The essential key to the future of manufacturing plants is technology. Most producers have adopted new technologies over the past 25 years in order to increase their output revenue. The manufacturing industry now faces new challenges with the Internet of Things (IoT), which will help it to ultimately grow. 

The Benefits of IoT in Manufacturing Plants

IoT allows users to gain more details regarding automation, analysis, and system integration. This is especially important for those who wish to expand their regional reach and improve accuracy. IoT uses existing and new sensing, network, and robotics technologies. 

Based on BI predictions made in 2020, $ 70 billion will be invested in the future by manufacturing companies who lead IoT adoption. According to BI predictions, the manufacturing sector sees the greatest ROI from IoT than from any other industries. But what are the best ways for manufacturers to make use of IoT? 

There are a handful of ways to make IoT useful for manufacturers, but the most important and effective one is maintenance automation. 

Maintenance Automation

A variety of benefits can be derived from maintenance automation technology, such as the installation of sensors on equipment. This gives way for increased situational awareness about plant operations and equipment condition in real time.  

Staff can view maintenance information clearly through the dashboard, which also includes real-time measurement and performance. 

This will give staff enough time to react and prevent further disturbances. If manufacturers adopt additional concepts such as predictive maintenance to improve their analytic functions, it will impact on performance, output, efficiency, and productivity.  

This technology is extremely useful in the manufacturing industry. What are the main advantages of IoT for maintaining manufacturing plants? IoT usually has the greatest impact on: 

Downtime

IoT can aid in reducing downtime. Moreover, IoT helps identify potential problems and prevent them from happening. This is especially important for those who can impact product quality and high costs of replacing engines. 

Production Efficiency

IoT also has other benefits, such as increased production efficiency. IoT is a great way to increase production and save money over time. 

Failure Rates

IoT also helps lower failure rates. If the product fails, there is no comparable production efficiency, and it must be withdrawn. IoT gives the maintenance team an opportunity to focus on potential issues before they cause engine damage. 

Intrusiveness

Another benefit of IoT? Intrusiveness. Preventive maintenance may involve the removal or reinstallation of the machine. This can cause system weakness and increase interference. Additionally, IoT allows for predictive maintenance. It can detect system problems and the condition of components in real time, without affecting machine or system life cycle.  

About the Author

Cesar Agostino

Hardware and Software Design Leader in 4i Platform.

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