Making Manufacturing Efficient and Qualitative

Companies are rapidly reaching business excellence due to automation solutions like robotic process automation and big data analysis. EM elaborates on automation tech that is driving the industry forward in this continuation from EM May’s ‘How are robots making manufacturing smarter?’

- Phanindra Karody

Connectivity, along with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, has helped make our supply chain smarter. Automatic replenishment, big data analytics, TOMS (Transport Order Management Systems), GPS-enabled vehicles (outbound logistics) across all plants, cloud services etc. have helped make SCM processes more effective.

With a worldwide network of Industry 4.0 centres of excellence to create platforms for the exchange of knowledge and prepare the broad application of new manufacturing technologies, we are on the path to establish a smart factory by employing big data applications, Cobots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), AI, and AR/VR applications.

Lean Manufacturing with AMRs

Just-in-Time (JIT) processes or lean manufacturing emphasises producing the exact amount of goods precisely when the customer requires them, aiming to maximise cost efficiency and reduce waste within the warehouse. This requires raw materials to arrive at the exact stage of production in which they are required. It is tough to simulate a JIT manufacturing environment with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) being used in a way that each robot completes a simple, monotonous task because there is a need for dynamic routes and agility.