Industry 5.0: Production Print’s Biggest Upgrade

Industry 5.0 is big news. But how will this trend actually impact production print?
This new phase of industrial evolution in production print is blending advanced technology with a renewed focus on human creativity and sustainability. For print providers, understanding and embracing Industry 5.0 is not just an opportunity: it's a necessity for staying competitive in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.

What is Industry 5.0?

Industry 4.0 centered on automation, data exchange and the Internet of Things (IoT) – bringing unprecedented levels of efficiency through robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart technology.
 
As the name suggests, Industry 5.0 takes things even further, by reintroducing the human element. At its heart, Industry 5.0 emphasizes the collaboration between people and machines.
 
This trend fosters greater resilience by enabling agile responses to market shifts. It’s important for print providers to adapt to changing scenarios, for example: customers requiring different turnaround times or levels of personalization; keeping up with technological changes; and stricter sustainability requirements. It also supports sustainability efforts through optimized resource use and reduced waste.
 
In other words, human intelligence and creativity work alongside advanced technologies to create more personalized, sustainable, and innovative products.

How is it affecting Production Print?

Industry 5.0 is set to have a significant impact on print professionals. But it’s all good news! Here are some of the key benefits:

Human-machine collaboration

Exploring the synergy between human expertise and robotic precision will make many advances possible. For production print, this means integrating collaborative robots – or cobots – to help with tasks like material handling, reducing physical strain, and leaving skilled operators free to focus on quality control and creative problem-solving.

Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate independently, cobots are
designed to work alongside human operators, enhancing productivity while maintaining flexibility.

Data-driven decision-making

Printers can use predictive maintenance to reduce downtime, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Thanks to the integration of IoT sensors and advanced analytics, which will enable real-time monitoring of production processes.

Personalization

The convergence of AI, IoT, and real-time data will enable print providers to offer highly-customized print products – tailored to individual customer preferences. As a result, they’ll need adaptive production systems capable of handling shorter print runs without sacrificing efficiency or quality.

For production print providers, adopting Industry 5.0 is a truly transformative journey. A journey that brings deeper connections and greater achievements. Far more than a simple technological upgrade, it integrates human creativity with advanced technology.
 
This means printers can offer a level of service that genuinely exceeds customer expectations, creating memorable experiences and forging lasting partnerships.

Konica Minolta’s commitment to leading the way

Konica Minolta are dedicated to supporting print companies on their journey to Industry 5.0. – in total collaboration with our customers. By listening to their needs, we can define their current status and collaboratively chart a customized course towards future success.
 
As a trusted partner, we help customers build open workflow systems to foster creativity and nurture a workforce equipped to thrive in the digital age.
 
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