Technology has become the key for manufacturing industry to move forward. In the last 25 years, most producers have implemented new technologies in various forms, aims to increase output revenue. Now, manufacturing industry is facing further challenges, namely the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) to increase its business increase.
What is IoT? Internet of Things, also known as abbreviation IoT, is a concept that aims to expand the benefits of internet connectivity. As for capabilities such as data sharing, remote control, etc., including objects in the real world. For example, food, electronics, collections, any equipment, including living things that are all connected to local and global networks through sensors that are embedded and always active.
Basically, the Internet of Things refers to objects that can be identified uniquely as virtual representations in an Internet-based structure. The term Internet of Things was originally suggested by Kevin Ashton in 1999 and became famous through the Auto-ID Center at MIT. Now IoT is one of the tasks for a student at a college.
The IoT system allows users to achieve more depth in automation, analysis and system integration. Especially for those who want to increase regional reach and accuracy. IoT utilizes new and existing sensing, Network and Robotics technologies.
Base on BI predictions, manufacturing companies that lead IoT adoption, will invest $ 70 billion dollars in 2020. Apparently, the manufacturing industry sees the highest ROI from IoT compared to other industries. How do manufacturers make use of IoT? There are many ways, but one of the most significant and useful is for maintenance automation.
Maintenance automation using technology such as installing sensors on equipment provides many benefits. This can increase situational awareness of plant operations and equipment conditions in real-time. Maintenance information in a concise view can be seen by staff through the dashboard with real time measurement and performance.
This can provide automatic warnings such as early warning so that staff has enough time to act and prevent more serious disturbances. And, if manufacturers have adopted further concepts, such as predictive maintenance, improving analytic functions will affect performance, output, and efficiency. This technology is very helpful in the manufacturing industry.
What are the main benefits of implementing IoT in maintaining manufacturing facilities? In general, IoT has the biggest effect on:
Downtime
One of the benefits of IoT is minimizing downtime. By identifying potential problems before they occur, IoT can minimize and even eliminate downtime, especially those that can affect product quality, and the high cost of replacing the engine.
Production efficiency
Other benefits of IoT is for production efficiency. With overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and total effective equipment Performance (TEEP) facilities, IoT can help create increased production and long-term savings.
Failure Rates
Another benefit of IoT is to reduce failure rates. There is no commensurate production efficiency if the product fails and must be withdrawn. By using IoT in maintenance, the team can focus on identifying potential problems before engine damage begins.
Intrusiveness
Also, another benefit of IoT is intrusiveness. Preventive maintenance can involve dismantling / re-installing the machine, which can weaken the system and increase the potential for interference. IoT can facilitate predictive maintenance, see system problems or the condition of a component in real time, without affecting system and machine life.
Those are some of the benefits of utilizing manufacturing facilities. One industrial area that has used internet technology in its manufacturing industry is Karawang New Industry City. As one of the largest industrial estate in West Java, KNIC is an industrial area that already uses IoT technology.