5G in industry: New opportunities for production and networking
The new 5G communication standard is transforming industry by enabling unprecedented speeds for data transmission. Compared to the previous 4G/LTE standard, 5G offers significantly higher performance and bandwidth, as well as latency times in the millisecond range — essential for real-time communication.
The scope of 5G extends far beyond traditional telephony and mobile data services. 5G enables completely new industrial applications – from intelligent machine control to predictive maintenance. For the first time, 5G will enable so-called 'critical communication' via radio in real time. Applications that demand the highest levels of reliability and security will also be able to operate wirelessly and stably in future.
At the heart of this is the vision of a connected production environment in which a wide variety of machines, sensors and people communicate with each other. The aim of 5G technology is to lay the foundations for a powerful Internet of Things (IoT) and open up new avenues for companies to achieve greater automation, efficiency, and flexibility.
How the new 5G standard is transforming production
The abbreviation 5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile communications technology. 5G represents a significant technological advancement with enormous potential, particularly for industry. Compared to the 4G/LTE standard, 5G enables extremely fast and reliable data processing with peak rates of up to 20 Gbit/s. Transmission takes place partly on the same frequency bands as 4G (around 2 GHz) and partly on higher frequencies in the range of 3.4 to 3.7 GHz. These C-bands allow particularly high data rates, which is ideal for industrial 5G applications where large amounts of data must be processed in real time.
5G heralds a new era of communication
Experts regard 5G technology as pivotal for smart factories, as it enables high bandwidths, low latency, real-time capability and comprehensive availability. This allows CNC machines, systems and sensors in industrial production to be reliably networked. A notable feature of 5G is the ability to set up dedicated virtual networks that are independent of the public mobile network. These 5G campus networks can be tailored to the specific needs of their intended application. This flexibility is a key advantage of 5G applications in Industry 4.0, particularly in automated production processes and remote machine maintenance.
5G and Industry 4.0: Real-time communication is the key to the smart factory
As the manufacturing world becomes increasingly digitised, one thing is clear: 5G is crucial for progress in industry. While mobile networks were originally intended for human communication, they are now being used for machine-to-machine communication. It is predicted that the number of connected devices will soon exceed the number of human users.
The limits of classic network technologies: Why 5G is necessary for industry
Current network standards, such as 4G, are reaching their limits in terms of short response times (latency), high data rates and high user and device density. Industrial processes that demand high response speeds and reliability require a powerful network. This is where 5G technology comes in. It is a key factor in achieving a competitive advantage in Industry 4.0, enabling stable, highly available and low-latency communication.
5G in industry: From smart factories to predictive maintenance
The new 5G standard is opening up a world of possibilities for industry. The concept of the smart factory is becoming increasingly reality-based, with autonomous transport systems, networked production lines and real-time monitoring. Thanks to its high bandwidth and network stability, 5G technology meets the real-time communication requirements necessary for this. The 5G network allows industrial companies to implement the Internet of Things (IoT). Machines can exchange information via IoT platforms, automatically detect malfunctions and trigger maintenance processes before errors occur. Predictive maintenance is one of the key application scenarios for 5G in industry. The same applies to edge computing, which facilitates the real-time integration of IoT data and is therefore ideal for time-critical manufacturing applications.
Opportunities and challenges of the 5G network expansion
The nationwide rollout of 5G is underway. Many companies are already using campus networks to access the benefits of 5G on a location-specific and individual basis. However, one thing is clear: integrating the new 5G mobile communications standard into existing infrastructures requires more than just technology. A holistic approach to IT, production and security is needed.
DMG MORI and 5G technology: Pioneers of networked production
Industrial digitization is one of the key areas of innovation for the machine tool manufacturer DMG MORI. As a technology leader, DMG MORI provides comprehensive support for digital transformation along the entire value chain. DMG MORI is paving the way for future-proof, smart manufacturing with its digital products and integrated automation solutions.
Practice meets future: DMG MORI's pilot projects for 5G industrial applications
DMG MORI is testing specific 5G applications for industry in pilot projects at its Iga site in Japan and at its Tokyo headquarters. There, the integration of 5G technology into the industrial production process is being investigated in a specially equipped test environment.
A pilot project at DMG MORI: The new “AI Chip Removal” technology uses AI and cameras to monitor the location and quantity of chips inside the machine tool. It automatically calculates cleaning paths, significantly increasing the efficiency of machine cleaning. Large amounts of sensor data are collected and processed in real time via the 5G network at two locations.
Using 5G allows DMG MORI to record and analyze the operating status of machines with greater precision. The 5G network's high data rate and extremely low latency enable unprecedented real-time transparency in the production process. DMG MORI is positioning itself as a pioneer of 5G technology by offering innovative solutions like these and actively shaping the future of digitally networked manufacturing.