2021 marks ten years of the concept of Industry 4.0 – the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The term, which first appeared in 2011 at the Hannover fair in Germany, characterizes the digitalization of industrial activities and the integration of various technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence and robotics. advanced technology, in order to make processes even more efficient, flexible and autonomous.
In agribusiness, digital transformation is already a reality both in the field and in the machinery industries. AGCO aligns itself with this strong movement through its vision to be a trusted partner and leader in smart solutions for the agricultural sector, with a self-guided process, from raw materials to the end customer.
There are five fundamental dimensions to be developed for the business evolution towards Industry 4.0 – also known as the 5 Smarts. At the heart of Industry 4.0 is the Smart manufacturing, a set of advanced digital technologies applied to the factory floor that, with real-time integration and connection, allow significant gains in efficiency and productivity. AGCO has cutting-edge solutions for collecting, monitoring, controlling and optimizing industrial data, stored in the cloud, promoting greater agility and assertiveness in making strategic business decisions.
Still within Smart manufacturing, the company has autonomous technologies for transporting materials, such as self-guided vehicles (AGV’s) and collaborative robots (Cobots), which work side by side with employees in a safe and synergistic way. Alternative manufacturing technologies, such as Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), have also been gaining ground in the segment, both in the production of tools and devices for the process, and in the printing of final parts for tractors and products in other categories.
The second dimension of Industry 4.0 is the Smart Working, encompassing tools that integrate workers into digital environments. Smart Glasses and others smart devices start to replace pencil and paper when performing routine tasks, such as inspections and checklists. Training and work instructions in virtual and augmented reality environments make employee training even more robust. Process simulation tools make it possible to build “digital twins” and carry out studies, tests and optimizations in virtual environments, fed by real-world data. Furthermore, smart work breaks down previously existing physical barriers, promoting integration between employees and workflows, regardless of location.
O Smart Supply Chain, third dimension, contemplates horizontal integration and digital connection between producers, manufacturers, distributors, traders and end customers, through logistical monitoring and tracking technologies and customer service, from the raw material that is destined for the factory, to the final product on its way to the consumer.
The fourth dimension deals with the Smart Product-Service Systems, an intelligent business model that offers integrated product and service solutions, in order to maximize customer satisfaction in their experiences. Currently, AGCO's portfolio goes beyond its high-performance agricultural machines: with the Precision Planting and the Fuse® platform, we offer farmers high-tech solutions to reach new levels of productivity and efficiency, while preserving resources for future generations, from the planting and cultivation stages, to harvesting and storage.
When it comes to resource preservation, we enter the fifth and final dimension: Smart Consumption, which covers responsible forms of consumption in a world increasingly attentive to sustainability and focused on the circular economy, based on the reduction of waste throughout the entire life cycle of products, and the practices of reducing, reusing, recycling and sharing.
In short, what ten years ago appeared as a new concept is now a fundamental part of the strategy of companies that seek positive results and prominence in their fields of activity in the short, medium and long term. In agribusiness, it couldn't be any different: AGCO is committed to digital transformation throughout the entire cycle of its operations, from interfaces with its suppliers, to manufacturing processes, to relationships with dealerships and end customers. The journey towards Industry 4.0 is extremely challenging and dynamic, as new solutions and technologies emerge to leverage each of its fundamental dimensions. May we continue on this path so that the next decade is even more transformative!
Pedro Hilzendeger, Smart Manufacturing process engineer at AGCO South America
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With a unique design, the Maestro Evolution 36.50 seeder, from Horsch, surprises with the precision of its dosing systems and the technology used in each element of the seed deposition lines.
