Manufacturing has been the backbone of economic development, supporting organizations that cater to consumer demand. Industry is no longer limited to outdated assembly lines. New tools and solutions, such as 3-D printing, robotics, and big data help factories meet greater demand at a lower cost. To help your manufacturing processing team grow, consider adding these strategies to your line up:
3-D Printing
3-D printing is the process of creating objects by stacking materials, such as plastic or resin, in very thin layers. Although more than 30-years old, 3-D printing is still revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. One of its primary benefits is that it enables companies to create complex and custom designs. The speed at which parts can be produced compared to traditional manufacturing models is another significant advantage. Designers can create prototypes in a matter of hours. Having a faster turnaround during product development streamlines the overall manufacturing process. Additionally, being able to verify that a design fits your needs ahead of time mitigates risks, saving time and money. The 3-D printing market is predicted to reach $17.2 billion in 2020.
Robotics
Advanced robotic systems work fast and accurately, while also being able to handle material dangerous to human workers, which results in higher quality and safety. Even more impressive is the new trend of collaborative robots. These are highly adaptable “cobots” have the flexibility to work alongside human teammates. The machines are designed to learn as they work, increasing accuracy and productivity while allowing human counterparts to focus less on repetitive assembly tasks and more on strategizing. From assembling and welding to cutting and polishing, robotics in manufacturing is helping to provide higher output than ever before.
Big Data
As you integrate new technology trends into your business, big data analytics can help you pinpoint what works and what doesn’t. This information allows you to precisely track the manufacturing process from start to finish identifying patterns and weak points. Additional benefits include:
- Reduced order-to-delivery time
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Faster reaction time and repairs
- Real-time production accuracy
To achieve this sort of visibility across the manufacturing process, you need to decide what type of data is most beneficial to monitor. Having too much information or irrelevant data will only detract from your goals.
Enviro-Tech Coatings provides painting, specialty coatings, and metal finishing services to a wide range of industries. We maintain Air Permits and are a fully approved site for blasting and painting. If you would like a bid on a project, please contact us at 989-495-0000 or visit enviro-tech-coatings.com.