A KEY CHALLENGE WITH DIGITAL MANUFACTURING LIES IN THE INITIAL HIGH INVESTMENT

Viven Chityala, Strategy Lead - IoT & Industry 4.0 at Tata Elxsi, outlines the numerous benefits that digital manufacturing offers in optimising various aspects of manufacturing operations. He also guides manufacturers through key challenges and emphasises the necessity for meticulous planning when investing in these cutting-edge technologies.

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What is digital manufacturing and what use cases deliver maximum benefits? 

Digital manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing, refers to the use of digital technologies and data-driven processes to optimise and streamline various aspects of manufacturing operations. It represents a transformative shift from traditional manufacturing methods to more automated, connected, and data-centric approaches, while also tapping into new technologies like AI, VR, and AR.

The current landscape is being transformed by rapid advancements and increasing complexity in manufacturing technologies. Digital manufacturing has enhanced business outcomes, with improvements of up to 88 per cent in productivity, 74 per cent in profitability, and 48 per cent in quality. The use cases of digital manufacturing that can deliver maximum benefits vary depending on the industry, which includes predictive maintenance, robotics, automation, and smart factory optimisation using tools such as digital twins to optimise production.

What sort of investments are needed to integrate IoT in digital manufacturing?

Digital manufacturing is the next step in industrial IT and software. With IoT, digital manufacturing can yield significant benefits, but it also requires careful planning for the investments to be successful.