The Fourth Industrial Revolution has firmly planted itself in manufacturing facilities nationwide. Emerging tools, such as artificial intelligence, IOT, and smart technology have streamlined the production and processing of manufacturing plants everywhere.
But with so much equipment it can be hard to keep up, and some companies may resist adopting these new tools altogether. In its 8th Annual State of Manufacturing Report, Rockwell Automation® reported a 65% year-over-year increase in participants stating that their organization “lacks the technology to outpace the competition,” and nearly one-third of the manufacturers in the study are hampered by ‘technology paralysis’ – the inability to decide between solutions. “An organization which finds itself held back from investing in technology due to this type of decision paralysis is likely to see an impact on its ability to compete,” the report reads.
Rockwell® provided several tips to help manufacturers jump-start the process of updating tools and assets on their plant floor, including creating a communications plan that will sustain the vision for future desired outcomes and adopting a continuous improvement mindset. Even with these tools, sometimes additional outside help is needed.
John Simon, an Automation Specialist at CBT, explains that for a company wishing to incorporate modern hardware, an overall plant floor audit is needed to accurately determine the best next steps. “One of our automation professionals will gladly assist a customer by going on a walkthrough of their plant to determine which automation applications will best fit their needs and how they can start small if needed,” says Simon.
One reason companies hesitate to adopt technology is because of the significant and lengthy investment. In the case of automation, Simon clarifies, manufacturers can start small and easily build their way up to larger, more complex systems.
“There are different levels of automation. You can utilize small microcontrollers for single-point cutting tools. You can then build up to higher-grade and robust systems like the ControlLogix Control Systems,” Simon states.
While technology paralysis may stall some businesses from making upgrades, Simon warns that, in the end, remaining stagnant will be detrimental.
“If an older system is in place, it will get harder and harder to find replacement parts. And with older products going into mature states the cost of spare parts will increase, ultimately costing more than a migration or an upgrade,” Simon notes.
Ready to begin or continue your journey into Industry 4.0? Contact an Automation Specialist today.
