Nokia will deploy 5G SA private wireless networks for US electronics manufacturer Flex at its manufacturing facilities in Brazil. Initial use cases will focus on increasing wireless applications, exploring the potential of 5G for reliable connectivity, massive transfers of operational data and greater layout flexibility on the shopfloor. The implementation will include the creation of a digital twin of the private 5G network at Flex Brazil.

Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) will provide the private wireless on-demand service as well as MX Industrial Edge computing and digital-enabling applications.

The two companies are collaborating to introduce Industry 4.0 solutions in the supply chain and manufacturing verticals, to make operations more agile and cost effective with 5G technology, with the goal of Flex Brazil becoming a lighthouse to other companies interested in implementing Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0 technologies and methods.

Flex has over 100 sites worldwide and manufactures technology used in manufacturing and supply chain operations. The company has already implemented a number of Industry 4.0 technologies, including advanced simulation, automation and robotics, analytics, IoT and additive manufacturing (3D printing). The company sees private wireless as a key enabler to enhance competitiveness linked to digital transformation.

Offered as-a-service, Nokia DAC combines plug-and-play 4.9G/LTE and 5G industrial-grade network connectivity with on-premise edge computing to provide the data management and processing to support real-time applications for smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance, remote operations and many other applications.

Nokia Network Digital Twin creates a digital twin of the private 5G network and its connected devices. This enables Flex to monitor network operations in real time and predict maintenance needs and potential downtime in advance, reducing disruptions in production and making its factories more efficient and productive in the future. Nokia Bell Labs innovations focusing on novel networks applications will be experimented at Flex to enable new forward-looking use cases of deterministic networking for reconfigurable production lines.
  
Marcelo Marcomini, Industry 4.0 Executive for Flex Brazil, said: “We welcome the collaboration with Nokia to join us on this journey to expand the scope of our solutions by integrating Nokia’s 5G private wireless expertise to improve our current operations efficiency and prepare for the future of manufacturing at the same time.”

Marcelo Entreconti, Head of Enterprise for Latin America, Nokia, said: “The partnership will leverage our strength in advanced networking and mission-critical communications with Flex long experience in manufacturing and supply chain innovation. Together, we will explore the power of Industry 4.0 to transform how we manufacture and distribute goods in this new digital world.”