Industry 4.0 technologies in a brazilian furniture industry

The objective of this study is to analyze the technical feasibility of adopting I4.0 technologies in a large furniture industry located in the southern region of Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Strategy research is a single case study, qualitative approach, collecting empirical data through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and a documental survey submitted to content analysis.

Findings

Results evidenced that technologies I4.0 were considered technically viable for adoption in the company, and some of these technologies have already been adopted in some of its operations, such as IoT, big data, Cyber-physical Systems (CPS), Additive Manufacturing (AM)/3D printing, cloud computing, and vertical integration. On the other hand, RFID, collaborative robots, digital twins, augmented reality, and AI present technical feasibility but have not yet been adopted.

Research limitations/implication

The limitation of the research stems from the strategy option for the case study, which restricts the possibility of generalizing the results obtained.

Practical implications

The results of the study provide a review of the operational processes of the furniture industry, with the aim of identifying industry 4.0 technologies that can be adopted from the perspective of cost-benefit ratio.

Originality/value

The increasing integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the industrial segment enables a new industrial era. However, furniture manufacturing is in the initial stages of adopting these technologies. The study addresses a topic that still represents a taboo in the corporate environment of the industrial sector in question and therefore offers elements for debate.

Technical feasibility; Technologies I4.0; Furniture industry; Brazil

Categories	Main authors
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	AI	IoT	Big Data	AM/3D	Rfid	Robot	CPS	Cloud Comp.	Dig. Twins	Intelig. Firm	Vert.+Horiz Integr.	AR
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4
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Technologies	Benefits generated by these technologies - interviews	Benefits generated by these technologies – observation and documental research
AI	Assistance and resolution of complex problems, making more assertive decisions.	Greater efficiency and effectiveness of production and administrative processes, reduction of inconsistent information, monitoring and information in real time.
IoT	Real-time information, more agile decisions, greater vertical and horizontal integration.	Monitoring of multiple machines, flexibility in management and decision making.
Big Data	More accurate information and updates, more assertive decisions.	Greater volume of data in all spheres, generating more information, integration, precision, efficiency and effectiveness throughout the chain.
AM/3D	Making molds, prototypes, production of components for products and maintenance.	Same perception of the interviewees.
RFID	Automatic production controls and inventory management.	Reduction of errors, operational costs, information in real time, agility in decision making, tracking throughout the chain.
Collaborative robots	Reduction of errors and increase of efficiency in processes such as supply and shortage of machines, etc.	Assembly of products in the final processes of furniture and upholstery, reduction of occupational health problems, reduction of operational costs.
CPS	Process controls, real-time information, reduction of manual controls.	Greater efficiency, quality, reduction of operating costs, integration of production and management processes, more assertive and agile decision making.
Cloud computing	Sharing of information/instructions according to the degree of responsibility.	Reduction of internal storage costs such as servers and labor.
Digital twins	Simulate processes, monitor equipment, test and validate products, inspection, product assembly instructions.	Increase production efficiency, lead time reduction, identify bottlenecks, early management.
Inteligent firm	Precise controls and automatic process for sofa production.	Operational cost reduction, efficiency increase, quality increase, lead time reduction, accurate and real-time information, integration.
AR	Sales by the commercial, training in production and maintenance areas.	Cost reduction in the printing of work instructions, production instructions for prototypes and pilot batches, increased efficiency in maintenance work.
horizontal and vertical integration	Greater vertical integration between purchases, ppcp and warehouse, reduce sending emails, calls and consultations in spreadsheets.	Agility in obtaining information and decision-making, reduction of operation management costs, suppliers, customers, administrative and productive process updated in real time or close to it.

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E-mail: rea@ufsm.br

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[1] Conflict of Interest

The authors have stated that there is no conflict of interest.