When history books cite the ‘industrial revolution’, they typically refer to the great improvement of productivity as workers gathered in factories to utilize mechanization using water and steam power. However, there have been subsequent improvements, with the second step change in productivity coming from the adoption of the assembly line and mass production. The adoption of computers and robotics was the next significant improvement, referred to as ‘Industry 3.0’. Manufacturing is now on the cusp of another substantial enhancement in productivity, as greater digitization and adoption of machine learning, AI, and wireless connectivity enable computers to continuously monitor multiple aspects of production and optimize processes accordingly. This transition is described as ‘Industry 4.0’

To download the Factory of the Future PDF, you must register as a member of Printed Circuit University and be logged in.