PLM: The Industry4.0 Enabler

I make it no secret that I want to see Manufacturing return to its much needed domestic shores. Anything of reasonable quality is wanted quickly and personalized.

Batches of One? Ummm, I'm unsure of that for a good few years, but at least some customization to fit the consumer needs or wants. And then timely? Think about that online purchase; you've done your search, found what you want and it says it'll take 72hrs to be delivered - you change your mind and go elsewhere. At least that's what the statistics are showing. 24hrs is good, 48 is OK, 72 is forget it!

There's no sense in stockpiling when people are customizing and so our manufacturing processes need to change along with our supply chains. I say, bring back manufacturing to the domestic shores, as so many have done already.

The 4th Industrial Revolution demands an expanded and upgraded version of the Product & Service Lifecycle. Industry4.0 rests on the advancement of PLM

Let's look at how that might happen.

Macro Advancement

Meeting local demands means enhancing the operational and information technology in the manufacturers:

• Merging the physical and digital worlds, through realtime simulation tools (The Digital Twin)
• Software Solution support and products for the IoT and M2M communications
• Interaction from the edge, to cloud and big data analytics
• Additive Manufacturing

So how will PLM support these exciting new technologies?

What is PLM?

Product lifecycle management is the handling of your product as it moves through the typical stages of envisioning, design, development, maintenance and decline/disposal. Effective product life cycle management brings together the many companies, departments and employees involved with the product's production to streamline their activities, with the ultimate goal of producing a product that delivers the original vision.

Good PLM has many benefits, such as getting the product to market faster, putting a higher quality product into the market, improving product safety and reducing errors and waste. Specialized computer software is available to assist with PLM through functions such as document management, design integration and process management.

Industry4.0: The 4IR

It's just matter of when, not if. Everyone who survives will change their culture first and adopt the technologies second.

Occasionally, we like to say it's an "evolution" not Revolution in order to not scare conservative business people from taking a step forward, but the fact is changing how we think of our businesses, how we care for our customers and manufacturer their products is a very big and hard to make step.

Industry4 is the combining of new / disruptive technologies that are transforming the Manufacturing and Utilities sectors.

These technologies include on the:

• Shop Floor advanced Robotics / Cobots together with Artificial Intelligence, Machine enablement and maintenance assistance care of Augmented Reality and 3d Additive Manufacturing.
• From this BigData is extracted care of the Internet of Things into the Cloud for intense Analytics and enterprise-wide intelligence that's then ultimately looped back to
• The Digital Twin; a replica of the physical product world

Under the Industry 4.0 model, product design and development take place in simulated laboratories and utilize digital fabrication models. The products themselves take tangible form only after most of the design and engineering problems have been worked out. The networks of machinery that have engendered industrial society become hyper-aware systems of highly flexible technology, responding rapidly not just to human commands but to their own perceptions and self-direction.

Advanced PLM

The Digital Twin

Digital models across the product, its supply chain and service processes are to be provided by PLM. Digital models have been around for some time and are now evolving across numerous products in order to simulate (The Digital Twin) various product types and external influences.

PLM provides various authoring systems for a variety of component modes from geometry, electronics, mechanics, build, stress, software and all interdependencies.

The i4.0 provides a closed-loop lifecycle including logistics and servitization. This enables entire simulations of new innovative business models. The challenge remains of course across the world for the adoptions of common standards.

"Intelligent" Products

Not wishing to open up a debate over the term "intelligence", what we're really talking about are products embedded with IoT, Software and networked for additional services. This together with Cloud services allows for completely new business models sold, maintained and rented. The PLM will include all of these components.

Intelligent Products can be personalized and remote-controlled, along with enabling new services.

PLM manages the product data and control processes, including requirements management, change and approvals. Furthermore the integration care of Applications and UI need developing in order to deliver services, big data solutions and analytics.

Integrated Factories / Plants

PLM provides methods and tools for the digitalized (cyber physical and communicative systems) manufacturing for the basis of factory and process planning.

To create Intelligent Factories, PLM needs to be enhanced to include development of robots/cobots and 3d manufacturing along with quality management and logistics covering Applications, Services and Communications.

Smart Service

As manufacturers move to new business models including intelligence after-sales services, so PLM must adapt and include integrated services and embeds product data for technical documentation, replacement part management or maintenance planning.

The cost of the potential service more than pays for itself care of preventative maintenance, optimized replacement part logistics, warranty processing, upgrades, and error fixing

PLM is the enabler for Industry4.0

Ready to increase your Industry 4.0 knowledge?

or enhance your Product Management?

or simply upgrade your PLM

Love to help and look forward to collaborating with you in the 4th Industrial Revolution

Andrew

[email protected]

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