Image source for this article: Verizon
Author | NickDelRegno
With the help of 5G and mobile edge computing, business owners, production facility managers and control engineers are experiencing the benefits of upgrading traditional manual processes to automated and efficient technological solutions.
A massive transformation, aided by 5G, is expected to change the way manufacturing facilities operate in the coming years, as manufacturers begin to realize how leveraging technology and adapting data-driven systems will be key to staying ahead of the competition. According to a recent study conducted by the Manufacturing Institute, 91% of manufacturing companies believe 5G connectivity will be critical to the future of their business.
Digitizing the factory requires an understanding of the challenges facing production facilities. With the help of 5G and mobile edge computing, business owners, manufacturing facility managers, and controls engineers are experiencing the benefits of upgrading from traditional manual processes to automated, efficient technological solutions.
5G and mobile edge computing enable critical applications to run on networks close to, if not at, the workplace, which reduces latency and enables near real-time operational insights, helping users optimize data collection and storage to improve productivity.
01
5G and Mobile Edge Computing in Action
Currently, the manufacturing floor has the basic technologies needed to complete day-to-day activities, but leveraging 5G and mobile edge computing to process information at the edge of the network can significantly enhance these capabilities, allowing for better control of tools, faster decision-making, and Helps detect problems earlier.
For example, a Corning fiber optic cable manufacturing plant tested how 5G and mobile edge computing could help process control, monitoring and quality assurance. Thanks to the low latency and high bandwidth enabled by 5G and edge computing, the company can manage data from multiple sensors and identify problems on the factory floor faster than before. By moving computing power to the edge of the network, users can make better use of data on the factory floor and interpret it faster so they can address challenges in near real time.
Increasing output can be a challenge, and factories cannot benefit from slow processes. 5G and mobile edge computing enable manufacturers to more efficiently capture data, process and interpret it, and identify previously unseen opportunities for growth. Manufacturers can then send commands back to related equipment, enabling a more efficient flow of materials on the factory floor.
▲5G and mobile edge computing enhance the ability of manufacturing to process information at the edge of the network
Leveraging the data analytics available on edge computing infrastructure, production manufacturers can maximize the performance of their assets, optimize operations, minimize downtime, and gain end-to-end visibility to make faster, more efficient decisions. wise decision.
02
Develop smart assembly lines
Having scalable tools allows production manufacturers to change their behavior in unexpected circumstances and improve operational efficiency. As more assembly lines incorporate technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), there is a greater need for network infrastructure that can support and enhance intelligent assembly line configurations.
Manufacturing plants with multiple production lines often require separate controllers for each stage of the assembly line. With the help of 5G and mobile edge computing, manufacturers can operate independent intelligent assembly lines in the same virtual location, and then use this centralized control mechanism to reconfigure the assembly line when products roll off the production line.
The current control infrastructure is a "closed shop floor," which means it is difficult to adjust assembly line configurations, but this will change with the integration of 5G and mobile edge computing. Enhanced networking capabilities and flexibility create more dynamic code possibilities for production manufacturers and control engineers, making the assembly process more programmable, thereby increasing productivity and revolutionizing the production process.
03
Improve positioning accuracy
In addition to streamlining processes, production manufacturing facilities can enable more precise production and fewer interruptions. Manufacturers today are often subject to interference from Wi-Fi signals, especially in environments with a lot of metal equipment in the environment. Poor positioning accuracy and connectivity can prevent facility managers and control engineers from accurately tracking locations. This is necessary to keep operations running smoothly and ensure smart machinery such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and autonomous forklifts are where they are needed.
The location accuracy made possible by 5G and mobile edge computing enables manufacturers to detect possible hazards with forklifts or robots and workers. 5G is currently being tested in these metal-filled indoor environments, so facility managers and controls engineers will be able to pinpoint and operate AI and ML tools in near real-time from remote locations. 5G and mobile edge computing can interact with AMR and other ML tools in near real time and perform closed-loop control on them, and provide production services with high reliability and safety in the factory.
Manufacturing will be revolutionized over the next few years, and manufacturers should plan for the initial infrastructure needed to implement a better network as they upgrade their facilities. From business owners to facility managers to production workers, all team members will see how 5G and mobile edge computing can reduce product defect rates, reshape assembly line processes, and improve the efficiency and location accuracy of AI and ML systems. Help achieve future business enhancement and daily operation improvement.
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