INTI launches 'small-scale' smart factory, the only one of its kind in Latin America

This is an automated translation of the original release published in Spanish.

From the National Institute of Industrial Technology

The digital transformation has not only altered social interactions, but also forms of production. Practices such as personalization and tracking of online purchases have become common. In this context, INTI incorporated SIF-400 teaching equipment, which emulates an automated smart factory, to support companies in their process of adaptation to the new production paradigm of Industry 4.0.

The smart factory, also known as "learning factory", is equipped with two robotic arms, one industrial type and one cobot; 13 assembly, production and logistics stations; touchscreens and other elements. In addition, it has 4.0 management software to control and monitor the system both locally and remotely.

The equipment allows the placement of pallets with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, to remotely control what happens within each station. It has a fault detection program that makes it easy for users to identify errors and find solutions.

Alejandrina Vigna, head of the Technical Directorate of Digital Transformation at INTI, highlights that the team is already operational and available for all companies interested in entering Industry 4.0. In addition, he anticipates that during the coming months, the institute will offer a "Training Program in industry 4.0", aimed at company leaders who wish to train and carry out internships in the facilities of the new factory located in the Miguelete Technology Park.

The Learning Factory will also be incorporated into university teaching through the Institute of Industrial Quality (INCALIN), in undergraduate and postgraduate classes and in the "Industry 4.0 and Enabling Technologies" Diploma. INCALIN is a university institute agreed upon between INTI and UNSAM. Héctor Laiz, dean of INCALIN, highlighted the importance of training engineers and specialists prepared for this paradigm shift and highlighted the growing interest in this training on the part of students.

Through the “INTI Industry 4.0 Network” that currently operates in all regions of the country, the dissemination and transfer of these technologies to industries will be promoted.

This project represents a milestone in the efforts of INTI and INCALIN to facilitate digital transformation and adapt productive sectors from their base to their management and quality control processes. Collaboration between universities, the State and companies is essential to jointly address the challenges of the new Industry 4.0 paradigm.