The Yuan requests your support! Our content will now be available free of charge for all registered subscribers, consistent with our mission to make AI a human commons accessible to all. We are therefore requesting donations from our readers so we may continue bringing you insightful reportage of this awesome technology that is sweeping the world. Donate now
Smart manufacturing’s great convergence: Industry 4.0
By Nick Anderson, Doug Mehl, Azaz Faruki  |  Sep 23, 2022
Smart manufacturing’s great convergence: Industry 4.0
Image courtesy of and under license from Shutterstock.com
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming the way manufacturers address some of their biggest challenges, including labor shortages, supply chain management, and workplace safety. What ramifications will this have going forward?

CHICAGO - The pandemic continues to impact every industry, presenting a variety of challenges and opportunities. The global economy grew, and the trade of goods rebounded. However, labor shortages persisted, spurring heightened interest in automation and driving lead times for robots to stretch to as long as six or even 12 months. 

In this environment, most manufacturers’ concerns have revolved around figuring out how to improve the supply of raw materials and meet demand while also controlling both costs and quality. For many manufacturers, the solutions to these issues have emerged in the application of the technologies known collectively as Industry 4.0 (I4.0):

- 3D printing

- Advanced robotics

- Wearables, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR)

- The Internet of Things (IoT)

- Artificial intelligence (AI)


I4.0 manufacturing is characterized by increasing automation and the implementation of these technologies to improve decision-making and productivity. This report will outline the key developments in this technological revolution and discuss how manufacturers are using them to address their biggest challenges.


Developments in the key components of I4.0

To begin with, one should look at the essential elements of I4.0 that aim to highlight some the key developments across platforms and applications that have occurred since the previous report, and their implications for manufacturers.


3DP

After starting out as a technology used primarily for

The content herein is subject to copyright by The Yuan. All rights reserved. The content of the services is owned or licensed to The Yuan. Such content from The Yuan may be shared and reprinted but must clearly identify The Yuan as its original source. Content from a third-party copyright holder identified in the copyright notice contained in such third party’s content appearing in The Yuan must likewise be clearly labeled as such.
Continue reading
Sign up now to read this story for free.
- or -
Continue with Linkedin Continue with Google
Comments
Share your thoughts.
The Yuan wants to hear your voice. We welcome your on-topic commentary, critique, and expertise. All comments are moderated for civility.