Our Projects

Industry 4.0 pilot

Project description and overview:

This pilot project is designed to help 12 Australian manufacturers, operating in a diverse range of industry segments, to improve their knowledge and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. This will provide a compelling demonstration to the wider Australian manufacturing sector of the benefits and pitfalls of integrating a fully integrating digital technology into operations and production processes.

Bosch has developed an audit tool that identifies technological capability gaps preventing SMEs from embracing Industry 4.0. The tool makes recommendations on how these companies can transition their businesses to the digital manufacturing era. Implementation recommendations may span the breadth of Industry 4.0 topics and will not be tied to specific proprietary technology platforms.

Implementation projects will assist companies to expand their technology capabilities and develop advanced characteristics. Depending on the site, these could include embracing highly integrated robotics, digitalisation of production processes, development of cyber-physical systems and high levels of automation. The implemented solutions will always be in line with the SME’s business goals and ambitions delivered through IIoT and Industry 4.0 digital solutions.

After project completion, all SMEs will have taken steps to implement digital technologies that allow them to increase their contribution to global value chains. These SMEs will also serve as reference sites for three years and feature as Industry 4.0 case studies – made available to the broader manufacturing industry via site visits, AMGC’s website, as well as via social media and partner channels.

 

Contributions:

Government Funds: $273,700 | Industry: $273,700

EXPECTED IMPACT

  • Higher spending on R&D to transition their legacy equipment to the digital manufacturing era
  • Increased ICT intensity using the Industry 4.0 audit tool outcomes
  • More collaboration with other manufacturers by producing case studies and facilitating site visits.
  • More automation through implementation projects. Automation, sensors and controls were found to be only a portion of the digital answer. Much of the audit outcomes centred on software solutions. As an example almost all outcomes had a visual, live performance dashboard. This was unwaveringly desired by all SME’s as the value of the constant live feed of performance being displayed to all employees was seen as a means of empowerment. All staff would be kept aware of the current state and therefore potentially identify future production mishaps.

EXPECTED GROWTH

  • After project completion, all SMEs will have taken steps to implement digital technologies that allow them to increase their contribution to global value chains. These SMEs will also serve as reference sites for three years and feature as Industry 4.0 case studies – made available to the broader manufacturing industry via site visits, AMGC’s website, as well as via social media and partner channels.

EXPECTED JOBS

  • New and highly skilled jobs are expected to be created as Industry 4.0 principles are implemented, allowing manufacturers to increase their contribution to global value chains.
Project Collaborators

      + 12 manufacturing SMEs