8 Immediate advantages of connecting your production to the IIoT

1. 8 Immediate advantages of connecting your production to the IIoT by Burraq December 23, 2021 The industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is one of the most popular buzzwords when it comes to Industry 4.0. But what does that actually mean? IIoT means that the data available through the network connection of machines can be used to optimize manufacturing and industrial processes. The performance of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is based on networked devices, intelligent machines and analyzes in real-time. Both real-time and historical data are collected and analyzed to improve productivity and efficiency. There is an old saying that what is not measured cannot be improved. The IIoT enables end-to-end visualization of the production process and enables manufacturers to gain knowledge from large amounts of data that they would otherwise not be able to obtain. The industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) The term IoT (Internet of Things) has been around for some time and basically encompasses all devices, or rather things, that are connected to the ... (you guessed it, exactly!) ... the Internet. Smartphones, televisions, household appliances, as well as lighting and security systems, cars, and even clothing and other wearables can now be connected to the network. The goal of the Internet of Things is to connect people with the products and even services they use on a daily basis. So far, the Internet of Things has primarily optimized everyday life. It is now powerful enough to increase efficiency and productivity in the manufacturing industry. Due to the networking of machines and production systems through IIoT, manufacturers can use analytical methods. This can be used to increase productivity, identify unforeseen downtimes, resolve bottlenecks and search for and find solutions to improve efficiency at all levels. The use of such tools to improve production is rapidly increasing. Computerworld Magazine considers the IIoT to be one of the 3 biggest trends in computer science. Another study predicts a market volume of over $ 123 billion for 2021. Consulting giant Accenture predicts the IIoT will add around $ 7.1 billion to the US economy over the next decade. So the potential is immense. Put simply, there is a growing number of potential IoT applications in manufacturing.

2. The IIoT revolution offers manufacturers many immediate and significant benefits. Here are the 8 most important: 1. Set up and record KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) Retrofitting machines with effective and reliable IoT devices enables comprehensive data acquisition and visualization. Production managers can set KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that allow conclusions to be drawn about actual performance. Even comparatively simple IoT applications give production managers valuable insights into production. The whole thing can also be tailored to specific periods of time or other special needs. For example, performance data such as production efficiency, the number of rejects produced or the number of failures that have occurred can be recorded and displayed. Thanks to the optimal analysis of all aspects of the supply chain, as a manufacturer you literally have your finger on the pulse of each individual production phase. And that from the beginning to the end. IIoT technology is used by executives as a tool to increase productivity. Problem areas can now be identified across the entire supply chain. 2. Immediate response to problems Imagine having a tool that can identify and point out slowly evolving problems. This is not possible in traditional production unless supervisors and foremen are constantly on the move in production to inspect every single machine or to constantly look over the shoulders of the employees. Such micromanagement is not a good solution. Industrial IoT, on the other hand, does. Thanks to strategically placed IoT sensors, production managers are now able to identify any anomalies or problems in real-time and deal with the problem immediately. This prevents problems from persisting and worsening and minimizes downtime. When manufacturing managers have access to one of the most effective and technologically advanced tools in the manufacturing industry, it inevitably leads to rapid improvements in machine availability and productivity gains. 3. Improving the planning of workflows and processes Monitoring the entire production line enables a better understanding of the actual process time. This is helpful in identifying bottlenecks and problems that would otherwise cause production delays. It also enables more efficient shift planning, which can optimize the precision, speed and production volume of each production line.

3. An example: A manufacturing company has a team with very committed, but apparently somewhat unproductive employees. The cause of the restricted productivity, namely problems with the material supply of the employees, had so far escaped the line managers. The inadequate supply of materials meant that the workers on the third shift left their workplaces to get the materials and bring them to their workplaces. Production of the night shift was delayed by an hour or more and productivity was severely affected. Another example: If the actual production time per unit of goods is longer than the theoretically planned time, the entire order will also take longer than planned. Such delivery delays lead to frustrated customers. The right IoT sensors at the right or essential points in the supply chain increase planning accuracy and improve workflows and processes. 4. Improving the quality With IIoT-capable solutions in the area of quality assurance, companies can track their production from A to Z and automatically and continuously monitor every phase of the production process - from the quality of the raw materials to the end product. This greatly improves the traceability and the efficiency of the quality assurance systems and in the course of this also the general product quality. 5. Saving resources Continuous monitoring of production can reveal wasteful and inefficient processes. The minimization of inefficiencies and the rationalization of production can then lead to a reduction in the consumption of expensive resources such as labour, energy, water or fuel. This saving of resources brings economic advantages for the manufacturer and real added value for the environment. Some companies have already reduced their energy costs by tens of thousands of dollars by investing in IIoT sensors. Just shutting down machines instead of keeping them idle overnight or for entire weekends no longer wastes energy to the extent that it used to be. Without the right sensors to provide this valuable information, it is almost impossible to determine where resources are being wasted. 6. Improvement of inventory management The IIoT can be used to implement digital, constantly updated and available inventory management. With such inventory management, manufacturers can track the location of each item. Manufacturers can better manage their inventory and make data-driven purchasing decisions. Costly and labour- intensive manual inventories can be reduced to a minimum.

4. In addition, a modern, computer-aided inventory analysis eliminates the potential risk of missing raw materials or complete products. 7. Reduction of maintenance costs with predictive maintenance (PdM) Machine learning is used in predictive maintenance. With predictive maintenance, manufacturers can avoid machine failures. With a well-thought-out use of predictive maintenance, downtimes are effectively prevented. Production managers can plan maintenance more easily, taking into account current production times, the order situation, the inventory and the availability of employees. Powerful IoT sensors - combined with clever algorithms and artificial intelligence - can detect anomalies in engine performance in a way that the human ear or eye simply cannot. In this way, employees can anticipate possible failures and ensure that the machines run smoothly. Repairs and general maintenance work can be planned more efficiently. 8. Improving employee motivation Thanks to IIoT, production plans, target output and other goals can be communicated transparently and clearly and serve as guidelines for the entire company. With clear, realistic and data-driven goals set by employees and managers and the prospect of rewards for achieving these goals, one can greatly increase employee motivation and engagement. The industrial IoT brings significant and tangible benefits to manufacturers in everyday life. Companies around the world are increasingly realizing this. You can digitize your machines within hours thanks to the plug-and-play solution from 3d Signals and achieve a more effective and productive operation within days. Don't let the competition overtake you, network your production with the future!