Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Manufacturing Automation

Industrial end-devices like automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are being used on 5G networks. Indeed, the mobility management, coverage, and quality of service assurance of 5G networks provides the reliable communication needed for numerous types of automated guided vehicles. These AGVs include tractors, pallet movers and forklifts. For example, 5G can help forklifts more efficiently move around the factory floor, in an automated manner.

Remote Robotic Control

5G plays a major role in connecting production line robotics by providing:

• Connectivity for robotics, removing the need for fiber and cable tethering
• Live remote monitoring of video streams from robotics
• Low latency-enabled remote-control applications

Ericsson is using its expertise in networking and equipment to help manufacturing enterprises leverage new use cases that are enabled by 5G technology and shift their business to Industry 4.0. Globally, there are 10 million industrial & manufacturing sites and 3 million warehouses that require connectivity where the latency, speeds, and reliability achieved with 5G technology is necessary.

Additionally, 94% of the industrial devices within these manufacturing facilities are wired and expensively retrofitted on equipment. In turn, these wired connections do not allow for the optimal use of data to improve manufacturing processes and automation. By combining manufacturing with 5G technology, Ericsson is enabling what is known as Industry 4.0, whereby traditional manufacturing and industrial processes are automated.

Manufacturing (Industry 4.0) – 5G Use Cases

Broadly, Ericsson identifies four distinct types of manufacturing use cases for which 5G can provide services. Specifically, these functions include:

• Indoor Coverage
  Providing indoor connectivity to manufacturing facilities, with a high-degree of reliability and in an undisturbed way.
• Agile Networks
  Utilizing existing manufacturing networks and building use case-driven extensions on the networks, in the most cost-efficient manner.
• Condition Monitoring
  Monitors manufacturing conditions for the purpose of inventory management, predictive maintenance, outage management, quality assurance, and increased operational efficiency.
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
  The mobility management, coverage, and quality of service assurance of 5G networks provides the reliable communication needed for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). Specifically, Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) applications include tractors, pallet movers, and forklifts. For example, 5G networks can facilitate automation by helping forklifts more efficiently move around the factory floor.