4 Industrial Manufacturing Trends for 2017 and Beyond

An industrial manufacturing firm that will overcome challenges in energy consumption, innovation, talent, and infrastructure will succeed in their endeavors. Therefore, a firm has to attract and retain top talent, use green and affordable energy, and innovate better than competitors to guarantee its survival. Attaining such objectives is not going to be easy since the industrial manufacturing environment is a complex one, which is in addition to the fact that there are various factors in each factory environment and beyond that will introduce challenges. Here are the top 4 industrial manufacturing trends to expect in the future.

Over the past couple of years, robotics have become top trends in the industrial manufacturing scene due to their increased importance. They are set to replace a large number of unskilled workers in many factory floors a few years to come since automation is set to decrease the cost of doing business. Robotics have been around for close to 70 years where they performed repetitive tasks in controlled environments. However, most of the robotic systems in use at the moment are highly intelligent and versatile. Experts predict that robotics will take over a large percentage of the manufacturing processes in the coming few years, meaning that the labor sector is set to feel the full effects.

Manufacturers have, for years, used the internet of things (IoT) in an effort to enhance the connectivity of factory floors. It features the linking of machines, computers, humans, and sensors through the internet. As a result, companies can get enhanced capabilities when it comes to information gathering, analysis, processing, and monitoring. It is now easy to determine the precise energy costs utilized in the production of a certain component in your company. As a higher number of manufacturers find use for the technology, the internet of things is set to find more users in the future.

Manufacturers have now fully embraced 3D printing technology. A simple definition of the technology is the use of digital designs in the creation of products. With unlimited improvements expected in the future, the technology is set to play a huge role in the manufacturing sector in the next couple of years. Some companies are, however, benefiting from its use in the creation of specialized components that are costly, cumbersome, and time-consuming to manufacture in normal manufacturing settings.

It is now commonplace to find a manufacturer that has embraced augmented reality. This is the use of computer imaging technology to pass information to users in real time. Users, on the other hand, use the information and guidance received in the form of graphics and other virtual enhancements to carry out their duties. Audio instructions are also used to enhance accuracy of the communication. Manufacturers are currently using the technology in tasks like training, safety enhancement, and for tracking inventory. The technology will see an increase in the number of its users due to the improvements that are expected.

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