Moving to Industry 4.0 now seems essential for manufacturers who want to improve their productivity and the safety of their employees. The term “Industry 4.0” refers to the fourth industrial revolution, which involves deploying connected, robotic and intelligent solutions throughout the manufacturing process. These challenges are at the heart of MGA TechLab 4.0, the innovation platform of MGA Technologies.
Despite its many advantages, the factory of the future can also bring a number of risks that should never be overlooked. Discover how to control the risks of Industry 4.0 with MGA Technologies.
Industry 4.0: The Future of Your Production Equipment
Moving to Industry 4.0 allows a company to benefit from technological advances and technical progress in the way work is organized. The interconnected 4.0 factory emphasizes the interaction between operators, employees and products. Forecasts published a few years ago estimated that Industry 4.0 would affect 600,000 direct and indirect jobs in France by 2025, and create up to €60 billion in added value.
New technological advances enable manufacturers to meet their customers’ ever-growing expectations in terms of price, quality and quantity. They must now be able to increase their productivity, ensure the quality of their products and develop customized products.
With a 4.0 factory, you benefit from:
- Better operational efficiency, thanks to the modernization of your production equipment and maintenance operations;
- Higher output and lower production costs, by automating repetitive, low value-added tasks with industrial robots;
- Better product quality, thanks to fewer human errors.
For all these reasons, Industry 4.0 appears to be the future of production equipment. Despite its many advantages, however, this innovative approach is not without risks.
The Importance of Regulatory Compliance in Industry 4.0
The transition to Industry 4.0 must comply with current standards and regulations, and after the change, the company must still meet all regulatory requirements. Non-compliance can lead to costly fines, and even criminal prosecution. Companies that want to modernize cannot ignore regulatory compliance.
Standards, legal obligations, regulations and directives have become more numerous and more demanding in recent years. In a 4.0 factory, the volume of data stored and processed grows significantly, which makes data security a major issue. Regulatory compliance ensures that the company protects the data it stores and handles. It is a guarantee of trust for users, customers and partners.
If legislation has become so demanding, it is also to better protect consumers against substandard products. The technologies introduced as part of the move to Industry 4.0 must allow companies to maintain the quality of their products and protect consumers, and they must comply with these regulations.
In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, controlling the risks of Industry 4.0 is essential. The regulations governing the sector, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), require new machines to guarantee product sterility in order to protect patients. Read our article on the impact of the new GMP Annex 1. Non-compliance can lead to large-scale product recalls, losses, and even legal action.
Controlling the Risks of Industry 4.0
For all these reasons, it is important to identify the risks of Industry 4.0 and keep them under control.
The Risks of Industry 4.0
Many risks need to be analyzed and controlled in a 4.0 factory:
- Human risks resulting from the introduction of new production tools;
- Technical risks linked to the deployment of new technologies;
- Organizational risks caused by the use of new technologies;
- Digital risks: the company may become a prime target for various forms of cyberattack such as ransomware, phishing or denial-of-service attacks.
Risk Management Strategies for Industry 4.0
To control the risks of Industry 4.0 and take full advantage of the transformation, it is useful to establish a clear and precise roadmap:
- Technical control of the equipment: make sure you master the safety and performance of the new equipment, and keep existing machines up to standard with a retrofit and compliance upgrade;
- Including the human factor in the transition: consult your staff and train them to use the new tools, including collaborative robots that work alongside operators;
- Controlling the consequences on the organization, more specifically on maintenance, workstations, procurement, etc.;
- Preventing the risks linked to the use of new equipment: assessment and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychosocial risks.
Working With MGA Technologies for the Transition to Industry 4.0
Are you planning to move to a 4.0 factory to improve your productivity, reduce your production costs and increase your profitability? Then make MGA Technologies your partner for this project. We are a French company, recognized since 1980 for the design, manufacture and integration of custom machines and turnkey equipment for industry. We know that controlling the risks of Industry 4.0 is one of the key factors for the success of your project. By working with us, you benefit from close support for integrating new equipment, mastering its use and managing its effects on your organization and your employees. Thanks to the expertise of the MGA Technologies team, becoming a 4.0 factory will benefit both you and your employees. To learn more, see our expertise in automation and robotics.
So, whatever your industry and your business needs, choose MGA Technologies to control the risks of Industry 4.0. Contact us for more information about our services and products.
