

IIoT × Edge Computing: How to overcome cloud weaknesses

With the spread of 5G, DX is accelerating and networks have extended to every corner of factories and other worksites. As a result, it is becoming a challenge to handle all data processing only in the cloud, and "edge computing" is attracting attention.

• IIoT
• Edge computing
• Smart Factory

IIoT × Zero Trust: A new approach to security measures?

As the Internet of Things connects all devices and Digital Transformation accelerates, the risk of cyberattacks, information leaks, and other issues is increasing. In particular, it is feared that serious damage may occur in the operational technology systems that operate and control factory and other equipment.

• IIoT
• Security
• Smart Factory

IIoT × Post-COVID-19: Exploring COVID-19 Induced Changes at Production Sites

It has also been pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic may present opportunities. That is to say, it may encourage a shift to production systems that are less dependent on the labor force, and the demand for smart factories that utilize IIoT networks and artificial intelligence (AI) will increase more than ever.

• IIoT
• Smart Factory

What Decarbonization Innovations Will Affect the Manufacturing Industry?

With the aim of realizing a decarbonized society, companies in all industries are expected to take environmental measures. Against this backdrop, measures to reduce CO2 emissions in production processes have become a pressing issue across the entire manufacturing industry.

• Decarbonization
• Carbon neutrality
• Smart Factory

IIoT × 5G: Progress in 5G Surrounding the Manufacturing Industry

5G provides notable advantages for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks that require advanced information processing using numerous and diverse devices such as sensors and robots, and thus rapid evolution is expected with the spread of 5G.

• IIoT
• 5G
• Smart Factory

Bringing humans and machines even closer with sensors and AI

Using digital technology to see how experts work and build systems

Wearable sensors and image recognition technology now make it possible to see exactly how experts work. In this section, we introduce some examples of how expert skills can be passed on to the next generation, and how work can be automated.

• Sensors
• AI
• IoT
• Smart Factory