November 8, 2024 Powering the Technologies that Drive Industry 4.0

In the age of digitized industrialization, innovative information technology and power infrastructure are critical to driving Industry 4.0.

By Gopal Mitra, Industrial Segment Leader, OmniOn Power

As Industry 4.0 continues to transform the way work is done in the industrial sector, a more connected ecosystem for manufacturing and supply chain management has emerged for companies that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data. The IoT is a particularly critical element of this transformation as it enables connectivity, data-driven insights, and optimization across a range of smart factory operations.

In this era of digitized industrialization, innovative information technology (IT) and power infrastructure will be critical to driving network-based control systems and high-speed, high-bandwidth communications.  

For example, as digital, physical, and virtual resources converge, there is an increased need for localized edge computing to facilitate high speed communications and data transfers. Additionally, advanced semiconductors and semiconductor packaging that can handle higher voltages and lower currents can enhance efficiency as data is transmitted over long distances. And as the world becomes increasingly reliant on data-driven decision making, AI will provide precises data analytics at rapid speeds.

The Critical Role of Edge Computing

By bringing computational capabilities closer to where data is generated, processed, and utilized, edge computing plays a critical role in the advancement of Industry 4.0. Edge network processes move computing closer to the source of data, reducing latency and bandwidth usage as well as the reliance on cloud computing as processes occur in local devices such as a user’s computer, an IoT device, or an edge server. As a result, servers and data centers supporting manufacturing and Industry 4.0 require innovative power solutions at the edge of the network to keep pace with increased demand for localized computing capacity.

Edge computing also will play a pivotal role in advancing autonomous vehicle technology, delivering low-latency and high data throughput to enable enhanced capabilities and improved safety. And when it comes to Industry 4.0, those same factors can help make manufacturing more efficient and productive. Businesses that use autonomous vehicles in distributed manufacturing processes or automated guided vehicles (AGVs) on a factory floor can realize an array of benefits by implementing edge computing. These could include keeping manufacturing operations running smoothly, enabling a more cost-effective execution of real-time data processing, and reducing latency in decision-making.      

The Future of Smart Manufacturing

In addition, AI, ML, and high volumes of data will continue to enhance the capabilities of smart machines and robotics in the industrial space, elevating existing applications to unprecedented levels. The impact of Industry 4.0 on traditional manufacturing systems brings with it the need for a range of advanced tools to monitor and control industrial processes. And all these platforms will have varying power needs that must be considered holistically.

As machines, devices, and systems communicate and share data in real-time, the networking equipment enabling this connectivity (including edge data centers) will require robust and efficient power solutions to help ensure uptime and consistent communication.

Other technologies driving Industry 4.0 include high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. For apps that require fast data processing and low-latency communication, HEMTs deliver high-frequency operation and facilitate rapid signal processing and transmission by leveraging high efficiency at high frequencies. HEMTs can increase energy efficiencies by reducing power consumption in Industry 4.0 applications. In smart factories and industrial automation, HEMTs can help reduce the power demands for critical components such as data analytics, robotics, and IoT devices.

WBG semiconductors comprised of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) have lower conduction losses and can operate at higher frequencies compared to traditional silicon-based semiconductors. Due to their compact design and high-power density, WBG semiconductors can improve energy efficiencies, meet the intense demand for increased computing capacity, and accelerate the integration of IoT devices and smart manufacturing platforms.

The Convergence of Digital, Physical, and Virtual Resources

The fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed the industrial and manufacturing space through the implementation of AI technologies, increased connectivity, and data-driven decision making that bring together digital, physical, and virtual resources like never before. However, although some businesses are still getting up to speed on Industry 4.0 initiatives, its successor – Industry 5.0 – is already underway. 

According to the EU’s European Commission, Industry 5.0 will “… achieve societal goals beyond jobs and growth to become a provider of prosperity, by making production respect the boundaries of our planet and placing the wellbeing of the industry worker at the center of the production process.”  

As Industry 4.0 is poised to evolve into 5.0, the convergence of technologies that include AI, IoT, ML, data analytics, and cloud computing has driven the digital transformation across industries by improving efficiency, flexibility, and innovation. As such, Industry 4.0 has created a paradigm shift towards smarter, more connected, data-driven manufacturing and industrial processes.

Gopal Mitra is the global segment leader for industrial at OmniOn Power, which designs, develops, and manufactures reliable, high-quality power solutions for mission-critical applications. He works closely with customers to understand and help address their toughest power challenges in applications such as robotics, electric vehicle charging, and lasers.

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