Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1216587
28 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2020 2. "Using the data from our production equipment in a meaningful way." When we asked about plans to implement digital factory infrastructure, manufacturers were surprisingly unanimous (Chart 3). All of the respondents indicated that they have started/finished the transition already (one-third), or they intend to (two-thirds). While certainly not definitive industrywide, there is an indication here that manufacturers are taking an interest in smart factory capa- bilities. This corroborates Chris Jorgensen's observations (See article page 20). The top-three ranking in this audience revealed an interesting result in that answers were quite evenly distributed. The answers were so evenly distributed that we were forced to disregard the priority information and use only the aggregate response numbers. This analysis revealed one clear leader and a crowd in the sec- ond position (all responses grouped together). 1. Process monitoring and control. 2. A four-way tie between the following: a. Faster throughput b. Higher yields c. Less waste d. Higher profit margins These results would suggest that process monitoring and control, while an objective itself, is seen by respondents as a means of achieving the rest of the objectives selected. OEMs Responses from OEMs drew primarily from manufacturing roles (in the 60% range). Engineering and executive/management roles also responded to the survey, but to a lesser degree than manufacturing roles. This is in contrast to the strong showing from management and engineering from the man- ufacturers. In response to the question asking to define what "digital factory" and "Industry 4.0" meant to them, two responses stood out: 1. "Digital factory is using information for modeling in a factory. Industry 4.0 is the use of automation and connectivity to manage and optimize a factory for improved productivity." 2. "I thought it would mean that all machines would run from a platform that allows each machine to talk to another, but I have found that recent years have pulled SMT equipment manufacturers in the other direction. They have become more protective of their own data and only do Industry 4.0 within their own platforms. It's very disappointing." Chart 3: Does your company have plans to implement a digital factory infrastructure in the next two years?