Process Improvement with Quality 4.0 in Kraft Paper Manufacturing Industry

Quality 4.0 is a technique of enhancing the quality of the products by incorporating technologies. IoT, IIoT, cyber-physical systems (CPS), automation, augmented/virtual reality, big data, cloud computing are technologies which strengthen the Quality 4.0 processes. In current research paper, authors have considered the enablers and barriers of Quality 4.0 identified from the literature. Further based on the learning derived from study of enablers and barrier, authors implemented the practices of Quality 4.0 in a paper manufacturing industry. From the study of case organization, authors observed that the implementation of IoT technologies improved the quality of products and reduced waste. Case organization takes wastepaper as input material and ensures quality by assessment of raw, in-process, and finished material by implementing IIoT technologies. Microwave sensors were installed to analyze the moisture present in the recycled paper. GPS connected third-party logistics services helped in resolving supply delays in the case organization.