Is Smart Manufacturing a Future ?

Smart Manufacturing are systems which are fully-integrated, collaborative manufacturing systems that respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory, in the supply network, and in customer needs. It has the ability to solve existing and future problems by using open infrastructure that allows solutions to be implemented at the speed of business while creating advantaged value.

Smart Manufacturing transform traditional factories from cost centers into profit centers that progressive businesses will strategically invest in to increase sales. Traditional factories are cost centers. Brings methodical change in products in manufacturing how they are invented, manufactured, shipped and sold. Improves worker safety and protect the environment by making zero emissions, zero-incident manufacturing possible. 

Smart manufacturing involves information, technology and human ingenuity to bring a rapid revolution in the development and application of manufacturing intelligence to every aspect of business. Big data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are the substantive foundation that enables advanced levels of smart manufacturing performance.  Good data governance helps to nurture a culture of analytics.

Smart manufacturing solutions are mostly targeted towards large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and rarely available as reconfigurable open applications suited for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Data analytics problem for manufacturing applications can be resolved by using both data and analytics modeling. Challenge is to reduce information overload (for manufacturing by orders of magnitude) and filter used to get same level of insights with less data. Development of mathematical and computational models for filters which should not discard useful information. Usage of Apache Spark for sorting and data streaming. Deep learning and cyber security are also needed.

Smart Manufacturing project develops data analytics infrastructure that includes open protocols, predictive analytical models, standards and deliver a prototype framework for real-time improvement of dynamic production system efficiency. SMART Manufacturing project enables large manufacturing companies, their suppliers (small and medium enterprises), and technology solution providers to advance data analytics solution stack as the next generation capabilities.