The Future of Metal Casting with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The use of the industrial internet of things (IIoT) is becoming increasingly popular, and by 2020, estimates are that this market will be worth $151.01 Billion. More and more manufacturers are integrating IIoT technology in their plants in a bid to simplify manufacturing and gain more control over operations.

The metal casting industry is one of the sectors that is set to benefit immensely from the IIoT. In the past, the industry has faced a lot of challenges with resource and capacity management, quality control, downtime tracking of machinery, and energy management. In the era of the IIoT, these challenges will be a thing of the past as the technology brings smart solutions to the forefront. Here are some of the changes that metal casting factories can anticipate with the Industrial Internet of Things.

Machines will be interconnected
Connected machines in a plant form a vast processing network. The fourth industrial revolution is all about communication of devices. Machines will operate in synergy and processes will be automated. Because the machines are fitted with sensors which feed operational data to connected mobile devices, manufacturers can monitor processes and operate the machines remotely.

Casting plants will manage energy more efficiently
Metal furnaces consume a lot of energy, and they are also the biggest source of energy loss in metal casting plants. With the IIoT, future industrial furnaces will be smart, with temperature monitoring and regulating mechanisms. Also, these intelligent machines will also allow operators to key in calibrations of the optimal temperature for various metals.

Increased quality control in production
Manufacturers will use the data from the smart machines to analyze operational processes and monitor errors. Access to real-time data as the manufacturing process is ongoing will enable manufacturers to notice anomalies in production and adjust their machines accordingly to minimize defects in finished products.

Downtime tracking of machinery will be easier
Sensors on machinery will report on the working condition of machines and operators will be able to track downtime instantaneously. The best part of this is that besides determining the problem, they will be able to identify its cause. Based on this diagnosis, maintenance and repairs in the factory will be simpler and faster, saving the plant a lot of time and money lost when operation is down.

Improved resource management
In the age of the fourth industrial revolution, manufacturers will use big data to get insight on trends and demand in the metal casting sector. This knowledge will help them to respond to market demands more efficiently. Inventory control, enhanced quality control, better energy management, and saving on time due to automation and downtime tracking also contribute to resource management in future factory shops. The result will be increased productivity and consequentially, higher profit margins for manufacturers.

Easily integrating with ERP software, back-end systems, machines, equipment, scales and more, Radley brings the IoT (internet of things) together to truly maximize on your data. Contact us for your free consultation.