Technology is changing how business is done virtually in every industry, including manufacturing. Advancements in technology enable manufacturers to streamline production processes, innovate at a faster pace, reduce costs, and deliver higher-quality products to meet customer demand. Because manufacturing technology is versatile and easy to use, there are several areas within manufacturing where technology is being harnessed.
For example, additive manufacturing — more commonly known as 3D printing — has a variety of applications. As it has become more affordable, manufacturers use it during production cycles to produce high-quality components while keeping costs down. It represents a promising opportunity for creating custom goods and other parts. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help technicians determine how well the machine functions. AI can also predict when a piece of equipment may malfunction or break down. This kind of IoT, or Internet of Things, technology is the future trend of predictive maintenance. Digital twins also harness IoT technology and are another way manufacturers can optimize performance and reduce their costs.
As the name implies, a digital twin is a real-time virtual representation of an actual object. This data allows you to virtually monitor, let’s say, a piece of manufacturing equipment or an entire production line. Digital twins are being used increasingly to predict maintenance schedules and possible repairs, as well as to experiment with changes to a line and review what the impact may be. Remote performance monitoring sensors that can track manufacturing cycles and sense possible maintenance issues are also growing in popularity.
Remote performance monitoring sensors can be used in a few different ways to reduce manufacturing costs and improve efficiency. For example, they can predict when a part or machine may fail, which lets manufacturers implement predictive maintenance schedules that reduce the risk of a breakdown and related downtime. These sensors can also help keep a production line running at capacity, and if a repair is needed, enable the manufacturer to contact a service team immediately to help ensure speedy service and repairs.
Other technological advances include advances in automation, such as robots that perform assembly and material handling as well as dangerous or repetitive tasks and computerized maintenance management systems, which help reduce the need for on-site personnel. The accompanying resource describes some of the innovative ways that the manufacturing industry is relying on these advances.
