3 Technologies That Are Changing Manufacturing

Technology plays an extremely important role in our society; I would even say critical, as I don’t dare imagine the world without the benefits that technology has brought us. From self-driving cars that are impacting the automotive industry to increasingly smart machines that are forever changing the face of manufacturing, technology allows us to create progressively complex devices and structures.

But what are the current technologies that are impacting the manufacturing industry right now?

3D Printing

3D printing, or additive layer manufacturing, has been around for longer than you may think, as early equipment and materials were developed during the 80s. This technology allows manufacturers to synthesise a functional three-dimensional object by building it in layers through a computerised process.

This technology is still best suited for low volume manufacturing, since because the layers are printed individually, the process is still quite slow. Being able to use 3D printing on a large, industrial scale might still be a challenge, but it doesn’t mean that the technology is not already revolutionising the manufacturing sector.

Whether it’s car parts, firearms and even body parts, 3D printers seem to be able to manufacture everything. And the possibility to create customised components tailor-made to each individual need is priceless – and can open the door to new opportunities. An example is Amazon’s idea for the foreseeable future: take orders online and then create the final product with 3D printers, whether ahead of time, on the way to the customer or even at the customer’s doorstep.

Nanotechnology

Manufacturing at the nanoscale is almost unbelievable if you really think about the size of a nanometer. At one-billionth of a metre, the ability to manipulate matter of this size is truly a remarkable technological feat.

Nanotechnology can be used to manufacture products with enhanced capabilities, and its impact on the industry has been transformative. This is due to the fact that products derived from nanomanufacturing can have fewer imperfections and longer lifespans, which increases their quality and functionality.

There are two fundamental approaches to manufacturing at the nanoscale: top-down and bottom-up. A top-down production means reducing large pieces of materials down to the nano level, while bottom-up creates objects by building them up from atomic and molecular-scale materials. The latter approach is less wasteful, although it is more time-consuming.

The number of industries where this technology can be applied in is vast. Lighter and stronger materials can be created through nanotechnology, which leads to a broad range of applications in the aerospace, automotive and military sectors. From the creation of vehicles, weapons, uniforms, screens, packaging, and so much more, the options inherent to nanomanufacturing are virtually endless.

Internet of Things

Smart manufacturing may very well be the future. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system where physical devices (be it computing, mechanical or digital), objects, animals and people are interconnected through the internet. This means the ability to transfer information through sensors, electronics, actuators and network connectivity.

Applied to the manufacturing sector, IoT means that you can create an environment where all available data on a plant floor, office or supply chain, for instance, is collected in real-time and exchanged without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interactions.

The advantages that this system brings include a quick and dynamic response to product demands, reduced downtime, improved product quality, less waste, real-time optimisation of the manufacturing process and lower costs.

General Electric’s Durathon battery factory is already experiencing these benefits. 10,000 sensors were installed on the assembly line, as well as others embedded in each battery, which allows managers to instantly read and share data as they walk the factory floor – which, in turn, helps to improve the manufacturing process.

Who knows? Maybe in the future everything in the workplace will be connected and able to talk to each other, as well as send or receive notifications about the manufacturing operations via the Internet.

The UK manufacturing sector employs 2.6 million people – technologies can help companies remain innovative and profitable in the global market, but it’s vital that you have a forward-thinking approach to it.

After all, progress shows no signs of stopping, which means that with technology constantly changing and innovating on a regular basis, you need to be flexible and capable of taking advantage of new opportunities in order to remain competitive.