The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more prevalent in modern life and certainly across a range of industries. We see it in our homes, with security systems, lights, televisions and a range of other electronics controlled by a central hub. But in the industrial sector, the technology goes a lot further than providing nifty gadgets.
In big business, and especially in industrial buildings, IoT is revolutionising the way we do things. From the deliver of energy through to controlling individual machinery, IoT has a lot of benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the ways industrial IoT platforms are shaping the future of modern manufacturing.
Preventative maintenance
Downtime in factories is expensive. When it’s due to machinery failure or maintenance, it’s not always predictable how long production might be compromised. Most smart factory operators would schedule regular maintenance for machinery. These assets are huge in terms of expense, so it makes sense to regularly give them a tune-up to increase their life span. But what if technology could make maintenance more effective?
IoT technology platforms actually monitor the performance of assets constantly. If one part of the system experiences a degradation in performance, the appropriate managers are notified. It’s a way of tipping them off that some preventative maintenance is due. Not only does it prevent further (and far more costly) repairs, but it also eliminates the need for unnecessary maintenance. The smart factory only needs assets checked when there’s a genuine need.
Efficiency monitoring
Much like monitoring for performance degradation, the same technology feeds data back to the control system about efficiency. This helps managers see which assets in the factory are using the most energy. From there, they can investigate further. Is the poor efficiency of one asset due to maintenance requirements? Or is it simply an older machine that needs replacing.
With so much data at their fingertips, managers can make smarter decisions about where to invest money in the future to increase operational efficiency.
Maximising energy use
With this efficiency reporting also comes the ability to see where energy is being used, and where it’s being wasted. Are certain systems being powered, at a cost to the company, for hours of the day when they’re not even in use? Smart industrial platforms for energy can save businesses plenty of money by reducing energy waste.
Factory layout mapping
All of the data gained from industrial IoT platforms goes towards improving productivity. Sometimes, this may mean a complete overhaul of a factory layout. Think of it like a workshop using multiple air tools. Experts design these workshops for maximum efficiency, ensuring all the pipes running from a compressor are arranged in such a way that performance is maximised. The same applies to a modern factory.
Are certain functions being slowed down because others take longer than necessary? Can a different layout or process make a difference? These are the questions building managers can ask and answer with all the data gained from industrial IoT management systems.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.