Mobile providers China Unicom and Huawei have been supporting the Baoding Automation Technology Branch of Exquisite Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (EA) to introduce a flexible production line powered by 5G technologies with high reliability and low latency.
At Great Wall Motor’s factory in Baoding, Hebei, the car-roof production line has seen the introduction of 5G network technology to replace wired networks and improve response times.
The company has reported 60 hours of downtime per year due to wire abrasion in mobile applications such as robotic arms or swivelling tables, which it hopes to reduce or completely eliminate using 5G.
Due to high levels of reliability and ultra-low latency, 5G-advanced networks are well-suited to high-end core manufacturing processes that require rapid response speeds.
Fan Ji’an, chief big data scientist of China Unicom, said: “Powered by 5G-Advanced, industrial applications are moving from auxiliary production to core production systems.
“We are seeing more typical 5G-Advanced applications appear in key scenarios, further driving the manufacturing industry to go digital.”
“We are willing to work with all sectors to create new momentum for innovation, and promote high-quality development by integrating the digital and real economies.”
Read more: 5G-enabled robot used to complete surgery from distance of 350 miles
Compared to wired networks, the 5G technologies are easier to deploy and more flexible, while also boosting efficiency by integrating multiple functions, such as data collection (IT) and industrial control (OT) functions.
By embedding smart manufacturing capabilities, the companies hopes to contribute to the transformation and upgrade of the broader manufacturing industry.
Today, many countries view industrial digital transformation as a new driver of economic growth. Therefore, they are striving to make manufacturing increasingly digital, connected, and intelligent. Digital operation capabilities are now a must for manufacturing enterprises, and flexible smart manufacturing is continuously gaining traction.
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