What does IoT stand for?
IoT stands for Internet of Things. It means everyday objects with a small sensor and a network connection, such as a smart electricity meter, a fitness watch, or a truck that reports its own faults. When the objects are factory machines, it is called Industrial IoT, or IIoT.
How does IIoT work in a factory?
Think of a fitness watch for every machine. It tracks whether the machine is working, resting or stopped, counts what it makes, and tells you when something is wrong. In practice there are four parts:
- A signal. The machine gives off information, such as running or stopped, a part count, or electric current.
- A gateway. A small box on the floor collects the signals from many machines.
- Software. A dashboard turns the signals into live status, OEE and reports.
- Alerts. The right person is told on their phone when something needs attention.
What does it look like on one machine?
These numbers are an example, to show the idea. One CNC machine, one 8-hour shift. Without IIoT, nobody knows how the shift really went. With IIoT, the dashboard shows it by the minute:
| Running | 5 h 00 min |
| Idle | 2 h 30 min |
| Stopped (alarm or breakdown) | 0 h 30 min |
| Biggest idle reason | Waiting for material: 60 min |
| Next reasons | Setup: 50 min · No operator: 40 min |
Now the owner knows where to act first: material flow, not the machine. That is the whole idea of IIoT.
What can a factory do with IIoT?
- See which machines are running, idle or stopped, live.
- Find out why machines stop, and which reason costs the most.
- Measure OEE, a score for how well each machine is used. See What is OEE?
- Get a warning before a machine or tool fails.
- Keep a record of every part for audits and customers.
- Cut paper sheets and manual counting.
- Measure the energy used per part.
Do I need new machines for IIoT?
No. Older machines can be connected too. This is called retrofitting. A small box reads simple signals from the machine, such as an on/off signal or the electric current it draws, so a 20-year-old machine can show up on the same screen as a new one. See how it works for old and new machines.
How do I start, and what does it cost?
Start small. Connect your slowest or busiest machines, measure idle time for a few weeks, and see what you find. Then decide whether to connect the rest. Prices differ between providers, so ask whether the price is per machine, per month or one-off, and what hardware is included. The ROI calculator gives a first estimate of what idle time costs you.
Industry 4.0, smart factory and IIoT: are they the same?
They are closely related. Industry 4.0 is the name for the idea of connected, data-driven factories. A smart factory is a factory that works this way. IIoT is the technology that makes it possible: sensors, networks and software.
What next?
See what IIoT would show on your own machines: book a free diagnostic, or read about Yantra Pulse, Yantra TraceGuard and Smart Buddy.