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Since the Industrial Revolution, the advent of new and different technologies has impacted manufacturers in positive ways. From Henry Ford’s assembly line to 3D printing, innovative processes and equipment have enabled companies to take charge of their futures by allowing for large-scale production; improving consistency and quality; making possible the reshoring of facilities; and reducing the costs of labor and material.
Manufacturers are still benefiting from these things, and more advanced technologies continue to be invented and improved for the sake of making things smoother, more efficient and successful in the long-term.
Below are some recent manufacturing trends that have made some waves in the last decade, as well as others that are just starting to blossom and find favor in the manufacturing world.
THE INTERNET OF THINGS
Defined as “a proposed development of the Internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity that allows them to send and receive data,” the Internet of Things is a breakthrough for manufacturers.
In an IoT environment, machines are capable of communicating with minimal human interference, which can lead to notifications about product inconsistencies, damaged components or other critical errors.
Having this infrastructure in place can lead to increased quality, reduced downtime and more efficiency on the shop floor as well as other parts of the business.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Though not new by any means, additive manufacturing and 3D printing continues to be a hot topic among manufacturers because of its versatility.
The ability to manufacture prototypes in a fast and efficient manner has resulted in an innovation explosion, allowing for companies to experiment and test new products made out of virtually any material, including plastic, metal, resin and mixed composites.
Additive manufacturing also has led to the creation of revolutionary –and life-changing — objects, including artificial human organs, cars and components for NASA space equipment.
THE CLOUD
While most of us are familiar with services like Dropbox for everyday use, the use of cloud technology in a manufacturing environment has helped administrators store data more easily and efficiently.
Larger manufacturers in particular have experienced great success, as they are now able to pull or transfer data to more than one plant location.
Not only does cloud storage reduce the amount of time and effort it might take to commit data to physical media, but it can also increase production and improve quality assurance.
Some companies still voice a concern about the medium’s security measures, but it is very possible that the bulk of manufacturers in the U.S. will utilize the cloud in the future.
For more information on how new technologies can help grow your business, visit manufacturingsuccess.org or call MAGNET’s Linda Barita at 216-600-1022.
