Industry 4.0 Enabled Machine Tools: The Effects of Industry 4.0 on Machine Tools

by Marshall Machine We are Marshall We make CNC Machines

Industry 4.0 is the future of industries where everything is coated with the most advanced technologies. The latest industrial world is connected to the internet, as well as the cloud, keeping everything connected. Today, the industry does not work in parts but has become a grand conglomerate. An entire system works in the industry providing precise and quick results improving the overall productivity of various industries. Right from the industry 4.0 enabled machine tools to the technologically forward workforce; every single part of the industries contributes to this big leap that the industrial world is taking.

The devices that are connected through the internet generate data that is used to enhanced productivity by the way of making more informed and sensible decisions. Today, the industries don’t require much manual work, only a skilled workforce to handle these technologically advanced machines.

Industry 4.0 has not just affected the functioning and the end result. It has affected each and everything that is a part of the giant conglomerate including the machine tools. Here is how industry 4.0 has affected the machine tools:

Preventive maintenance

The machine tools in industry 4.0 have sensors fitted on them that accumulate important data. This data includes important information pertaining to machinery, its operations, etc. The data also shows the number of hours the machine has operated and the real condition of the operating components and machine tools.

This valuable insight prepares the industries to plan preventive maintenance. The data shows when would be the right time to change, repair or upgrade a component. This predictive maintenance helps the entire system to work more efficiently and also prevents extra expenses and downtime.

Saves energy

The sensors fitted on industry 4.0 enabled machine tools also collect relevant data on energy use. During the time when the machine does not require much power, the machines automatically bring down their power use.

The smart meters optimise the energy flow and make it more efficient. This not just saves energy but also saves money.

Better utilization

Manufacturing operations before the industry 4.0 era were flawed. Machine tools were not used to their optimum efficiency and had extended idle time. This led to poor productivity.

Today, with the data collected by industry 4.0 enabled tools, you would know when to change the tools, when to stop the program, when to pause the production making tools more efficient and optimizing their utilization.

Bringing down improper use of machines

In any industry, improper use of machines is not a novel thing. Various machines are used improperly leading to lesser productivity and early damage.

The majority of times, the operators use the machine completely in contrast to the actual way it should be used. They use the machine on a greater amount of force or temperature that it cannot withstand causing a breakdown.

If the machine is industry 4.0 enabled, it will send an alert if not used as per the set norms. This helps in preventing misuse of the machine due to human error or any sort of malfunction. This saves money, eliminates the chances of industrial accidents, and avoids downtime saving money.

Improved quality

Quality assurance is the essence of the manufacturing industry or any other industry for that matter. No factory would want to spend money, energy and resources only to ooze out faulty products. The use of smart machine tools has helped in improving the quality of the final products.

This has made possible by the data collected by the industry 4.0 enabled machine tools that figure out the quality issues and notify the operators before it is too late. The operators then track the product, arrest the production, rectify the error and then continue the production process.

Also, automation has left no space for human errors impacting the quality of the end product, thereby, improving the overall quality standard.

The role of the workforce in industry 4.0 compatible factories

Needless to say, the fourth industrial revolution has changed the role of the workforce in every industry. Today, the human workforce doesn’t bear the pressure of manual work. Today, the workforce does not indulge in the process of physically operating the machine tools as the tools are operated via computer. Every single machine or machine tools like metal turning lathe, grinders, routers, drilling machines, are operated through the automated systems leaving the workforce to have some free time.

Well, this certainly does not mean that the workforce spends the entire time idling in the factory. With the technological upgrade of the machine tools, the workforce has also become technologically forward. The workers are honing their skills and gaining new skillset to cope in the modern industrial environment.

The industrial revolution has also improved the safety of the worker by the means of cutting down the risk of human error and direct operation on machines.

The fourth industrial revolution has touched every single part of the vast industrial world for good. Today, every industry is riding high on success, all thanks to industry 4.0.