Manufacturing has changed immensely over the past few years. It has been forced to adapt to changing consumer trends and logistical issues caused by world events. But it has adapted incredibly well, and a lot of that is down to its uptake of exciting new innovations. It’s those innovations that we’ll look at here.
Technologies that are Changing the Manufacturing Sector
1. 3D Printing
3D printing has been around for a long time now, as the first models were launched in the 1980s. They have greatly improved since then. Modern 3D printers are better, faster, and considerably cheaper. Not only can the average consumer now afford a 3D printer for their home office, but they’re also available to every manufacturer and supplier regardless of size. 3D printing is an essential tool in prototype development. It can also be used to create bespoke parts for proprietary machines, eliminating the need to order custom parts and thus reducing downtime.
High-quality commercial 3D printers are also being used to quickly manufacture high-spec precision products, allowing for more customization and providing additional opportunities in vital manufacturing for sectors such as medical parts, automotive manufacturing, and the aerospace industry.
2. Cobots
The term “cobots” is a portmanteau of “collaborative robots”. It’s an area of robotics that deals with automated machines tasked with working alongside employees to perform tasks that would otherwise be completed by individuals or teams of individuals. These machines are fitted with a range of sensors that allow them to work safely alongside humans, including sensors that limit speed and force while ensuring the machine is aware of its surroundings.
Typically, robots in the manufacturing industry work in separate spaces or with some kind of separation, but cobots are created to provide safety without separation. An autonomous forklift is a prime example of a cobot, as the machine can work in busy warehouse environments without creating any safety issues. Other uses of cobots include:
- Sealing and glueing
- Precision welding and soldering
- Stacking boxes
- Picking and packing
- Screwing and affixing parts
- Sanding and polishing
3, Extended Reality
Extended reality is an umbrella term that encompasses technologies that merge the real and virtual worlds, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These technologies have already been heavily utilized in the personal goods sector, as we’ve seen with popular video games, consoles, and gaming systems, but they’re also used throughout the manufacturing sector to create low-cost training simulations, design prototypes, and showcase products to consumers and clients without physical interaction. What’s more, as they become cheaper, better, and more widely available, those uses will grow.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become synonymous with chatbots over the last year or so, but its use extends much further than that. AI systems can collect and organize vast amounts of data that it can then use to do everything from predicting consumer trends and identifying employee hazards to estimating when machines need to be maintained and/or repaired.
As long as it has enough data to analzye, AI can learn, adapt, and then predict accordingly. It has the potential to save companies a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on completing menial tasks, replacing working machines, and dealing with employee injuries. AI is an incredibly important tool in this data-focused digital world, which is why many major manufacturing companies are now hiring entire teams tasked with developing and operating AI algorithms.
Summary: Past and Future Innovations in Manufacturing
Innovation doesn’t stop in the manufacturing sector. In fact, with the current pace of AI development, it’s likely that the next few years will be even more impactful than the last few. Some of the key shifts we could see include a focus on more sustainable materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, with companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint without greatly increasing cost or sacrificing quality.
Wearables are also becoming more common. These devices work on something known as the Internet of Things (IoT). It can be used to track employee activity and monitor safety, thus ensuring that manufacturing facilities and warehouses become safer even as the workload increases, and automation becomes more common. Whatever happens, it’s an exciting time for every manufacturer, distributor, and supplier. And as we all rely on the manufacturing sector to produce the cars we drive, the materials we use, and the goods we buy, these changes will impact all of us.
