How Will Industry 4.0 Impact Quality Assurance?

Increasing connectivity drives demand for advanced calibration and repair services.

If you’ve been paying attention to the latest trends in manufacturing, you’ve probably noticed a lot of talk about Industry 4.0.

Whether it’s in the context of the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) or a demo factory specifically designed to show off the capabilities of a fully connected production plant, this evocative phrase is everywhere. Even manufacturing giants like Ford are getting swept up in the Industry 4.0 craze.

But what does Industry 4.0 mean for quality professionals?

For a start, the use of big data promises to enhance quality assurance in a host of ways. In addition, the increased complexity of factories—as well as their products—will boost the calibration and repair services market. This is the main finding of a recent study by Frost & Sullivan’s Global Measurement and Instrumentation research team.

According to the study, demand for advanced calibration and repair services is being driven by greater connectivity in end-user industries, such as automotive manufacturing, as well as the rising penetration of complex products in the aerospace and defence industries.

The report predicts that the European Market will grow from USD $1.51 billion in 2015 to $2.12 billion in 2022, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 percent.

“The complexity of smart products necessitates a superior level of testing and attention to detail right at the design stage, intensifying the demand for sophisticated and accurate instrumentation,” said Frost & Sullivan Measurement & Instrumentation research analyst Apoorva Ravikrishnan.

“Every year, there is a rise in the number of new and complex instrumentation that requires calibration, from a variety of end-user industry verticals,” Ravikrishnan added.

The study also identifies the automation of calibration and repair services as another prominent trend in the test and measurement sector. This is because automation boosts the consistency of results and reduces the costs of calibration and repair time, according to the report.

The Calibration and Repair Services Market in Europe study is part of Frost & Sullivan’s Test & Measurement Growth Partnership Service program. Related studies from Frost & Sullivan include:

  • Global Portable and Handheld Analytical Instrumentation Market
  • Radio Access Networks (RAN)
  • Capacity Planning and Management Market
  • Global Wireless Test Equipment Market
  • New Competition for the Global Test and Measurement Market in IoT Wireless Technologies
  • Emerging Opportunities in Global Analytical Instrumentation Services & Support Market

For more information, visit the Frost & Sullivan website.

Written by

Ian Wright

Ian is a senior editor at engineering.com, covering additive manufacturing and 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Ian holds bachelors and masters degrees in philosophy from McMaster University and spent six years pursuing a doctoral degree at York University before withdrawing in good standing.