Smart and connected industry

Industry 4.0 has long since ceased to be a catch-all term and is certainly no longer a hype. This fourth industrial revolution has taken advantage of technological developments to produce more efficiently, safely and sustainably. How? By being 'smart' and 'connected'. The first part is in the possibilities of artificial intelligence and data processing, for example; 'connected' is based on sensors and wireless communication, among other things. Conclusion: Industry 4.0 is only possible through cooperation between various companies and suppliers of hardware and software components.

Books can now be written about a smart and connected industry. It is therefore extraordinary to see how developments have come so far in a relatively short time that automation has taken on a new meaning. The trend is moving more and more towards manless production and autonomy in the 'factory of the future'. 

Sensors

One of the key elements in the "smart & connected" story is sensors, which are capable of producing a large amount of data based on which decisions can be made. Whether this is a decision in the production process or one that leads to action on safety or maintenance. In this regard, there are several flavors: sensors transmit their data to a central controller or other central point or process it themselves. In the first case, computers are now capable of processing large amounts of data simultaneously. That means: receiving, analyzing and drawing a conclusion. AI is playing an increasingly important role in this, making machines ever "smarter" and capable of making the right decision independently. 

Sensors with integrated intelligence can analyze the data they generate on the spot. Many times, this involves comparing it to a certain limit. If the limit - for example, temperature or pressure - is not exceeded, the sensor discards the data. If the limit is exceeded, the data is forwarded for further analysis and possible action. One of the advantages of this type of sensor is that significant amounts of energy are saved because most of the data is not transmitted. This makes this type of solution more efficient and sustainable.

Connected

To link various machine parts, components and controls together and "talk" to each other, various communication protocols have been developed over time. From these, (unfortunately) no definitive standard has yet emerged. This means that there are still manufacturers who use a unique communication protocol and thus 'force' customers to buy everything from them. A solution can sometimes be found in the use of an adapter to link elements from different manufacturers. 

In the end, the best are still the "open protocols" that allow all common systems to be interconnected. It is expected that this form of communication will eventually "win. For manufacturers, the disadvantage is that their customers do not have to buy everything from them. On the other hand, without an open protocol it is not possible to connect to another system. In addition, "collaboration" is an everyday occurrence for the current generation of technicians. They do almost nothing else but work out ideas together on digital platforms and forums to come up with great solutions.

Cyber security

As connectivity has increased, so has the importance of "data protection. Practically every company is connected to the outside world via the Internet or wirelessly and thus theoretically has a 'door' available for digital intrusion. The new Machinery Directive coming into force in 2027 therefore explicitly addresses making machines cyber-secure. Several companies have now also developed training courses for this purpose to support machine builders, as well as users, in taking the right steps. Which data should be secured in which way and how high should the security level be? Support in this leads to the most efficient cyber security; not overdone, but sufficient.