Manufacturing’s Evolution: Industry 4.0 & Beyond

Before heavy machinery and automation, manufacturing was done manually. There was no automation or computers to handle the various stages of design, production, and quality control. It was all done by the available/skilled workforce.

The first major shift came during the First Industrial Revolution (Industry 1.0) in the 18th century, where, instead of items being produced by basic means, processes were invented, and machines produced items.

First Industrial Revolution (Industry 1.0)

The first industrial revolution marked a shift from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by machinery and significantly impacted industries like mining, textiles, glass, and agriculture.

Second Industrial Revolution (Industry 2.0)

The next shift in manufacturing is the period between 1871 and 1914, known as the Second Industrial Revolution (Industry 2.0).

The Second Industrial Revolution was a period of great economic growth, with increased productivity.

Third Industrial Revolution (Industry 3.0)

The important point of this phase is the mass production and widespread use of digital logic and computers, microprocessors, digital cellular phones, and the internet. The digital revolution converted technology from analog to digital format.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)

The Fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0 - is a combination of physical assets and…