Subcon
research carried out earlier this year seemed to reveal that more than half of
UK manufacturing and engineering businesses still don’t know what Industry 4.0
is.
When
asked if they understood what Industry 4.0 is, more than one third (37%) answered
no. A further 19% admitted they were unsure and less than one quarter were
definite they had a handle on the concept.
Ignorance and
investment plans?
However,
the survey also showed that, even without high levels of confidence in their
understanding of Industry 4.0, UK manufacturers and engineering businesses have
been investing in the technologies associated with the fourth industrial revolution
over the last 12 months, regardless; technologies including simulation,
automation, robotics and 3D printing are dominating manufacturing investment
plans.
• 46% have invested in simulation
and CAD modelling technologies
• 36% have invested in automation
and robotics
• 28% have invested in 3D printing
• 23% have invested in
cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things
And,
looking ahead to the next year, respondents plan to invest even more with, for
example, over a third keen to spend money on automation and robotics;
investment that is being driven by the competitive issues of new product
development and improving design and production processes.
• 34% plan on investing in automation
and robotics
• 27% plan on investing in
simulation and modelling
• 24% plan on investing in 3D
printing
“This
research is fascinating,” commented Subcon event director Gordon Kirk, “because
it begs the question, ‘do UK engineering and manufacturing businesses understand
the benefits of Industry 4.0 even though the term is proving tricky to grasp?’”
You can view the full survey results at http://www.subconshow.co.uk/visiting/show-news/2018/03/29/ignorance-4.0-uk-manufacturing-and-engineering-competitiveness-at-risk-from-lack-of-knowledge
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