Page 17 - Industrial Technology EXTRA - 6th April 2020

SMART MANUFACTURING... SKF

without considering the specific needs of their operations and their requirements, however, a
customers. It is vital that the customer’s programme of predictive maintenance can be
circumstances are understood fully, and the drawn-up that minimises unplanned downtime,
practical and specific benefits of adopting Industry potentially saving the customer hundreds of
4.0 technologies are explained to them. thousands of pounds in lost production.
The first step should be to determine the value Condition monitoring systems can also be used
that digital technologies can deliver to the customer, to gather data on the levels of noise, temperature
and this is achieved through the use of key and vibration generated by a piece of machinery.
performance indicators (KPIs). Many companies, for This data can then be used to identify, and thereby
example, are looking to improve their output. Taking solve, current problems and predict the emergence
a traditional approach, this might be achieved of future issues.
through the introduction of maintenance contracts
and consultancy agreements. By gathering process Changing perceptions
data using condition monitoring systems and by Further to increasing the focus on the value that can
gaining a thorough understanding of the customer's be created through Industry 4.0, there needs to be

6 April 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p17