What is Smart Manufacturing?

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Apr 16

The term ‘smart manufacturing’ might seem modern, but it's not as new as you might think. According to data from the Google Books Ngram Viewer, which shows how often phrases appear in books, "smart manufacturing" was talked about more in the 1820s than it was up until the mid-1990s. But then in the mid-2010s, the term started to take off. Why?

Industry 4.0: The term "smart manufacturing" gained prominence with the rise of ‘Industrie 4.0’, a term first introduced in Germany in 2011. Industry 4.0 represents the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the integration of many new technologies into the manufacturing process.
Rise of Information Technology: The groundwork for smart manufacturing was laid with the advancements in IT and automation during the 1970s and 1980s, marking a significant shift towards more integrated and intelligent manufacturing systems.
Advancements in Standardization (2010-2014): By 2010, the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) was instrumental in shaping the future of smart manufacturing by convening over 50 industry leaders. The initiative aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of smart manufacturing’s potential. In Germany, the release of the DKE/DIN Industrie 4.0 German Standardization Roadmap Version 1.0 in 2014 highlighted the essential role of standardization in integrating technical and business processes, promoting the digital twin concept, and enhancing the use of the Internet within industrial operations.
Acceleration of Smart Manufacturing (2010-2106): Early adopting manufacturers in the U.S. were progressing with smart manufacturing implementations, focusing on the seamless integration of IIoT, smart machines, and advanced analytics. During this time, industry coalitions like the Manufacturing Enterprise Systems Association (MESA) and the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) played pivotal roles in facilitating this integration, documenting the progress and establishing practices that highlight the shift towards technology-driven, innovative manufacturing solutions.
Institutional Support and Global Adoption (2016-Present): The establishment of CESMII in 2016 marked a significant step in the U.S. to streamline the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies. This initiative, alongside global movements, aimed to democratize these technologies, making them more accessible and paving the way for widespread adoption.