Today’s manufacturing industry revolves around automation integrations, and we’ve broken down the top 10 industrial automation trends to look for in 2020.
The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. Today’s industrial revolution is accelerating what we do every day, and that’s largely due to industrial automatic control that comes with the industry’s most innovative technological trends. Many functions are being digitized and refined to help make our day-to-day easier.
These functions include:
- Accounting
- Supply chain management
- Human resources
- Procurement
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Business intelligence
- Distribution management
Don’t expect this technological growth to slow down anytime soon. The trajectory shows that fully automated innovations will continue to push the pace of manufacturing operations everywhere. Such innovations include new system architectures, software, and a variety of cutting-edge devices.
In today’s post, we take a closer look at what those technological innovations are and discuss the impact they’ll have on the way we function each day.
Manufacturing Trends 2020 Has in Store
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Cut automation costs and improve your ability to scale with a higher performance processor. The Industrial Internet of Things is an interconnected web of devices and processes that helps create a modern “smart factory.” This intuitive set of tools makes project management a breeze. Some of its essential functions include analytics software, cloud computing capabilities, and ultra-precise sensory equipment.
Industry 4.0 Open Architecture
Automation in manufacturing industries is often tied to industry 4.0 technology. This high-quality form of automation integrates cyber-physical systems into your manufacturing operations. Industry 4.0 coordinates data exchanges between manufacturing lines, enterprise systems, and robots. Users gain a closeup view of different labor forces, which simplifies the process of vendor management. This gives vendors an edge to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.
Edge Devices
An edge device is a byproduct of the IIoT. This high-tech solution improves the performance of data at each entry point. Essentially, an edge device is a suite of monitors and sensors that serves as a gateway for real-time data adjustments. To put it simply, this intelligent technology bundle is responsible for communicating vital information between servers, enterprise systems, and other mobile devices tied into your network.
Industrial Robots
A booming trend in the manufacturing industry is collaborative robot intelligence. Today, more and more manufacturing operations are adopting robot technology to streamline labor-intensive projects. With lower costs and a more diverse line of applications, these robots follow in the footsteps of the personal computer by delivering size, power, and convenience to a broader community of small manufacturers.
Dedicated Communication Channels
Today’s current industrial automation circumvents the way we relay information throughout different stages of the operation. Communication is more fluid and efficient across multiple sectors of the operation. Automation technology categorizes and transmits data in three different tiers:
- The Cell/Area Zone: Processing data, information that’s controlled by the first level of management, and details handled by the area’s supervising units
- Manufacturing Zone: Data pertaining to the site manufacturing unit
- Enterprise Zone: Data that is converted into usable forms and transferred across servers, workstations, and other databases not linked to the operation site
Multi-Touch Control Devices
The industrial industry is dominated by the power of mobility, and powerful open platforms are starting to make waves with multiple manufacturing companies. This new interactive hardware is quick to install and extremely user friendly. Its wireless design is adaptable to any workplace environment. This helps operations save big on costs, time, labor, and maintenance.
Portable Applications and Mobile Apps
Nonportable applications are a dying paradigm. The importance of mobility cannot be understated, and it is a vital component of industrial automation technology. Mobile apps give engineering professionals a fast and user-friendly way to access plant information with just the press of a button. This gives project managers the ability to manage data and perform important tasks whether they are in the office or out in the field.
Open Process Automation Forums
Established by The Open Group, the Open Process Automation Forum focuses on developing a standards-based, open, secure, and interoperable process control architecture. Today, industry professionals increasingly rely on this open forum as a fast and reliable way to secure architecture information from end-users and suppliers in industries that include:
- Food and beverage
- Mining and metals
- Oil and gas
- Petrochemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
Industrial Cybersecurity Management
Many manufacturing operations have become easy targets for cyberattacks. This calls for extra layers of cybersecurity. Advances in cybersecurity help protect sensitive data from getting into the wrong hands. Because these functions are automated in your network, it eliminates vulnerabilities from triggering operation-related risks when data is transmitted through different stages of the project.
Virtualization
Increased functionality allows software-centric operations to operate on fewer platforms. This gives project managers the ability to consolidate data on one device. This all-encompassing solution makes it easy for operators to function more efficiently.
Take Advantage of the Next Frontier of Industrial Automation
When it comes to machinery and automation, ROI Industries is today’s gold standard. We are experts who identify customer requirements and address them with the appropriate solutions. With the ROI Industries team in your corner, expect premium quality equipment to match the pace of your industry.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team of problem solvers.