Our society is observing a rapid evolution of digitalization in every business field. This phenomenon is now called “Industry 4.0” (or fourth industrial revolution) and its symbol is artificial intelligence. It was preceded by the first industrial revolution (later called “industry 1.0) marked by the introduction of machines powered by steam, the second industrial revolution (industry 2.0) characterised by the invention of the assembly line, which was possible thanks to the discovery of new energy sources such as electricity and petroleum. Finally, the third industrial revolution (industry 3.0) started the process of automation thanks to the introduction of information technology (IT) and electronics (industrial robots and computers).

What is Industry 4.0?

The term Industry 4.0. has been used since the Hannover Messe in 2011 and it points out a process that wants to bring about the total automation of the industrial processes.  

Some lines of development have been defined and here are the most significant ones:

• data collection and storage: big data, open data, Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine, cloud computing. 

• analytics: reading and comprehension of the stored data which may also be useful for machine learning.

• human-machine interaction

• additive manufacturing (3D printing): the collected, stored, analysed and used for learning machine data turns into material goods. The virtual becomes real. 

To what extent can companies benefit from this process? 

Industry 4.0 can bring several advantages within the companies, for example: 

• Increased automation in the industrial production

• Faster processes

• Improved product quality

• Minimisation of errors 

• Continuous monitoring of machines and production system as a whole 

• Reduction of waste

Of course, the focus remains on the improvement of efficiency in the production processes.  

What has Molinati done to keep up with innovation?

Stay tuned and follow us to find out more in the next news.