{"id":3739,"date":"2019-12-12T03:20:41","date_gmt":"2019-12-12T03:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theproche.com\/?p=3739"},"modified":"2021-06-24T11:30:30","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T10:30:30","slug":"top-five-trends-in-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theproche.com\/top-five-trends-in-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Five Trends in Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In today\u2019s\nfast-paced world, the manufacturing industry is evolving rapidly. As consumer\ndemands shift, customers are more informed of their purchasing decisions and\nwant to ensure their products match specified requirements exactly. In\nmanufacturing, many unique influences shape the trends and changes that can be\nseen. Although technology is undeniably one factor, trends including the\nability to create customized machinery, integrate automation, develop in-house\nproduction processes, and lead times on products are all considerations as\nwell. The below five trends are the most influential in manufacturing today and\nare changing the industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trend #1:\nAbility to Develop Custom Machinery<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ability for customers to work with businesses that will create customized machinery \u2013 specifically to their requirements \u2013 is a powerful driving force for a customer\u2019s decision to work with a company. The option of customized machinery is an indicator of the direction manufacturing may take in the future, specialized and unique. These machinery should also have in-built roll-over protection<\/a> structure to ensure safety of the operator. The use of customizable machinery has grown in the last decade because businesses are seeking dedicated equipment for more efficient processes to increase productivity and profitability. Where one manufacturer may produce a part utilizing multiple machines to complete secondary processes, another manufacturer may have custom equipment designed to complete product of the same part in fewer steps, on a single machine or line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today,\ncustomizations play a substantial role in manufacturing because each business\nhas its own production process. Businesses manufacturing specialty products can\nstay more competitive in the market when they have their own custom equipment\nfor their unique process. Customized machinery allows companies to create\nequipment that performs exactly suited to product requirements. In an industry\nwhere requirements may change, custom machinery provides the flexibility that\nmanufacturers need when producing parts or products for multiple customers. It\nis important for companies to adjust to market demands, and as processes\nevolve, it is essential to the longevity of a company to adapt to new\nrequirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trend #2: The\nIntegration of Automation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of\nautomation in manufacturing equipment and processes is already prominent within\nthe industry. Whether equipment is fully or partially automated, the processes\nare automated, or robotics are integrated within the system, the role of\nautomation is changing manufacturing. With the support of automation and\nrobotics, a manufacturing business that once worked a typical \u201c9:00 to 5:00\u201d\nworkday can potentially extend their production to run 24 hours per day. In a\nshop, setting automation can increase the efficiency of production because one\noperator can monitor the workings of multiple machines. Companies with the\navailable capital to automate their production processes can increase their\nproduction rates and, in turn, increase their profits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The recent\nincrease in robotic integration is influencing manufacturing in a variety of\nways, one of which is a focus on improving safety. For certain hazardous\nconditions that require personal interaction with dangerous machinery,\nchemicals, or situations, robotics can be used rather than humans who would be\nput at risk for health or bodily injury. The integration of robotics can also\nplay a role in preventing future costly repairs. Automated systems can\nrecognize and pinpoint issues when they arise, stopping production before\ndamage occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trend #3:\nUtilizing In-House Processing to Maximize Efficiency<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently, more\nmanufacturing businesses have turned to producing parts in-house. This proves\nto be more profitable and productive for companies creating repetitive\nproducts. With a focus on in-house production, manufacturers can control more\nof their processes by not relying on secondary sources for crucial parts.\nRemoving manufacturing from outsourced operations means more labor for a\ncompany\u2019s current workforce. However, as mentioned previously, utilizing\nautomation with custom machinery allows businesses to manufacture at faster,\nmore consistent rates than with standard machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than relying on outsourcing, manufacturers are becoming self-sufficient for more of their production. Issues that can arise with outsourcing include miscommunications related to deadlines, color schemes, materials, and quality expectations. When creating the parts, in-house companies can tailor the final product to their exact specifications. As businesses begin to realize the benefits of in-house processes rather than outsourcing, more companies will follow suit to stay competitive and keep up with the market\u2019s demand. Companies prefer buying used packaging and processing equipment in order to increase profitability. Check cwr resources inc<\/a> to buy used industrial packaging and processing equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trend #4: Long\nLead Times Lead to Frustrated Customers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Related to the\nneed for in-house processing, a recently occurring trend is long-lead times\nfrom vendors and missed deadlines. Long lead times are causing businesses to\nmake parts in-house and adjust their production processes so they can have more\ncontrol over the complete operation. Companies can gain necessary control of\ntheir processes and deadlines by bringing manufacturing in-house. Customers\nneed their products quickly, and overworked vendors with long lead times and\nmissed deadlines can cause tensions between the manufacturer and customer.\nFaster delivery with higher quality products is an essential factor that gives\nbusinesses a competitive edge. The demand for custom, quick products are\nchanging the way manufacturers operate today. With integration options such as\ncustomized equipment and automation, businesses are creating processes that are\nmore cost-effective, competitive, productive, and efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trend #5: Technological\nAdvancements<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology has\nevolved over time and is now rapidly transforming the manufacturing industry.\nAs automation and robotics become commonplace in manufacturing, customized\nmachine solutions offer businesses the opportunity to integrate new\ntechnologies into their process. Many accessories and auxiliary options\navailable to manufacturers are technology-focused. Customizable equipment\nallows customers to pick and choose which additional options they want to be\nincluded with their equipment. Although not all machine shops are interested in\ninvesting in new technologies, it can add numerous benefits to production\nprocesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Options for technological integration can include data acquisition systems that automatically collect, store, and organize data. This can tell operators how the machine is functioning if there were any issues during production, what optimal speed was when running, how many parts were produced, and much more information. Technology can also make it easier to operate machinery, and certain touch screen operating systems allow for a more visual understanding of how a machine is running. Technology can make machines safer for operators, replacing manual adjustment with electronic adjustments that are controlled using modernized operating systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n