Industry 4.0 | The Factory of the Future: Smart Factory

Written by Denise Rice. Denise is the CEO of Peak Performance and the Manufacturing Consultant to the Tennessee Manufacturers Association.She is a former plant manager with nearly 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry.

The Smart Factory is characterized by adaptability and customization, efficient resource utilization, improved safety and ergonomics, and the integration of customers in the value stream. Its foundation is the Internet of Things (IoT).

A smart factory can be made up by 7 different elements, which include, systems integration, cloud based, applied robotic, additive manufacturing, augmented reality (AR), big data and analytics, and cyber physical systems (CPS).

The goal is the intelligent factory (Smart Factory) that is characterized by adaptability, resource efficiency, and ergonomics, as well as the integration of customers and business partners in business and value processes. Its technological foundation consists of cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things.