Summary:

Smart manufacturing and the Smart Factory is a broad category of manufacturing with the goal of optimizing the manufacturing process. Smart manufacturing is the process that employs computer controls, modeling, big data and other automation to improve manufacturing efficiencies.

Smart manufacturing aims to take advantage of advanced information and manufacturing technologies to enable flexibility in physical processes to address a dynamic and global market. 

Smart Manufacturing is being predicted as the next Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. And, as with many other advances throughout recent years, it all has to do with technology connectivity and the advances in the contextualization of data.

Definitions:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines Smart Manufacturing as systems that are “fully-integrated, collaborative manufacturing systems that respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory, in the supply network, and in customer needs.” 

The SMLC definition states, "Smart Manufacturing is the ability to solve existing and future problems via an open infrastructure that allows solutions to be implemented at the speed of business while creating advantaged value."  

Smart Factory and Smart Manufacturing related articles:

What is the Smart Factory and its Impact on Manufacturing?

5 key trends in the global smart factory market

Becoming the Factory of the Future: How to Prepare Now for the Industrial Internet of Things

Key Terms:

Smart Factory, Smart Manufacturing, Big Data, Industry 4.0, Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT, Factory Automation, Machine Vision, 3D Printing, Micro Factory

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of ManufacturingTomorrow

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