Machines should be able to adapt quickly to changing industrial production requirements. As the market environment is constantly changing, companies must have the ability to quickly adapt their production processes and integrate new products or variants. Modular automation concepts, in which individual machine modules can be combined and customised as needed, offer greater flexibility. This makes companies are more agile so they can react to market changes and increase their competitiveness.
Design machines so that they perform tasks autonomously and without constant human supervision. The digital transformation with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning allows machines to make decisions independently and improve themselves. By automating processes, efficiency can be increased, product quality is improved and costs are reduced. This can be achieved, for example, by using robotics, advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and automated control systems.
Predictive maintenance is another key element of industrial change; it helps companies to continuously monitor the condition and state of their machines and systems digitally and identify potential problems at an early stage. Maintenance tasks can be optimised and unplanned downtime can be reduced to a minimum thanks to digitalisation together with data analysis and machine learning.
Machines should be able to communicate with each other and exchange data digitally. This enables seamless integration and coordination in production. Digital networking makes it possible for machines to exchange information in real time. As a result, processes can be optimised, bottlenecks can be identified and efficiency can be increased. In Industry 4.0, for example, this can be achieved through the use of IoT technologies and standardised communication protocols.
In the age of Industry 4.0, future machines should also be sustainable and energy-efficient and make optimum use of resources. Energy-efficient components, sensors and advanced control technologies can help to optimise performance and save energy. For example, machines can use sensors to adapt their energy requirements to the current workload or monitor energy consumption in real time. By optimising energy efficiency, companies can not only reduce their environmental impact, but also cut their operating costs.
Machines should have advanced safety features to protect employees and the environment. In industry, this includes, among others, the use of sensors for detecting hazards, the implementation of safety protocols and the integration of protective devices. Machine safety is crucial to prevent accidents at work and to ensure the health and well-being of employees.