The internet is so wide-reaching and vital in today’s world that there’s even a term used to describe the range of devices, like smartphones and watches, connected to an online network: the Internet of Things (IoT). But did you know there’s even more to that? It’s called the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Read on to learn more about the IIoT, its history, and the benefits it can provide to the rubber industry.
About the Industrial Internet of Things
So, what is the IIoT? It’s the use of the IoT, but in the manufacturing field. This means more than just machines transmitting and collecting data; rather, it combines smart machines with analytics to capture information in real time and inform accurate, faster business decisions.
To retain all this data and improve business growth, the IIoT relies on multiple technologies. Machine sensors identify environmental conditions such as humidity and fluid levels to provide users with information to analyze. Networks like 5G and Wi-Fi offer sufficient bandwidth for large amounts of data. Cloud-based memory permits any machines or devices connected to it the ability to access data.
A Brief History of the Industrial Internet of Things
The IIoT has its roots in the late 1960s when Richard E. Morley invented a programmable logic controller (PLC) for General Motors. The PLC helped the company control individual elements in the manufacturing process. Then in the early 1980s, a Coca-Cola vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University became the first appliance to be connected with the Internet, allowing its inventory and beverage temperatures to be remotely monitored.
Over the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st, different aspects of the IIoT developed into widespread usage, like cloud-based computing and embedded systems (which perform a singular function within a large device or product). In the 2010s specifically, as sensors dropped in cost and 5G networks opened, the IIoT usage rose. By 2030, the consulting company Accenture projects the IIoT will add $14.2 trillion to the global economy.
Benefits of the IIoT in the Rubber Industry
The IIoT can be highly beneficial for the rubber industry. For one, placing sensors on machines used for production lines provides analytics on how well the equipment is performing. This offers the ability to optimize machines and methods, increasing efficiency. Through their ability to identify environmental conditions and analyze patterns, sensors can inform users as to when machines may fail, leading to preventative maintenance and a reduction in downtime.
Supply chains are another area where the IIoT benefits. Using analytics, companies can determine the most effective transportation routes to reduce wasted time and improve logistics; monitor which types of materials or items are frequently used during the manufacturing process for inventory optimization; and plan for future orders with increased accuracy.
It won’t take until 2030 to value the impact and growth of the IIoT in the world and the rubber landscape. Advancements are being made every day, from the technology you wear on your wrist to measure your health, to the sensors on manufacturing machines helping to improve the products they create for their customers.
What do you think about the current state of the IIoT? Talk to us on our X! And to get in touch with our skilled engineers for your next project, contact us.