Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1505196
mouser.com/vishay / 3 T his era represents a monumental global production and supply chain shift, primarily driven by a relentless march toward automation across conventional manufacturing and industrial spheres. The keys to this transformation are cutting-edge technologies like cyber-physical systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and cognitive computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. These intelligent systems demonstrate dramatic improvements in communication and self-monitoring with a reduced need for human involvement in troubleshooting and diagnostics. While today's machines may not wholly match the profound depth of human expertise in industrial applications, they are remarkably efficient and capable of undertaking highly intricate tasks. Their success, though, is intimately linked to the flawless and reliable performance of a myriad of digital components, often stationed in harsh or remote environments and tasked with responding accurately to real-world conditions. This makes companies like Vishay intrinsic elements—the very DNA of Tech™—that fuels the Industry 4.0 revolution. As we delve deeper into Industry 4.0, we simultaneously gaze toward the horizon of Industry 5.0, which promises a fusion of human intuition and machine efficiency. This forethought is woven into every aspect of Vishay's strategies, ensuring we meet the current revolution's demands and lay the groundwork for the next. FOREWORD In this context, and throughout this eBook, we explore four crucial areas of Industry 4.0 and how Vishay's vast collection of diodes, rectifiers, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, resistors, inductors, and capacitors address their unique needs —always with an eye toward the evolving requirements of Industry 5.0. The first area is energy harvesting for IoT sensors, a segment whose advancements align with the goals of Industry 4.0. It paves the way for Industry 5.0's focus on sustainable and efficient energy use. Similarly, our investigation into DC/DC converters and electronic switches keeps pace with the technological innovation of Industry 4.0 while laying a solid foundation for Industry 5.0's emphasis on optimization and smart automation. Finally, we explore control panels, where large touch buttons on human-machine interfaces (HMIs) can be substituted with optical switches and LED backlighting. One highlight here is a Vishay optical sensor encased in a foil-assisted molding (FAM) package, complete with an infrared emitter that can be replaced by a vertical-cavity surface-emitter laser (VCSEL) for control panels with thick glass covers. With one foot firmly grounded in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the other stepping confidently towards the Fifth, Vishay is at the heart of this technological shift. As we anticipate the dawn of Industry 5.0, we are committed to harnessing its opportunities and challenges as we continue our march toward our digital destiny. As we find ourselves amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, we marvel at the expanding web of interconnectivity that envelops our world.