Buzzwords of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Manufacturing

The term “Fourth Industrial Revolution” also known as Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth wave of industrial revolution characterised by the fusing of computation, networking

and physical (cyber-physical) algorithms that are controlled or monitored by computer-based systems closely integrated with the internet and its users. This glossary of terms provide definitions of the emerging manufacturing processes and practices in the Industry 4.0 discourse. 3D – Printing/ Additive Manufacturing

is a production “process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually, layer by layer using Computer-aided Design models, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies, such as traditional machining”.

Cloud Computing

“a model for enabling abundant, convenient and on demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

Internet of Things

is an umbrella term for a broad range of technologies and services characterised by the interconnection of physical devices, vehicles and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to collect and exchange data.

Artificial Intelligence

is the branch computer science that deals with simulation of human intelligence (speed recognition, learning and problem solving) and optimise the processes of production by offering new ways to drive efficiencies, engage customers, and develop new business with greater insights.

C o mpos i t e s

are materials comprised of two or more components with significantly different physical or chemical properties, that when combined, produce a material that behaves differently from the i ndividual components.

Robotics

is the integration of mechanical, electrical engineering and computer science to design, construct, operate, and apply robots. It also includes computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing where a robot is a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.

Automation

is the use of various control systems, such as computers or robots, and information technologies for operating equipment such as machinery and mechanised production processes in factories with minimal or reduced direct human intervention.

Cybersecurity

is the protection of computers, networks, programs and data from unauthorized access or attacks that are aimed for exploitation.

Big Data/ and Big Data Analytics

is the process of examining large and varied data sets to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends, customer preferences and other useful information that can help organizations make more-informed business decisions.

Smart Factory

is a fully-integrated, collaborative manufacturing systems that respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory, in the supply network, and in customer needs.

Digital Manufacturing

is the use of capital intensive and sophisticated computer-based systems to improve product design and reduce the time and cost of manufacturing by integrating and using data from design, production, and product use; digitizing manufacturing operations to improve product, process, and enterprise performance, and tools for modelling and advanced analytics, throughout the product life cycle.