ABB joins element14 in the latest podcast episode of Series 2 to discuss how companies can harness Industry 4.0 to achieve significant improvements in safety, productivity, and cost reductions.

element14 has today launched the fifth episode in its new global podcast series, The Innovation Experts. This latest instalment features ABB, one of the world’s leading technology leaders in robotics, machine automation and digitisation.

Series 2 shares the opinions of leading industry experts, uncovering the trends, challenges, products, and solutions that enable the global transition to Industry 4.0 principles and accelerate innovation in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

ABB provides detailed insights on their comprehensive digitisation program in this new episode. Over the years, ABB not only introduced new software and manufacturing systems to their existing production lines but applied this technology throughout the entire value chain to increase end-to-end transparency and visibility. ABB has continued to drive innovation by implementing advanced automation with the rollout of robots and automated guided vehicles while using sensors to capture machine-level data for processing in the cloud, making it readily accessible to authorised users around the world.

ABB’s Massimiliano Cifalitti and Fabio Monachesi share their perspectives on how Industry 4.0 is driving a technology revolution and provide real-world examples to showcase how significant improvements in safety, productivity and cost reductions can be achieved. However, they agree that it’s not just about technology. Industry 4.0 is about partnering with the right people who share a common goal to increase productivity in a way that is safe and environmentally sustainable, with corporate responsibility becoming a key pillar of the new industrial era.

Simon Meadmore, Vice President of Product and Supplier Management at element14 said: “Our latest podcast episode provides an overview of ABB’s strategy and tactics to deploy Industry 4.0 principles within their own manufacturing facilities to deliver outstanding results. ABB’s large factory in Frosinone, Italy, is regarded as a Lighthouse – a prestigious recognition granted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development to acknowledge facilities which are beacons of Industry 4.0. In this episode, our listeners will have the opportunity to learn how to achieve major improvements in productivity and efficiency, safety, waste reduction and more.”

New episodes of The Innovation Experts are released regularly and cover key topics, including smart factory design and the power of automation, how to demonstrate return on investment from Industry 4.0 and much more. All previous podcast episodes in Series 2 are now available on element14’s Technical Resources Hub, including:

• Episode 1: Upgrading to Industry 4.0 using new and existing measurements – The debut episode of the series focuses on how process and manufacturing companies can adopt Industry 4.0 principles by embracing digitisation. Omega Engineering’s Kevin Goohs discusses innovative ways to upgrade existing facility systems with critical solutions, such as sensors and new digital smart probes, to capture real-time information on the factory floor. Companies will understand edge monitoring and control, how to identify new mechanisms to deliver and analyse big data and why it’s important to run critical pilot project evaluations before committing to full system installation.

• Episode 2: Aligning sustainability, business strategy and partnerships with Industry 4.0– Schneider Electric provides an exclusive overview of the company’s innovative approach to developing new technology solutions for the IIoT, including how key learnings are passed directly onto customers. According to Mark Yeeles, Vice President Industrial Automation, UK & Ireland, the secret to advancing the adoption of Industry 4.0 is to engage strategic partners who can help create fully optimised facilities. Engineers and facility managers will be empowered to make smarter and often autonomous decisions that can streamline processes and accelerate the transformation to digital success.

• Episode 3: Integration is the gateway to unlock Industry 4.0– Advantech explains why integration is the gateway to unlocking the core principles of Industry 4.0 technology. Matt Dentino, Industrial Internet of Things Channel Manager for North America, explains how a long-standing policy of embracing open architecture has influenced the company’s approach to asset integration, energy management, digital transformation and real-time monitoring and analysis. Listeners will learn about the need for strategic business partnerships and the importance of embracing a new generation of engineers to maintain a competitive edge as Industry 4.0 supercharges the industrial world.

• Episode 4: Achieving process automation with design and analytics– Eaton showcases how companies can achieve process optimisation with innovative design and big data analytics to predict needs, inform smarter decision-making and generate new efficiencies. Alexandra Rangel, National PowerXpert Application Engineer for Eaton, uncovers the challenges and benefits for companies seeking to embrace Industry 4.0 principles and build digital factories for optimal performance. With the advancement of new technologies, Alexandra highlights the importance of having a digitisation strategy to support an organisation’s Industry 4.0 journey.

ABB is a global technology company dedicated to the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

The Innovation Experts podcast is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The final episode of Series 2 will feature Red Lion Controls.

The fifth podcast episode, featuring ABB, is available now on element14’s Technical Resources Hub.