Hybrid computing systems in Industry 4.0

Mace Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of conveyers, roof loaders, elevators, hoists and soil and aggregate screeners for the construction industry. These products were designed by the company to fill a need for a faster, simpler and less labour intensive way to get tiles to scaffolding at roof level – avoiding potentially dangerous ladder work.

When a company decides to go ahead with the digitization of its processes, it tends to be aiming for greater visibility, traceability and optimization, which generally implies improvements in efficiency and decision-making.

Until not very long ago, machines were totally dependent on orders from people. They were not autonomous and did not communicate amongst themselves, slowing production and thereby also making them more vulnerable to manual operating errors. Now, in the era of smart & digital factories, MES (manufacturing execution systems) continue to be the backbone that control and oversee everything occurring inside the plant, but they have now moved up a category, revolutionizing management and production.