Industry 4.0

Innovation

Predictive maintenance: increasing OEE with AI

In times of increasing competition, cost pressures and a shortage of skilled labour, the highest possible overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is more important than ever in order to be successful on the market. Fortunately, there is a solution to increase effectiveness: predictive maintenance. Taking cylinders as an example, find out now how you can use predictive maintenance to increase key figures such as OEE, thus ensuring your long-term success.

Innovation

AI in industry: what you need to look out for

How do you think artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in industry? And what are the aspects that you think should be taken into account when implementing AI? In this article, we explain why it is worth using AI and what you need to look out for in the process; we will also provide you with real-life examples and a step-by-step guide. Find out whether you should develop an AI solution yourself or purchase one in our make or buy guide.

Innovation

Efficient maintenance management with a CMMS

A Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) can be critical for an efficient maintenance team in a production-oriented environment to ensure smooth operations and minimise downtime.

Innovation

Optimise maintenance: tips for maintenance staff

You face many challenges every day. You plan and carry out maintenance work. You also document it and fix errors. There are many different and demanding requirements. Frequent sticking points are, in particular, activities that are repeated over and over again, and how to make the best use of past problems. Every unnecessary action, every missed piece of information leads to downtime and production losses. These do not go down well with management. The good news is that this can be done better – with a digital maintenance manager.

Innovation

Spare parts, incident and maintenance management

Efficiency is the key to success in industrial maintenance. Machine standstills and downtimes are frustrating and costly. They also have a significant impact on the entire business. Just one hour of unplanned machine downtime at a manufacturing company can result in a loss of around EUR 220,000. In addition, costs are incurred when the fault needs to be investigated and identified.

Innovation

How to improve maintenance KPIs with CMMS

Maintenance KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) play an important role in evaluating the performance and efficiency of maintenance processes. A Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a tool that offers ways of improving these KPIs and optimising maintenance performance. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of a CMMS in terms of improving maintenance KPIs (MTBF/MTTR/OEE) and explain how it can help you achieve your goals.

In practice

The art of making kitchens

It was not by chance that nobilia became Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer. So, what is its recipe for success? Efficient kitchen unit production on highly automated assembly systems, many of which are supplied by Hüttenhölscher and use Festo automation products – equipped with IO-Link® – to improve flexibility and availability.

Innovation

Through the eyes of the future

You wear glasses so you can see better. You wear augmented-reality glasses so you can see more. These new spectacles enhance the surroundings with computer-aided information. Technologies with augmented reality (AR) make it possible to look at everyday situations as well as the working world of the future in a different way.

In practice

Breaking ranks

Many users of mill-turn centres from Stama are reporting time savings of up to 70% and unit cost reductions of 50%. This is all thanks to the high flexibility of the machines and their virtually negligible setup times. The integrated automation solution from Festo for loading and unloading the workpieces as well as the tool changer in the additional magazine contribute to this success.

Insights

Training rooms in the factory

Education, knowledge and individual learning are an integral part of the Festo corporate culture. The training factory at the Scharnhausen Technology Plant is incorporated directly in production and thus bridges the gap between practical learning in the workplace and theoretical learning in the training centre. Think tanks also provide a platform for cooperative technology and product development.

Insights

10 to the power of 40 variations

Whether it is a batch size of one or an annual production volume of 2.5 million, the new Festo Scharnhausen Technology Plant shows how flexibility and speed go hand in hand. Industry 4.0 has been implemented wherever possible. Thanks to the synergy between manual production and modular assembly lines, the plant can produce 10 to the power of 40 product variations.