Lean Manufacturing and the Industrial Internet of Things
The industrial internet of things (IIoT) refers to interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with computers’ industrial applications, including manufacturing and energy management. This connectivity allows for data collection, exchange, and analysis, potentially facilitating improvements in productivity and efficiency as well as other economic benefits. The IIoT allows for a higher degree of automation by using cloud computing to refine and optimize the process controls.
Potential benefits of the industrial internet of things include improved productivity and analytics. Machine learning and artificial intelligence in particular will allow software to more accurately predict outcomes without explicitly being programmed. This can include predictive maintenance, waste reduction, and smart inventory control, making IIoT particularly appealing in lean manufacturing.
Intelligent maintenance systems alone can reduce unexpected downtime and increase productivity, saving up to 12% over scheduled repairs, reducing overall maintenance costs by up to 30%, and eliminating breakdowns by up to 70%, according to some studies.
Vocabulary:
industrial internet of things (IIoT) – a network of smart devices, sensors, and instruments used in factories and industries to collect data and improve operations, “The factory installed the industrial internet of things (IIoT) to keep track of machine temperatures automatically.”
interconnected – connected or linked together closely, “All the computers in our school library are interconnected so they can share files instantly.”
networked – linked together in a system so that information, data, or resources can be shared easily, “The office printer is networked to everyone’s laptop in the room.”
industrial applications – the practical uses of technology, machines, or methods within factories, manufacturing, and large businesses, “This heavy-duty motor was designed specifically for industrial applications like building cars.”
connectivity – the ability of computers, devices, or programs to successfully connect and communicate with each other, “Our remote cabin has very poor internet connectivity, so we cannot watch videos online.”
facilitating – making an action or process much easier, smoother, or more likely to happen, “The new online portal is great for facilitating communication between parents and teachers.”
automation – the use of machines, computers, or automatic equipment to do work instead of human workers, “Factory automation allows the company to package thousands of boxes without any manual labor.”
refine – to make small, careful changes to something in order to improve it or make it more perfect, “The chef had to refine the recipe three times before the soup tasted just right.”
optimize – to adjust or design something so it becomes as perfect, effective, or efficient as possible, “You can optimize your computer’s speed by deleting old files you do not need anymore.”
analytics – the systematic study or computerized analysis of data and statistics to find useful patterns, “The website manager looks at weekly analytics to see which articles are the most popular.”
explicitly – in a very clear, direct, and detailed way that leaves no doubt about the meaning, “The teacher explicitly told us not to use our phones during the history quiz.”
predictive maintenance – a technique that uses data to predict exactly when a machine might break down so it can be fixed before failing, “By using predictive maintenance, the airline company fixes airplane engines before any real problems happen.”
appealing – attractive, interesting, or highly desirable, “The idea of working from home is very appealing to many parents.”
lean manufacturing – a business strategy focused on cutting out waste and making factory production as efficient and cheap as possible, “Our company uses lean manufacturing to save money and reduce the amount of leftover plastic.”
unexpected downtime – a period of time when a machine, computer system, or factory unexpectedly stops working or goes offline, “The broken server caused hours of unexpected downtime for the online bank.”
scheduled repairs – fixed dates or times set in advance to mend, check, or maintain equipment, “The train lines are closed this Sunday for scheduled repairs on the tracks.”
eliminating – completely removing, destroying, or getting rid of something, “Brushing and flossing daily is an excellent way of eliminating bad breath.”