NCMS Blog

The term “Industry 4.0”, introduced in 2011, denotes the fourth industrial revolution, the digital transformation of manufacturing through advancements in cyber-physical systems. And whereas Industry 4.0 focuses on machine optimization and automation, Industry 5.0, which began emerging around 2020, centers on synthesizing the best capabilities of manufacturing machines and human workers. NCMS continues to work with industry and government partners to integrate Industry 4.0 and 5.0 best practices to benefit the warfighter and the public good. Some recent initiatives show how CTMA projects are being utilized to adopt a wide range of transformative technologies.

• A current CTMA initiative is employing semi-autonomous, heterogenous robotics system to accelerate the repair of large castings and forgings. This platform features wire-arc additive manufacturing, automated machining, and radiographic inspection capabilities for aerospace aluminum alloys.
• An ongoing CTMA project is designed to utilize IoT-enabled hardware and automation to accelerate the sustainment of large casings and forgings for components on Navy vessels.
• NCMS and industry partners have worked with the Navy to modernize legacy processes and facilities to enable the use and adoption of a fully digital shop floor production environment. The initiative incorporates technologies such as advanced human-machine interfaces, smart sensors, and automated self-monitoring systems into manufacturing operations.