Emphasis should be on reskilling the workforce for shopfloor operation

June 9, 2021 2:07 pm

We’re still in the price mode, not the value mode. These advantages will not be realised unless they adopt a long-term perspective.

Speaking with OEM Update about the challenges and business transformation, Ravi Kumar V Tadepalli, Managing Director, KRISAM Automation Pvt. Ltd., says that while we have access to newer technologies, we still need to work on upskilling the workforce in order to apply these technologies to shopfloor activities.

Industrial acceptance of Industry 4.0 and 5.0

Indian industry is still very slow in implementing Industry 4.0. We are still getting a grip of what it can actually do for you. With this level, we are not even ready to harness the benefits of Industry 5.0. This is a technology that can actually help India especially in the rural areas.

Major areas of transformation with Automation, AI, ML and 3D printing

These new technologies have improved our quality and a certain degree of predictability in manufacturing. It is also changing the skill demography. The skill set is more refined and there is a dire need of reskilling people to absorb and maintain the shopfloors. Investment vs returns are now pretty much lucrative.

Addressing the manufacturing technology gap in Indian industries

Technology gap in what aspect? We are becoming good at adopting these new technologies but we still don’t have the expertise to maintain and design these machines. We are far from it. We are just buying the new technology off the shelf and are still trailing.

In terms of creative use of these technologies too we have not been able to harness these to the extent that would be useful in the shopfloors. The top management has to take the lead in this and coax the people down the line to be creative with the new technologies.

Challenges for SME and MSME to adopt automation and robotics in manufacturing process

Awareness, cost and availability are some of the key challenges. SME and MSME are not aware of the full potential of these technologies. We are still in the price mode rather than in the value mode. Unless they get a long-term perspective, they will not realise these benefits. The other factor is there are no reliable long-term partners to hand hold these industries into the new technologies. Without this implementation ecosystem, naturally, the industries are wary, even though they are willing.

Safety and security solutions offered

Safety protocols are two-fold – data protection and machine protection. Data protection is more established with standard protocols. But when hacking happens it is important to protect the machine software and operations. These are protocols that are still evolving.

Technologies to reduce downtime and enhance efficiency

Machine monitoring is being offered by a lot of people which can help in Predictive maintenance, and this will reduce machine downtime. Precision in manufacturing can be realised when we link inspection and production in a closed loop. Technologies still have to evolve in this direction. But this is in the realm of SPM building and these players will be quick to bring it into the scene.