5G enables faster data transfer and cloud computing

December 12, 2022 2:38 pm

The growing prominence of data transfer and automation across numerous manufacturing processes to enhance productivity and meet quality standards drives the Indian machine tools market.

Smart factories with the rise of Industry 4.0
Connectivity within the manufacturing process is not new. Yet recent trends such as the rise of the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 and the convergence of the digital and physical worlds— including information technology (IT) and operations technology (OT) — have transformed the supply chain increasingly possible. Shifting from linear, sequential supply chain operations to an interconnected, open system of supply operations— known as the digital supply network, could lay the foundation for how companies compete in the future.

Mass customising of products impacts machine tool companies.
Mass customisation is a technique that makes manufacturing processes flexible enough to produce products precisely according to the customer’s wants while keeping costs low. This concept makes the most of both personalisation and mass production, which leads to a cost- efficient manufacturing system. Mass customisation aims to create, anticipate and cater to specific consumer demands in a transparent, engaging and mutually beneficial relationship for both the company and the client. Therefore, for industries or companies that aim to offer highly satisfying or even surprising products and services to clients based on innovation and creativity, such as luxury, mass customisation serves as a critical strategy in the long run.

Factors influencing machine tools industry
The sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic led to the implementation of stringent lockdown regulations across the nation resulting in the temporary closure of numerous end-use industries for machine tools. However, the growing prominence of automation across multiple manufacturing processes to enhance productivity and meet quality standards drives the Indian machine tools market. Further, with the automotive industry bouncing back after the sluggishness of the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the machine tool industry would have ‘ache din’ ahead.

Technological trends for the machine tool industry
Some technological trends for the machine tool industry would be Electric vehicles, Industry 4.0, Integration of 3D printing, Higher precision machine tools, Streamlining the supply chain, Artificial Intelligence, advancements in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software used in CNC machining, and so on. Fifth-generation, or 5G, systems will provide the next upgrade in wireless technology. This emerging technology promises faster speeds, lower latency and greater capacity. 5G would enable faster data transfer amongst machines and in cloud computing.

Temperature measurement and control analysis
Temperature measurement and analysis play a key role in metal processing and monitoring. If the temperature measurement information is not correct, then it can affect the quality of the final product, as well as endanger workplace security. If temperatures are allowed to stray too high or too low, then not only can it ruin the end product, but it can also interfere with the manufacturing process. A lack of temperature control damages machines, ultimately affecting the bottom line.

Current trends visible besides smart factories
The new phase of industrialisation or Industry 5.0 constitutes humans working alongside advanced technologies and AI-powered robots to enhance processes within the workplace. It provides a vision of an industry that aims beyond efficiency and productivity as the sole goals and reinforces the role and contribution of industry to society.

It places the worker’s well-being at the centre of the production process and uses new technologies to augment human jobs and growth while respecting the production limits. It complements the Industry 4.0 approach by specifically putting research and innovation at the service of the transition to a sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry.