F57: Roll Forming 4.0 – Practical Advice for Getting the Most Out of Your Roll Forming Operation Through Digital Integration

“Industry 4.0” has gotten a lot of attention over the last 10 years, but a large number of companies are still unsure of what that entails and how it would benefit their operations. In many cases, roll formers are still missing out on tools that have been around for 40+ years. The goals of this presentation are to help manufacturers: 1.) understand the tools that are available to improve the technical and financial performance of their roll forming equipment and operations, 2.) prioritize their improvement efforts to focus on areas that will have the biggest impact, and 3.) prepare for some of the implementation and operational challenges that come from an increasing reliance on automation and integration.Topics include: brief explanation of Industry 4.0 and the ongoing shift towards smart manufacturing, direct and indirect benefits of data integration, implementation recommendations and potential challenges, financial justifications, cultural considerations, KPIs and more.