Manufacturing Magazine May 2020 | Page 62

SMART MANUFACTURING

62 ous vehicles or machinery . Using technology to warn of approaching vehicles in the often-noisy environment of a factory floor can help to avoid collisions which would otherwise have resulted in injuries . In other instances , IoT devices can be used to minimise workers sustaining injuries by using machinery for which they are not qualified or authorised . Here , there is technology that can verify the worker ’ s identity and whether or not they should be undertaking specific tasks . Implementing IoT solutions to these problems completely changes the liability profile for the company . In case of an emergency at a manufacturing plant that would demand an evacuation , the very same devices can track the workers ’ location allowing for quick accounting of staff whereabouts , making everyone safer when it matters the most . Small innovations like these make production environments safer places whilst reducing costs .

The digital transformation of manufacturing through IoT does not necessarily have to be complicated or discouraging . It is simply a matter of introducing

MAY 2020