Keeping Up With – and Leveraging – New Technologies in the Manufacturing Industry
With the global pandemic shutting down entire nations, you may think that the manufacturing industry is on the edge of disaster.
However, the manufacturing sector has shown incredible resistance, all thanks to innovative technologies. In fact, after the global lockdowns in 2020, experts expect the manufacturing industry to grow by 7.2% for the remainder of 2021.
In this article, you’ll discover the top 10 technological advancements and how they can help you grow your manufacturing business over the next few years.
Top 10 Technologies to Leverage in the Manufacturing Industry
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence helps you automate various business-related processes from the plant floor to the front office. AI technology can also help you align your supply chain with demand projections, exposing you to data you couldn’t otherwise get.
2. Robotics
As robotics technology advances each day, robots are becoming cheaper, more intelligent, and more efficient. You can use robots for various manufacturing roles as they can help to:
- Automate monotonous tasks
- Increase accuracy and reduce human errors
- Focus on more productive parts of your business
3. Nanotechnology
Another means of technology that has grown in the last couple of years is nanotechnology. It’s the manipulation of nanoscopic materials and technology, driving heightened efficiency in the manufacturing industry.
Here’s the list of examples of nanotechnology use in the manufacturing industry:
- Car manufacturing
- Tire manufacturing
- Nanomachines
- To create effective and stable lubricants used for industrial purposes
4. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is one of the types of technology advancement that uses internet connections to store software and business information.
The use of this technology is constantly increasing in manufacturing operations and production processes, improving connectivity across various plants. Further, it allows your manufacturing business to share data within seconds, reducing costs and production times. Shared data also helps to enhance the reliability between various plants and improve the quality of products.
5. Big Data
Big data refers to extensive data sets, potentially totaling billions of parameters and rows. In the manufacturing industry, big data can include information collected at every stage of production. This includes data from machines, devices, operators, and manufacturing CRM and can be either structured or unstructured.
6. 3D Printing
3D printing is tremendously successful in the product design field. Implementing 3D printing into manufacturing technology can:
- Help significantly reduce the time needed from design to production
- Offer increased flexibility in production
- Drastically reduce manufacturing lead times
- Minimize manufacturing waste
- Save production money
- Simplify production of individual and small-lot products from machine parts to product prototypes
7. The Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things (IoT) also encourages digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. IoT includes a network of sensors to connect critical production data while using cloud software to turn this data into actionable insights about the efficiency of manufacturing operations.
This connectivity brings machines and humans closer together while leading to faster response times, improved communication, and, ultimately, greater efficiency.
8. Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality (AR) can help identify unsafe working conditions in the manufacturing industry. It can also measure changes while visualizing a finished product.
For example, AR can help a worker check equipment and its current running temperature. This can ultimately reveal that it’s hot, issuing a warning that it’s unsafe to touch with bare hands. An employee can easily see what’s happening in the workplace, which machinery may be breaking down, and even information about the factory’s restricted areas.
Simply put, the AR technology helps inexperienced employees get informed, trained, and protected while saving significant resources.
9. Cybersecurity
Implementing technology, especially using cloud computing and integrating systems using IoT, raises security challenges. That’s why it’s crucial to increase focus on cybersecurity.
Experts in the manufacturing industry are investing in secure cloud-based ERP and FSL to resolve security challenges.
10. 5G
5G is a relatively new advancement in technology, which will enormously impact the manufacturing industry. It will significantly transform the devices that drive automated processes in the manufacturing industry.
In fact, China and South Korea are already leveraging 5G in manufacturing. And we expect the US and UK to compete with them soon.
Are You Ready To Leverage Technology?
As you can see, applying technology to your manufacturing business can decrease costs, increase efficiency, and reduce waste. In addition, technology can help you improve quality control while ensuring superior products that will benefit you and the consumers alike.
If you’re ready to start implementing different types of technological advancements into your business, make sure to focus on cybersecurity. Remember, it’s essential to keep all your data safe and secure. For more information and assistance to incorporate technology in your manufacturing business, contact Faye.