Since the start of the digital age, businesses have begun leveraging a new resource — data. Today, organisations generate more data than ever, and technology has evolved to maximise its benefits and uses. 

In the manufacturing industry, innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud connectivity, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have fundamentally changed how businesses design, develop and distribute their products and production lines. This change, as well as the many other new technologies the last decades have brought, is called Industry 4.0, and it enables manufacturers to scale their operations and capture value at an unprecedented scale. 

After showcasing the benefits of Industry 4.0 in the woodworking industry, we will now focus on the most common barriers businesses face when digitalising their workflows. As in the previous article, we'll also present the solutions created by HOMAG in collaboration with our own tech specialists. 

How HOMAG solves the challenges of digitalisation 

On a macro scale, it's easy to see how embracing Industry 4.0 benefits the manufacturing industry. The efficiency, cost and waste reduction are significant advantages. However, from a single organisation's perspective, plenty of doubts and roadblocks can make woodworkers reluctant to modernise. 

Financial concerns

The return on investment (ROI) of digitalisation is the first challenge for many businesses, especially small and midsized ones. After all, digitalising the whole production line or several locations at the same time can be costly and hard to justify without solid proof of their value. 

That's why two of HOMAG's design principles, which we completely agree with, are modularity and one-size-fits-all solutions. When the software can be integrated into any hardware, the price of modernisation drops substantially, as the business doesn't need to invest in new machinery. The same idea applies to interfaces. By building web solutions, HOMAG enables woodworkers to use their applications from any device with an internet browser. 

Regardless of the specific context of your business, taking the first step towards Industry 4.0 is simple, and the next steps only get easier. 

Compatibility with existing infrastructure 

Building on the previous point — cost is not the only concern, but also disruption to business as usual due to the need for new equipment.  The solution to this challenge is twofold. Firstly, the applications are designed to work with existing equipment, meaning they don't fundamentally change machining processes. It simply increases efficiency and ease of use.  Our favourite example is intelliDivide Cutting, the software for optimal cutting patterns. The application: 

• works with all HOMAG saws; 

• uses a single license for all employees so any of them can access the solution via any web browser; 

• includes a material management system, encouraging woodworkers to digitalise larger parts of their workflow with no added effort. 

Secondly, to make software sets easy to integrate and minimise disruption, we have the HOMAG CUBE, which acts as the communication node between all components in the digital workshop. With a single piece of hardware connecting daily processes and innovative software, it's easier than ever for woodworkers to install and use their personal digital assistant.

Skill gaps

Lastly, it's not hard to imagine how master woodworkers or joiners, who have honed their skills over the years, may be reluctant to integrate new software, especially if they're not very technologically inclined.  Training and education on integrating and using Industry 4.0 solutions are just as necessary as the software itself. That's why HOMAG created a learning platform that offers: 

• online classes, live in virtual training rooms; 

• study materials, available anywhere and at any time; 

• classroom training at one of HOMAG Academy's locations in 19 countries or even at the trainees' headquarters. 

 This dedication to knowledge sharing is crucial in making innovation as accessible as possible in the woodworking industry.  

Making Industry 4.0 more approachable 

The software HOMAG envisioned and our strong tech teams helped create are a testament to the fact that Industry 4.0 shouldn't be viewed as some distant, futuristic image. Instead, it's built on sound principles and innovative technology applied to existing workflows. 

We are proud of the collaboration with HOMAG and the meaningful impact our solutions have on the way we live, work, and do business.