VIDEO: What to Consider When Investing in Smart Factory Technology

Remote monitoring, data crunching, the Cloud… Where do you start with Industry 4.0?

Everyone in the manufacturing sector is talking about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0, not to mention remote monitoring, software solutions about data crunching and use of the Cloud.

These technologies are interesting in their own right, but at some point the conversation has got to be about manufacturing things and that means working on the shop floor with motive power, hydraulics, pneumatics, actuators and processes that actually move things to make things.

In the video above, we talk with Richard Huss, president and CEO of FESTO corporation about how technology for the smart factory of today can get manufacturers started down the road of greater efficiency.

“At some point in time, you have to make products,” Huss said. “In essence, you have to tell something what to do to perform an action, like cutting a piece, press fitting or assembling. Using Internet tools and Industry 4.0 technology, we have to be able to collect all that information from your equipment and move it to the Cloud where it can be analyzed so manufacturers can be sure that their systems are accurate, robust or in need of diagnostics.”

Huss also walks us through technology offered at FESTO to accomplish these goals, including:

  • The FESTO Configuration Tool;
  • Online Handling Guide;
  • And the FESTO FAST App.

To learn more about tools and apps from FESTO, as well as modules and safety devices, watch the video above or visit www.festo.com

Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.