Turning Industry 4.0 into reality
Turning Industry 4.0 into reality
Some of the world’s leading manufacturers are turning the concept of Industry 4.0 into reality. In the Automotive sector, Continental is pioneering the way.
It seems the challenges of the past year have only hardened manufacturers’ resolve to digitally transform their organisations. Recent research from the Aberdeen Group indicates that digital transformation has become more of a priority for 67% of manufacturers. These organisations have recognised the importance of using technology to improve time-to-market, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and advance innovation and are accelerating their efforts. They are putting Industry 4.0 into action.
One Automotive manufacturing giant, Continental, is already some considerable way down this pathway after setting out its own plan to turn Industry 4.0 into reality across its global operation. The company has always been focused on improving production processes and its vision is to have a fully automated supply chain by 2030, called 'Fast Forward 2030'. It’s aim is to combine people and automation technology with the goal to provide efficient processes for the end customers – while also aiming to increase safety and improving the work environment for the employees.
As part of this wider move towards industry 4.0, and a transition from lean management to digitisation, Panasonic was tasked with delivering a process upgrade for Continental's automotive factory in Regensburg, Germany, to streamline operations and improve efficiency on deliveries received at the site. The Regensburg site is one of two global model factories for Industry 4.0 strategy implementation. At the Bavarian site and in Zvolen, Slovakia, innovative processes and technologies are developed and tested before being rolled out company-wide.
The aim of the project was to shorten the time between goods receipt and booking so that goods were available for production more quickly. After booking the parts, the ERP system shows whether materials are in stock.
Deliveries often arrived on mixed pallets, sometimes with up to 10 individual goods from different manufacturers on one pallet or a shipment from one manufacturer spread over several mixed pallets. Before booking in the warehouse management system, all shipments that belong to a single order must be found. This process was losing valuable time.
Panasonic delivered a turnkey system combining two technologies - object recognition, and projection mapping. The central element is a conveyor belt on which two operators can simultaneously place packages when they have been unloaded from the truck. The parcels are loaded onto the 7- metre-long conveyor belt where the Visual Sort Assist solution scans the barcodes and projects the suppliers' name and priority onto the parcels, which are transported over the belt at 0.8 metres per second.
To create the solution, Panasonic monitored and evaluated the material flow, the data streams and the manual working process over six weeks with a team of experts from Europe and Japan consisting of business analysts, system engineers and software specialists. During the course of the project, central key technologies such as image processing software were developed further in collaboration with the customer. The results were a read rate of 99.6%, this means that the system processes 300 parcels in 20 minutes, or 15 parcels per minute - almost regardless of placement, font size, font, or possible previous damage. The search times have now been eliminated by 40% - and will be reduced by 90% with the next update of the Warehouse Management Software.
It’s a great practical example of how Panasonic’s Gemba Process innovation approach of understanding the business challenge and deploying manufacturing know-how and smart technology solutions can deliver practical Industry 4.0 solutions. For the full Continental story, visit: Continental Automotive drives towards supply chain evolution | Panasonic Connect
To find out more about how we can help you optimise manual sorting processes please click here or contact us.
Find out more about how we can help you optimise manual sorting processes
Read more insights…
blog
Pioneering B2B Solutions: Unveiling the Role of a Technology Expert at Panasonic Campus Munich
As an engineer working at Panasonic Connect Europe, my journey spans nine years, focusing on Supply Chain Solutions tailored for the Retail and Logistics sectors. Beyond the routine of technical configurations and product enhancements, my role extends to being an engineering expert at the innovative Panasonic Campus Munich, Panasonic’s brand center for Europe, where technology converges with experiential demonstrations.
blog
Supply Chain: The role of technology for Bio Pharma – Part II
The second article about the role of technology for Bio Pharma outlines how change management, timescales and alternate partners can help to address shortages within the supply chain.
blog
Supply Chain: The role of technology for Bio Pharma – Part I
Within the Bio Pharma sector, companies embrace the challenge of sustainability and responsible business, with a heavy focus on how the industry can better engage, monitor, and improve its relationship with suppliers and manufacturers. It is understood across the industry that environment, safety, and social outcomes are critical. Ultimately, we are all patients when it comes to the production of pharmaceutical drugs.
blog
Exploring Panasonic's Campus Munich: A Hub of Innovation and Service
As an Engineer involved in the diverse world of Panasonic at the Campus Munich, I've witnessed the connection of cutting-edge technology, collaboration, and a variety of innovative solutions shaping the future of the industry. Among the hands-on demo products and advancements, one that stands out as my personal favorite is the alignment of Digital Signage and Electronics Shelf Labels: The Connected Signage.
Sorry there was an error...
The files you selected could not be downloaded as they do not exist.
You selected items.
Continue to select additional items or download selected items together as a zip file.
You selected 1 item.
Continue to select additional items or download the selected item directly.
Share page
Share this link via:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Xing
Facebook
Or copy link: