The manufacturing industry is currently witnessing a technological upheaval. With smart technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and machine learning plaguing the market, their integration has helped increase efficiency, enhancing real-time monitoring and improving process optimisation and communication. While this revolution is making waves in the sector, with its ripples echoing across industries, it is highly reliant on large-bandwidth, high-speed, and low-latency wireless networks.
Earlier, networks such as 4G LTE and Wi-Fi supported this transition, but the introduction of 5G, has become an inflection point. Many enterprises have already started incorporating 5G networks into their work operations, and are reaping the benefits of the advanced wireless connectivity. This technology can maximise the output of IoT, ML, and AI, along with other modern-day technologies. In relevance to this, a report published by the Manufacturing Institute stated that nearly 91% of manufacturers believe that 5G networks will play a key role in flourishing their overall business in the near future.
5G Network in Enhancing Connectivity
The fourth industrial revolution is zeroing in on the digitalisation of manufacturing units, introducing advanced automation, and the wide adoption of smart devices. The emergence of 5G in manufacturing allows supply chains to transition from a labyrinth of locally managed independent chains to a well-connected network of devices that exchange data in real-time. The 5G network has the ability to transfer data 20 times faster than 4G. This allows the factory floor to not just become more automated but also efficient and data-driven, completing tasks smoothly.
Furthermore, the high-speed connectivity of 5G networks supports a high density of IoT devices, approximately 1M devices per square kilometre. Such large support is essential in modern-day factory operations, allowing for the accumulation and processing of data from diverse sources to streamline operations.
Internet of Things for Smart Factories
The Internet of Things is playing a pivotal role in transforming traditional factories into smart factories, by utilising a network of interconnected devices, software, and sensors. It enables predictive maintenance in smart factories that can help prevent machine failures, decrease downtime, and extend the life span of equipment. On top of that, by deploying IoT sensors in factories, the manufacturer can acquire real-time insights of energy consumption, and optimise it accordingly. They can also gain a comprehensive overview of the work environment, identify potential bottlenecks, and alert the workers.
Automation and Robotics
One of the most important requirements for remote-controlled robots is low latency. LTE networks do not offer latency levels low enough to control robots at a distance. 5G will drive the next generation of mobile robots, as its defining characteristics include low latency. It will help automate substantially risky tasks by providing the ability to control equipment from a distance in real-time. Not only this, but the 5G network also has the potential to allow for advanced automation with zero-touch approach. From forklifts to drones, it will help connect autonomous robots, which will profoundly impact manufacturing services.
Edge Computing in Manufacturing
The coalition of 5G with edge computing possesses the ability to completely revamp the way we use technology in the digital era. It is interesting to note that, 5G allows faster speed and higher bandwidth required to support edge- technologies, while edge computing decreases the need for large-scale cloud computing resources. This alliance gives birth to a powerful ecosystem of cloud, telecommunications, and edge technologies.
Edge computing has diverse applications in manufacturing, as listed below:
- Quality Assurance: Edge computing enables real-time quality checks by examining production data on the spot and enabling immediate detection of defects.
- Inventory Management: It allows manufacturers to monitor and manage inventory units more efficiently by allowing them to access inventory data in real time.
- Scalability: Edge computing technologies are highly scalable and allow for the expansion of operations, without any major infrastructure modifications. As manufacturing demands rise, the additional edge devices can easily be integrated, ensuring uninterrupted productivity.
Final Words
The integration of 5G in manufacturing facilities has unlocked a door to endless possibilities, from logistics streamlining to warehousing stocking to the management of production lines. Due to its high bandwidth and considerably low latency, the 5G network allows robots to take on complex tasks and promotes collaborative working parallel to humans. On top of that, this collaboration results in high efficiency and the scalability of the manufacturing unit. As the applications of 5G evolve with time, they continue to paint a promising future for the automation of manufacturing processes.
The article has been written by Kiran Rudrappa, CEO and Co-Founder of Posspole
