Smart Manufacturing through IoT for Operational Excellence

Businesses are always chalking down strategies to increase the efficiency of their products or services. However, there are plenty of facts that may not always generate solid revenue because the manufacturing process often costs a fortune. Improving the productivity of the service or product requires an effective project management plan. To increase production in a lesser amount of time and at a lower cost, business leaders are using IoT technologies. In this blog, we’ll discuss how smart manufacturing IoT platforms is generating excellent results by using real-time data. The best part is increasing the efficiency of manufacturing using IoT technologies can be done while remote working as well.

What are IoT applications?

The Internet of Things (IoT) applications are used in a wide spectrum of industries ranging from retail to healthcare departments. IoT refers to the network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity that enables them to collect and transmit data. The data collected in the IoT devices provide quite significant information to brands that they can use to improve their services. The data received is usually in a structured format that when employees execute can yield an algorithm that can reach out to a larger demography and the utility of the service improves to a great extent.

There are various types of IoT applications that gather data and the IoT security also does not leak private information of users. The major advantage of this data is saving time and therefore, writing code to generate an instrumental machine-learning algorithm proficiently improves employee productivity. Smart locks, smart thermostats, smart sensors, etc., are common revolutionary IoT applications that enhance the manufacturing process and increase production. In fact, smart cities and smart home technologies are quite impactful events in the environmental health and security aspects respectively.

IoT applications across various domains

• Smart thermostats for temperature control are wifi controlled and hence, one can easily set the comfortable temperature at one click.


• Home security and surveillance like smart locks are enhancing biometric locks so that breaking the house can be avoided.


• Traffic management and optimization include smart cameras and sensors that are installed above signal poles or anywhere else to gather real-time data on traffic congestion and vehicle movement.


• Public transportation monitoring has become quite feasible with the help of IoT-enabled GPS and sensors that can track the location of any active vehicle.


• Waste management and recycling ensure smart recycling stations provide information on proper disposal and can reward users for recycling. Besides, IoT can also analyze waste patterns reduce landfill waste, and increase recycling rates.


• Environmental monitoring (e.g., air quality, water quality) has literally helped to slash down the pollution level in air, and water, and collect data from climate.


• Smart wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers) serve multiple purposes. A smartwatch enables picking up calls and can also measure your heart rate, track no.of steps you have walked for your fitness goal, and so on.


• Learning Management Systems (LMS) in education is also using IoT applications to track student engagement, campus security, getting along with parents, etc.

Implementing IoT technologies in manufacturing

Adopting IoT doesn’t happen instantly, it demands meticulous planning and implementation. Here are some steps to take into account-

• Recognize the Requirement– The initial step is to comprehend where IoT can provide the most value in your operations. This could be in areas like maintenance, automation, energy conservation, or data interpretation.


• Select Appropriate IoT Solutions– There are numerous IoT devices and solutions out there, each having its own advantages and drawbacks. It’s vital to select those that correspond with your requirements.


• Begin Small and Expand– First, apply IoT solutions in a limited part of your operations, then enlarge based on outcomes and insights.


• Allocate Resources for Training– The effectiveness of IoT is largely reliant on the employees who operate it. Allocate resources for training to ensure they grasp and can proficiently utilize the technology.


• Assess and Modify– After the deployment, it’s crucial to gauge the effect of IoT solutions and adjust as needed. By employing key performance indicators (KPIs), companies can monitor if the execution is meeting its goals and make the required changes to optimize efficiency.

Brands employ IoT for efficient manufacturing

Numerous brands have leveraged IoT (Internet of Things) solutions to increase the efficiency of their manufacturing operations. Here are a few examples:

General Electric (GE)

As an excellent example of Industrial IoT, GE implements IoT in its factories to monitor the health and performance of machinery in real-time. They use smart sensors and predictive analytics to preemptively identify maintenance needs, reduce downtime, optimize production, and increase efficiency.

Bosch

Bosch uses IoT applications to enhance its supply chain and manufacturing processes. Bosch’s RFID tags and sensors track the movement of products and materials throughout their factories, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing overall efficiency.

Schneider Electric

IoT technologies are used by Schneider Electric to manufacture operations to optimize energy consumption and reduce waste. They use data from sensors to identify energy-saving opportunities and automate processes to make their factories more sustainable and efficient.

Procter & Gamble (P&G)

Packaging plays a great role in the FMCG industry. One of the giants in this industry, P&G uses IoT to improve the efficiency and quality of its packaging operations. Sensors and RFID technology are employed to track the movement of products through the production line, reducing errors and minimizing packaging waste.

Airbus

Airbus uses IoT to optimize aircraft manufacturing. They have implemented IoT sensors to monitor the production of components, ensuring quality and accuracy while reducing defects and rework.

Conclusion

The utilization of IoT in manufacturing presents a remarkable opportunity for amplifying efficiency and productivity. From real-time monitoring to automation, the advantages are evident. Nevertheless, to fully realize these benefits, enterprises must exhibit a readiness to embrace transformation, allocate resources towards fitting technologies, and provide comprehensive training to their workforce. By undertaking these initiatives, the future of manufacturing appears promising, streamlined, and deeply interconnected. The potential of IoT across industries may indeed serve as your key to maintaining competitiveness in the forthcoming manufacturing landscape.