Many people have heard this term, without perhaps understanding the meaning.
In essence, the modern world started with what is now called the Industrial Revolution (Industry 1). This was kick-started by steam power, and also water mills.
In the late 1800s, electric power started taking over from steam and water (Industry 2).
From the mid-1970s, automation technology started to impact manufacturing in a big way. IT also made its presence felt, impacting on the manufacturing (Industry 3).
Eric Carter (left) thanks Kenneth after the presentation.
Integrating IT and AT, is becoming what is known as Industry 4.0. This convergence, together with the pervasiveness of the Internet and Cloud technology, allow machines to communicate with each other autonomously, and enhance production efficiency. Part of the reason for this drive, is to create competitive advantage. Everyone knows how China, for instance, is undercutting competitors through low labour costs. Some way has to be found to counter this: one way is through advanced automation.
Interestingly, the German government is driving this progression, sensing that automation is the key to countering a low labour-cost economy. In one of the highest labour-cost areas of Germany, Nobilia, Europe’s leading kitchen manufacturer, is showing how this can be done. Since 1990, they have been producing upwards of 2700 kitchens per day, using machine-to-machine communication (the Industrial Internet of Things) together with advanced IT and Cloud computing, to produce kitchens with minimal human input.
This Smart Factory concept uses secure horizontal and vertical communication (OPC + UA) to integrate national and even international production.
Kenneth McPherson of Beckhoff put all of this together in a compelling fashion and there was a lengthy Q&A session afterwards.
MESA Africa Summit has been expanded and rebranded SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
We are writing to share some exciting developments regarding the evolution of the MESA Africa Summit, which has been a cornerstone event in industrial automation and manufacturing excellence.
Read more...How to claim CPD points SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO:Slaughtering AI holy cows SAIMC
SAIMC
A couple of sessions at various dealers, a wrong delivery, a failed holiday plan, a two-week unplanned vacation and 32 kg of steel on the back seat awaited us as we left South Africa on a dream holiday. But let me start at the beginning.
Read more...SAIMC: Secunda branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the most recent SAIMC Secunda technical evening, Jenine Jansen van Vuuren, sales account manager from Comtest Technologies, gave a presentation on the calibration of process instruments.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held its October technology meeting, not on the first Wednesday of the month as usual, but on the second Wednesday to accommodate the very interesting presenter, Nico Erasmus from Abacus Automation.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The October Technology Evening was hosted by Pepperl+Fuchs. Patience Moila, the enterprise mobility expert for sub-Saharan Africa, presented on ‘Lone Worker Protection for the Mobile worker 4.0’.
Read more...SAIMC: It’s not black and white SAIMC
Editor's Choice SAIMC
Grey imports are a problem worldwide, not least in the automation industry in South Africa. The Supplier Advisory Council (SAC) operates under the umbrella of SAIMC, and is tackling this problem head-on.
Read more...How to claim CPD points SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO: The real damage of fake news SAIMC
SAIMC
People depend on accurate information and their own reasoning and belief systems to draw conclusions or make decisions. However, when they are inundated with fake news, the reliability of the information they receive is compromised.
printer friendly version