Month: April 2023

When discussed in the context of sustainability, the average person might not think of industrial automation as ‘sustainable’. After all, when we think of industrial automation our brains turn to the worst thoughts. We think of dirty machines sucking up enormous amounts of energy while being in factories outputting copious amounts of waste. However, recent decades have shown companies moving towards sustainability. Not just because of environmental issues, but also as a means to cushion the cost of manufacturing.

As the world continues prioritizing sustainable practices, industrial automation has emerged as a potential solution for reducing environmental impact. However, there are concerns about whether industrial automation in general is sustainable.

What is Sustainability?

What do we mean by “sustainability”? According to the United Nations, sustainability is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In short, sustainable practices should not harm the environment in ways that can obstruct future generations from thriving.

Common Sustainability Concerns

One major concern is the energy consumption of automated systems. Automated machines require significant amounts of energy to operate, especially during the initial stages of setup and installation. This high energy consumption leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change. Additionally, companies design automated systems to operate at full capacity, regardless of the actual product demand. This can result in overproduction, leading to a waste of materials, energy, and resources.

Another concern is automation is the displacement of human workers. Automation usually results in job losses for human workers. This is especially true when performing repetitive and monotonous tasks. This not only affects the livelihoods of these workers but also has social implications. Extreme unemployment and income inequality can lead to social unrest and economic instability.

The Road to Sustainability

The direction of sustainability in industrial automation needs plenty of improvement. However, current trends show a shift by companies toward a sustainable goal. This includes things like reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and safety conditions for employees.

When talking about efficiency, companies using sensors and software in manufacturing processes can reduce material waste. They achieve this by accurately measuring and cutting materials to exact specifications. This reduces the amount of scrap material wasted and lowers the overall environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Additionally, automated systems can optimize production schedules and reduce downtime, resulting in less energy waste and lower carbon emissions.

When people talk about employees regarding sustainability in industrial automation. They often think of job security as the thing to fear when it comes to automation. However, when discussing sustainability, employee safety often gets left out of the conversation. Keeping healthy and uninjured employees also counts as sustainability. Automation allows machines to complete the most dangerous tasks. This reduces the risk of injury or death to workers. Companies can use automated safety systems to detect potential hazards and shut down machinery if necessary.

Regarding environmental sustainability, having more efficient manufacturing does help stave off environmental impacts. It also has more efficient logistics that can result in better sustainability. Automated vehicles can optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and lower emissions by avoiding traffic congestion and reducing idle time. This not only benefits the environment but also saves time and money for businesses. Additionally, automated warehouses can reduce the need for large, energy-intensive storage facilities. This lowers the overall environmental impact of the supply chain.

The Outlook

The general consensus seems to be that industrial automation has the potential to be a sustainable solution. Especially if implemented responsibly and with consideration for the broader social and environmental implications. While there certainly exist concerns that need addressing. The overall evidence suggests that automation may be a key tool when pursuing long-term sustainability.

Updated on April 25, 2023 by Ken Cheng

Industry 4.0 has become the standard labeling of our society reaching the fourth industrial revolution. Previous revolutions have been marked by game-changing inventions that have significantly impacted our way of life. The first was the steam engine. The second is mass production via electrical power. The third is the use of electronics and network infrastructure otherwise known as the ‘digital age’. Now we approach the fourth industrial revolution, one highlighted by the boom of computer technology.

The Predecessors

First Industrial Revolution

The first industrial revolution landed between the years 1760 and 1840. Its mainly characterized by the innovation of steam/water powered. Other significant milestones also include the growth of textile and iron production. As well as innovations in agriculture and mining. The first industrial revolution also saw a boom in middle-class growth.

Second Industrial Revolution

The second Industrial Revolution has at times been called the “technological revolution” which took place between 1871 and 1914. While by today’s standards, the technological leap may not seem that significant, for that time society saw these advancements as nothing less than groundbreaking. The biggest innovations to come from that era included the railroad and telegraph lines. These innovations widely improved people’s ability to not only have mainstream access across the continent but also to share ideas a lot faster.

Probably the most revolutionary advancement around this time was the streamlining of electricity. With this innovation, electricity could be in not only in homes but also to better run machines in factories. Pushing them to develop the modern production line that we know today.

Third Industrial Revolution

The third industrial revolution is marked towards the end of the 20th century. Advancements in things like Boolean logic and computer language code were huge game changers in setting up the way computers and machines communicate with one another. Speaking of communication, one innovation that really took off during this time and has had a massive effect on multip generations is the internet.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Building off of the third industrial revolution, the fourth industrial revolution takes digitalization to a whole new level. Many of the technological advancements during this time have roots in communication and being able to access data faster and more widely. While the third revolution brought forth the internet, the fourth revolution focused on making it faster with things like broadband. This compounded with the need to make it more mobile brought forth 3G, 4G, and 5G technology as well as devices that can use them.

Industrial Automation and Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 isn’t just a phenomenon impacting the tech sector. Innovations regarding industrial automation can be found here as well. One of the main effects of Industry 4.0 on industrial automation is the emergence of smart factories. Smart factories utilize advanced technologies such as robotics, and machine learning, to make more efficient manufacturing processes. One Deloitte report found that smart factories can improve productivity by up to 20%, reduce maintenance costs by up to 30%, and reduce energy consumption by up to 20%. This is made possible by the integration of real-time data analytics, which allows for predictive maintenance, intelligent quality control, and optimized production planning.

Another impact of Industry 4.0 on industrial automation is the increased use of collaborative robots, also known as cobots. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are typically isolated from human workers, cobots can work alongside humans in a shared workspace. They are designed to be safe, easy to program, and flexible, which makes them ideal for small-batch and custom manufacturing. Cobots can also be easily reconfigured to perform different tasks, which enables manufacturers to quickly adapt to changing market demands.

Conclusion

From its beginnings in simple textile manufacturing to its evolution to digital information, industrialization continues to move the gears of globalization while leaving a huge impact on culture and economics. Industry 4.0 continues to move the needle of automizing and producing goods that are not only more efficient to make, but cost-effetive too. As we progress with more advancements in digitalization we very well could be seeing Industry 5.0 centered around AI, but that has yet to be seen.

Updated on April 15, 2023 by Ken Cheng