Industrial Iot devices

Industries have always been at the forefront of using the latest technology available. The arrival of IIoT devices (Industrial Internet of Things) has heralded a new age called Industry 4.0. This signifies a shift from robotic manufacturing to a more interconnected manufacturing process, using embedded technologies and industrial iot devices. It involves using various sensors, processors, and memory devices to increase efficiency and automate industrial processes.

This article will show some real-life use cases of IIoT solutions that streamline data collection, manufacturing, and automation to achieve maximum efficiency.

Industry 3.0 vs Industry 4.0: Time To Upgrade?

Technology moves at a frantic pace and it can leave even experts confused about the latest developments. Many companies are confused about what Industry 4.0 really means and how it can help them streamline their manufacturing. As most companies are currently using some variation of Industry 3.0 technologies, it would help to differentiate between the two. Going from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0 in technology has taken a while. The real change is how we use technology in Industry 4.0 – connecting all systems from the factory to the business level.

Characteristic	Industry 3.0	Industry 4.0
Processes	Automation	Autonomous decision making
Industry defining technology	Industrial robots	Collaborative robots
Production planning	Demand forecasting	Forecasting + On-Demand manufacturing
Alignment	Interconnection of production processes	Interconnection of the whole value chain
Variation	Delimited variation	Individually unique products
Goal	Efficiency	Flexibility & Efficiency
Revenue model	Selling products	Servitisation

To make it simpler, Industry 4.0 does everything that the previous iteration did but allows more room for autonomous decision-making, flexibility, and some serious interconnectedness from the factory floor to the final deliverable.

Top 10 Use Cases Of Industrial IoT Devices (IIoT)

1.Worker and Plant Safety

According to the U.S. National Safety Council, workplace injuries were a substantial financial burden for employers in 2020, amounting to $163.9 billion, or roughly $1,100 per worker. That’s why many business owners are now putting money into technologies to improve the health and safety of their workers. IIoT devices are at the forefront of these efforts, as these devices can help you track various crucial metrics. From body temperature and heart rate to exposure to poisonous substances, a simple sensor can track this data and alert the floor manager in case something goes awry. This can help the company prevent any accidents and reduce absenteeism.

2. Inventory Management

Inventory management is one of those menial tasks that are being completely transformed with the use of IIoT. Amazon, which houses one of the largest inventories of products in the world, makes widespread use of IIoT devices to track and manage its vast inventory. It can quickly track and update its inventory in real-time with hardly any manual intervention. While this works amazingly well for large companies, smaller e-commerce companies can also take advantage of this technology.

3.Location Tracking & Geofencing

IoT location tracking uses technology to help businesses track their moving assets, from the raw materials they use to make goods to the finished products they send anywhere in the world. It’s not hard to imagine how useful this is for any company looking to keep track of their products while taking advantage of the new globalized world.

Geofencing is an extension of IIoT asset tracking that allows businesses to predefine geographical boundaries in which their tracked object can function. One can receive email alerts, push notifications, or install kill switches in case the geographical boundaries are crossed. This can help prevent theft or unauthorized use of the company’s product. 

4. Predictive Maintenance

Modern plant operations are incomplete without predictive maintenance, as it helps predict machine failure before it happens. It utilizes historical data and machine learning to make these predictions. During the Industry 3.0 phase, which was characterized by the use of modern computers continually collecting data, it was really hard for manual operators to document and make sense of the collected data. This narrative changed with the advent of Industry 4.0 and the integration of IIoT devices. These devices collected way more data than before and combined with AI machine learning, it became much easier to make sense of this data. It is now possible to accurately preempt machine failures, perform maintenance, and analyze causes. 

5. Quality control

Quality control used to be difficult in the past as it relied on human inspection. Faulty products were common and rejection rates were high. With modern IIoT devices, however, it is possible to perform real-time quality checks and make adjustments on the fly. This drastically reduces the probability of manufacturing defects. Combined with preventive control measures, it is possible to stop or adjust the production process as soon as the AI detects a possible error in production or a failing machine. For both small manufacturers and large corporations alike, incorporating IoT for quality control is essential in today’s fast-paced and competitive manufacturing environment.

6. Remote Monitoring

Using IIoT remote monitoring helps you get the most out of your equipment. By keeping an eye on your equipment and operations, you can catch problems early, track how resources are used, optimize the manufacturing process, and save money. Since you can access this information from anywhere, you can make smart decisions quickly and safely. Some examples of remote monitoring parameters include:

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Water/Air Quality
• Vibration
• Location etc.

It lets you see these crucial parameters at all times, even remotely when you are away from your factory. This helps your engineers quickly adjust to any situation and keep your business running smoothly.

7. Advanced Analytics

Modern industrial iot devices are not complete without heavy use of AI and machine learning. All the data these devices collect is combined with historical data from legacy systems. This helps a business perform advanced analytics and gain new insights about its industrial processes. Businesses can optimize manufacturing processes, remove bottlenecks, identify areas of improvement, and assuredly implement data-backed ideas.

8.Energy Management

Businesses need to follow all the latest EPA guidelines and energy conservation is a big part of that. Clever implementation of industrial iot devices can not only make your business future-proof but also help in current energy consumption goals. These smart devices continuously monitor and analyze energy consumption patterns, enabling businesses to identify inefficiencies promptly. With the aid of predictive analytics, IIoT devices forecast future energy needs, allowing for proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime. To sum it up, the implementation of IIoT  in energy management not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainability objectives by minimizing energy wastage.

9. Smart Alerts and Notifications

Push notifications and email alerts are just some of the many ways the “internet” is used Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Real-time efficiency and alerts are essential in many production processes. A systems engineer can implement various triggers that will automatically send alerts & notifications.

10. Autonomous Decision Making
    Autonomous decision-making really leverages all the interconnectedness that industrial iot devices provide. Machines communicate with each other to make crucial manufacturing decisions using embedded systems and custom firmware. It is one of the most difficult things to implement but when done successfully, really represents the cutting edge of Industry 4.0.

Which Industries Use IIoT?

Almost every Industry can benefit from IIoT technology and industry trends necessitate their adoption. However, industries that rely on production line or supply chain efficiency will greatly benefit from the early adoption of industrial iot devices. Examples include:

1. Food manufacturing industry
2. Oil & Gas Industry
3. Construction
4. Industrial Electronics

All these industries can leverage IIoT to get the most out of the unique benefits that Industrial IoT devices offer. The food manufacturing industry employs IIoT for careful supply chain management and compliance with safety regulations. In the Oil & Gas sector, predictive analytics from connected devices increase operational reliability by enabling proactive maintenance. Construction companies leverage IIoT for streamlined project management, resource allocation, and improved worker safety. Industrial Electronics benefits from real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated systems, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and product quality.

Avench is an IIoT solutions provider that has experience and expertise in working with these industries. It provides solutions to seamlessly integrate various IIoT devices with IIoT platforms and data collection points. Whether you are a small business looking to increase efficiency or need something more large-scale, Avench has the engineers to help you. 

Avench is one of the leading embedded companies in bangalore, to know more information  for any sales queries, wait for no further contact us at +1 (775) 404-5757. You can also email us at sales@avench.com, or fill the query form in a website.