Digital transformation | Welcome to the cyberphysical factory

A 4.0 factory, what does that mean concretely? What is she like ? To encourage Quebec SMEs in the manufacturing sector to take the leap, Investissement Québec–CRIQ has set up two cyberphysical factories, in order to make the theory… very real.

According to Lyne Dubois, vice-president at Investissement Québec–CRIQ, SMEs closed their doors during the pandemic because they failed to adapt to new challenges. The current crisis is, according to his observations, a good time to undertake the shift towards the factory of the future. “If, before the pandemic, manufacturers could continue their activities without having automated themselves, it is increasingly difficult now. There are supply issues, lack of employees, and so on. Consumer needs have also changed. They want personalized products, on time and respecting the quality-price ratio. »

Robots do not make a 4.0 factory

The Industrial Automation Companies Group (REAI) estimates that there are nearly 7,500 robots in operation in Quebec. He points out that a large majority (73%) of Quebec manufacturing companies use one form or another of automation. However, more than half of them would be slightly or marginally automated. In fact, only companies that were 50% or more automated would have radically changed their manufacturing processes. “Factories 4.0 are very rare in the province. The reasons are many: entrepreneurs lack time, lack of manpower, they are unable to transfer skills, etc. explains Lyne Dubois.

Defining and above all seeing a 4.0 factory

A 4.0 factory is not limited to the mere presence of robots. It’s about connecting the machines so that they talk to each other, but for that, they need data. “Factory 4.0 optimizes processes. She reviews the customer’s order, takes inventory of the various resources, lists the supplier, etc. It can even affect the finance department. All stages leading to the production and delivery of a product may be affected. It’s a lot, a lot of data,” explains Geneviève Lefebvre, director of digital transformation at Investissement Québec–CRIQ.

A dizzying process

The possibility of production using standardized methods, without interruption, while carefully following the production recipe is also among the advantages of Factory 4.0, but the complexity of the task can easily be overwhelming for an entrepreneur. This is the beauty of the two cyberphysical factories – one of which has been established in Quebec since 2017 and the second, in Montreal since 2021 – since they simplify the understanding of this concept. “We have a fully automated production line on site guided by an RFID system [Radio Frequency Identification]. When the system is started, the stations that allow the assembly start up by analyzing all the data they have received. Everything goes there: the production of the object, passages on the conveyor, quality control thanks to an intelligent camera, packaging… We are on site and we explain the whole concept and its management system”, says the specialist in digital transformation.

A spark plug

Nearly 1,500 people have visited the premises of Investissement Québec–CRIQ so far to see the facilities there. According to Lyne Dubois, there is no doubt that the demonstration was a trigger for many entrepreneurs and employees who were able to project themselves into their reality. “Not everything is interesting to automate, but it is an opportunity to think about it and it illustrates the world of possibilities. The training helps to clarify concepts and the famous question “where to start?” “says the vice-president.

The following ? Investissement Québec–CRIQ confirms that it has the resources to support manufacturers in their digital transformation. “We can help them prioritize projects. Manufacturers no longer have the choice of doing more with less, global competition is here to stay and labor issues are not about to be resolved,” concludes Geneviève Lefebvre.