A tangible Industry 4.0

As various automotive professionals have commented in recent months, Industry 4.0 was a reality in certain processes long before a name was found for the concept. Although it is true that these affirmations are limited to concrete cases, the interaction between the panoply of technologies spanning this philosophy is increasingly evident. Bearing in mind that the concept originated in Germany, it is no surprise that factories like the Daimler plant in Spain are already aligning their processes with this trend with the “aim of obtaining a competitive advantage,” stresses Emilio Titos, General Manager of MercedesBenz España’s Vitoria plant, in an interview with AutoRevista. The need for Industry 4.0 to permeate the industrial fabrics of extremely varied sectors is reflected in new events like Advanced Factories (held from 4–6 April in Barcelona). This forum will serve to showcase the latest developments in specialities like automation and sensor systems — a determining factor in this era of transformation — and will also feature industrial metrology, which plays an increasingly relevant role. The effects of this relentless revolution will continue to trickle down until finally reaching the repair-shop and after-sales domains, which — in some way — will bring the manufacturing world closer to this significant part of the value chain. A glimpse of what to expect will be provided at this year’s Motortec Automechanika Madrid.