The Role of Connected Equipment in Smart Manufacturing

Industry 4.0 saw manufacturers shifting an edge over their competition, pioneering operations, and maximizing product quality with connected equipment. The integration of IoT remote monitoring, allowing smart manufacturing to blossom, is enabling real-time data collection, analysis, and decision-making. Such a new state will not only induce efficiency but with such a transformation, manufacturers would stand in a prime position to meet market demands with unprecedented speed and accuracy. As a leader in providing IoT solutions, Bridgera is pioneering smart manufacturing with sophisticated IoT equipment monitoring solutions. 

Why Connected Equipment is Key in Smart Manufacturing?

Connected equipment plays a pivotal role in smart manufacturing by enabling seamless communication between machinery, sensors, and software platforms. This interconnectedness allows manufacturers to:

• Increase Operational Efficiency: Implementing real-time remote monitoring for equipment makes it possible to constantly survey machine performance, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime when processes run as usual. Another fine aspect is the predictive maintenance powered by IoT that delivers the much-needed finger-up before an unexpected failure ever occurs, as it pinpoints when a device needs service based on the data-backed insights.
• Enhance Product Quality: With the help of health monitoring and performance-measuring devices, manufacturers can uphold product quality levels. IoT equipment monitoring gives real-time alerts that allow for immediate corrective measures when equipment drifts off its standard operating conditions.
• Improve Safety: All equipment connected through IoT is capable of detecting potentially hazardous situations early, which prevents danger from being triggered within the workplace. For example, IoT sensors can sense temperature changes, detect chemical leaks, or detect inappropriate vibrating motions, which would, in turn, lead to automatic shutdowns to ensure the safety of workers and machines alike.
• Enable Interoperability: Interoperability is essential in smart manufacturing, allowing diverse systems to communicate seamlessly, share data, and drive informed, real-time decisions across the organization.

The foundation of these benefits lies in real-time data and the ability to act upon it, and this is where Bridgera’s solutions make a difference.

Bridgera’s Role in Smart Manufacturing: Making IoT Work

Bridgera specializes in IoT-driven remote monitoring solutions, uniquely tailored to meet the specific needs of manufacturing companies. Bridgera’s IoT platform integrates seamlessly with a range of industrial machinery, capturing key metrics and making data available for analysis. Here’s how Bridgera stands out:

• Customizable Remote Monitoring Solutions: Bridgera customizes IoT remote monitoring solutions to meet the unique needs of every manufacturer. Monitoring CNC machines or assembly lines, Bridgera gathers data and insights that matter.
• Real-Time Alerts and Predictive Maintenance: Bridgera provides real-time alerts for anomalies and allows for predicting when equipment needs maintenance. Such proactive measures will reduce production stops and help manufacturers schedule their maintenance activities without loss of output.
• Data Analytics for Informed Decision-Making: Bridgera’s platform boasts comprehensive IoT data analytics, turning raw data into usable information. This makes it possible for manufacturers to make expedient decisions based on data, such as scheduling maintenance jobs or efficiently deploying their resources.
• Scalable Solution: The IoT solutions of Bridgera are built up to scale along with the growth of all manufacturers. More equipment and increased complexity in analytics can be added to the platform while production requirements change without any disturbance in ongoing operations.

Important Applications of IoT Equipment Monitoring in Manufacturing

• Condition Monitoring: IoT sensors track key parameters such as temperature, vibration, and humidity and provide real-time information regarding equipment health. For example, if a motor for a conveyor belt runs hotter than normal, then an alert may be issued to allow timely intervention.
• Energy Management: IoT-connected equipment allows manufacturers to monitor energy use throughout their facility. By identifying energy-hungry machinery and processes, manufacturers can introduce steps to lower costs and reduce environmental impact.
• Inventory and Supply Chain Management: Connected equipment is capable of monitoring raw materials and finished goods production rates. Manufacturers see an instantaneous inventory of levels and output production integrated with supply chain management software, leading to improved supply chain planning.
• Predictive Maintenance: IoT solutions use data from equipment sensors to identify patterns that predict maintenance needs before a failure occurs. For example, data from hydraulic presses may present increased friction, which may be an indicator for preventive lubrication or parts replacement.

Why Now? The Competitive Advantage of Smart Manufacturing

As global competition in manufacturing intensifies, companies are under pressure to innovate quickly while minimizing costs. Smart manufacturing combined with IoT solutions could offer manufacturers such advantages. With the help of real-time insights, waste is reduced, production is optimized, and operational efficiency is increased. Bridgera’s IoT equipment solutions offer businesses a strategic advantage whereby they scale fast, allowing for specific use cases that permit a faster time to market when starting on a small scale. 

Bottomline

Connected equipment serves as the backbone for smart manufacturing, providing unprecedented visibility into operations, quality control, and safety. Bridgera’s IoT services provide manufacturers with IoT remote monitoring solutions, enabling them to make data-driven decisions, improve equipment uptime, and generate more profits. Accepting connected equipment is no longer an option but a necessity in the era of Industry 4.0.

About Bridgera: Bridgera effortlessly combines innovation and expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions using connected intelligence. We engineer experiences that go beyond expectations, equipping our clients with the tools they need to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. Since our establishment in 2015, Bridgera, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, has specialized in crafting and managing tailored SaaS solutions for web, mobile, and IoT applications across North America. 

About Author: Gayatri Sriaadhibhatla is a seasoned writer with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple industries. Her passion for technology and a keen interest in emerging IoT trends drive her writing pursuits. Always eager to expand her knowledge, she is dedicated to delivering insightful content that informs the audience.