Build an Industry 4.0 demonstration factory

At present, in the process of promoting intelligent manufacturing, enterprises are facing the challenge of networking machines and equipment in production and logistics with upper IT systems to varying degrees. At the same time, the increasing demand for customization also forces enterprises to reduce inventory, improve production line efficiency, improve the flexibility of shipping, improve the efficiency of resource utilization, and achieve production to order and just-in-time delivery.

140ACO13000 To this end, SICK, as a supplier and user of Industry 4.0, has built a modern Industrial 4.0 pilot demonstration Factory in Freiburg, Germany – SICK I4.0 NOW Factory, relying on intelligent sensors and automation, digital technology, The previous production line manufacturing mode has been transformed into a modular manufacturing mode, and the goal of full transparency and high efficiency in the manufacturing process has been realized. During the inspection process, through the introduction of the staff, the members of the delegation also fully appreciated the charm of this demonstration factory.

According to reports, with the growth of customers’ personalized needs, more and more product categories have been born, while the pressure of raw material cost, inventory pressure and on-time delivery pressure continue to increase, prompting SICK to begin to try to carry out product production in the way of full process transparency and real-time quality monitoring. This was the starting point for SICK to establish the SICK I4.0 NOW Factory in Freiburg, Germany. At SICK I4.0 NOW Factory, SICK has set up fully automated manufacturing workstations, manual workstations and hybrid workstations, and has developed its own manufacturing software to achieve optimal planning of production processes, as well as optimization of manufacturing efficiency and cost control.

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In addition, SICK I4.0 NOW Factory has also implemented information collection, storage and transmission based on cloud and big data, automatic quality control based on optical inspection system, automatic sensor-based AGV positioning, path planning and material distribution, and product tracking and traceability based on automatic identification system. Applications such as AI-based machine control and preventive maintenance.

140ACO13000 Today, the SICK I4.0 NOW Factory in Freiburg, Germany, is a real-life version of a connected smart factory with fully automated digital production and control processes. The “Industry 4.0” project implemented here has given SICK a decisive competitive advantage – effectively supporting SICK to develop new products and bring them to market quickly, able to respond quickly to the increasingly diverse and personalized needs of customers, and to achieve timely production. Even small batches can be produced on demand.

It is worth mentioning that since the plant is equipped with SICK’s own sensors and sensor systems, their performance can be tested in a real factory environment, which also enables SICK to gain a deeper understanding of the working process of the sensors, discover areas for improvement, and inspire the development of new products.