In the consumer-centric and demanding service standards of today’s world, it is no surprise that technology has evolved to be able to optimize everything from manufacturing to delivery of goods. In the logistics and inventory industry, for example, next-day and even same-day arrival of goods are becoming commonplace. Through innovative developments and advanced industrial automation in supply chain processes, shipping times have been greatly reduced, with an efficiency that a mere few years ago was unimaginable.

The COVID-19 pandemic has supercharged the demand for digital offerings and Industry 4.0 technology.

As much as the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered for its chilling effect on business and economic activity, apparently it has had quite the opposite impact on industry’s zest for digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies.

With more advanced predictive maintenance tools at their disposal, today’s maintenance and operations teams can improve efficiencies and minimize unplanned downtime.

Few other industrial environments can match the diverse and difficult operating conditions found across the food and beverage processing industries, which can have an adverse impact on the machinery used on the factory floor and also on overall productivity.

Few industries have seen more transformation over the past decade than that of the pulp and paper industry. Gone forever is the ability of the business to rely heavily on staples such as newsprint and glossy magazine paper. Use of electronic devices and media have reduced considerably even the need for paper in the office environment.

The robots of the future will benefit from technology advances such as increased human-robot interaction, increased mobility, and multi-robot coordination.

The robots of the future will exceed the capabilities of today’s robots. They will be able to automating tasks that were previously impossible. Many of these robots of tomorrow–the ones that will transform the way we work, the way we travel, the way we purchase items and more–are under development today.

Commercial challenges for machine designers are being address by the motion control industry. See how these five advances can help with motion control designs.

Motion control system designers are under pressure to differentiate offerings in an increasingly commoditized marketplace in a wide range of applications, such as benchtop laboratory automation, plant-floor material handling, and heavy-duty construction vehicles. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) ask control component vendors for help, seeking more functionality in less space, faster time to delivery for prototypes and products, and more control and flexibility over price points with seamless integration and operation.

In the world of manufacturing, Industry 4.0 is bringing exciting changes to how companies operate. When implemented correctly, the initiatives that go along with Industry 4.0 have the potential to make manufacturing safer, more cost-efficient and more effective. The combination of traditional manufacturing with the modern Internet of Things and a holistic approach is a big move forward for companies.