Time to connect the machines for the production of the future
Time to connect the machines for the production of the future
Industry 4.0 and IoT are concepts that most of the manufacturing industry has started to take a closer look at. The vision is that products that go through the manufacturing process communicate with the production equipment in a self-learning system – the smart factory.
Considerable activity in the field
”What drives development is the need to increase productivity and thus maintain its competitiveness. With the smart factory, you can see highly automated production processes with less operators. Because machines and even products in the flow themselves can call on operators as needed, fewer employees can manage more production units more efficiently.”
“Other factors that increase interest are changes in the market place that lead to changed production processes. Shorter lead times, higher quality requirements, more customer-specific manufacturing, shorter series and more changeovers are some of the parameters”, says Mats Elmwall, Marketing & PR Executive at OPTIWARE.
Where are we today?
In order for the vision to be realized to the level it has been raised by many actors and the media, all different systems must be able to communicate seamlessly. Unified communications and data formats are required, as well as IT security solutions. So, do we need to wait another 10 years?

Production of the future realized by many
In addition, many have connections to an EAM system like API PRO, which provides seamless integration between production site and maintenance for e.g. alarm and error notification. It also provides the ability to build maintenance on actual production data, which in turn allows for predictive and proactive maintenance, making concepts such as Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) real.
”Here at OPTIWARE we have helped our customers to connect the machines and measure their production for almost 20 years, so this is nothing new to us. The companies that have been working with this for some time have a head start since they have learned what is important in context of using the information effectively to improve their production”, says Mats Elmwall.

Positive trend for OPTIWARE
“The trend of increased interest in Industry 4.0 and IoT is very positive for us. We have lengthy experience of delivering large parts of what is still a vision for many. We connect our customers’ machines, help integrate with other systems and make production data available. We have solutions to visualize and make information available within local production facilities and globally in major organizations. We also have the tools to compile and analyze production data to create decision making material and enable improvements in efficiency and increased profitability.”
“ OPTIWARE offer a complete sloution with integration between our OEE system AXXOS OEE and our EAM system API PRO suitable for all manufacturing companies with reliability, efficiency and productivity in focus. “
Mats Elmwall provides a good advice for the companies that have not yet begun their journey towards future production.
“Take a closer look at how well you are utilizing your production resources. When you have a better idea of your current situation you are better set up to start working on improvements. Then you can continue to look at how the information can be used in different parts of the organization to continue the journey towards the smart factory”, he concludes.