DECEMBER 20228MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSIN MY OPINIONData is becoming all the more relevant in all parts of the daily business. In SKF data plays a major role also in manufacturing, allowing all parts of the manufacturing process to be linked, from engineering to the customer. Here Patrik Dahlman, SKF Director Manufacturing & Process Development shares how SKF is modernising its process for a smart manufacturing.The SKF super-precision app enables users to access relevant data simply by scanning a QR code. Unique data for the specific bearing and its configurations are all there, including when and where a bearing was manufactured. It's a neat example of the impact data is having on modern manufacturing, where the data needed to simplify the customers', business is easily available.The super-precision app ­ and other applications like it - are enabling SKF to share and gather data on a scale like never before. Solutions like these are vital tools in the construction of what we call the digital thread. Digital thread for SKF in manufacturing is to be considered in two ways. The vertical integration which brings data from the infrastructure through controls systems and all the way to ERP systems, where the main purpose is to get the data and use it to control and improve manufacturing operations. This vertical integration is then connected to the horizontal integration which creates a connection of the entire value chain from engineering, through suppliers, manufacturing and distribution to the customer. It enables data to be matched all the way from the engineering process through to manufacturing, the customer and then all the way back again. The data is elevating our understanding of SKF customer's applications, which in turn enables us to greatly improve our design and processes to create optimised solutions. Connecting data at the customer application delivers insights into variations of factors like rotation or heat, creating understanding that enables us to deliver application specific products to our customers, faster and with increased value. The digital thread enables more insights, e.g., SKF is collecting the data throughout the value chain to create a complete transparency of the entire supply chain. The entry point to this traceability is the marking on the bearing itself. Our customers can obtain a forensic understanding of their products, including their tolerances, mounting instructions, pairing recommendations and much more.These applications are successes in a broader SKF strategy to implement intelligent manufacturing at scale. Of course, the data itself is not valuable until it is used to create insights, which SKF is doing by using pilots to better understand what's possible. SKF is investing heavily in digital transformation of our manufacturing sites. Already now highly advanced factories are in place, some examples are in Airasca and Cassino, where By Patrik Dahlman, Director Group Manufacturing Development, SKF GroupLEVERAGING DATA TO IMPROVE OPERATIONSPatrik Dahlman
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