Understanding Manufacturing Technologies and their Industrial Use Cases

The manufacturing industry is witnessing a disruption with Industry 4.0. The use of advanced technologies and digital tools in manufacturing is driving significant efficiency in the production process across different industries. Some of the applications of cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing include:

• Automated robots used in manufacturing guarantee quality and efficiency with limited errors. Robotics can take on repetitive tasks and work in extreme conditions that can be harmful to humans. This enables 'lights-out manufacturing' in which robots can work without light, energy, and ventilation for a longer period. Cobots or collaborative robots work along with humans and have a significant capacity for learning and are easy to manage. 

• Connecting and analyzing chunks of data at a time is now possible with IoT. The continuous assessment of data that garners industrial solutions and success is now termed as IIot (Industrial Internet of Things). IIot sensors facilitate machine monitoring and indicate future risks if any. Accessing trends and understanding customer behaviour is also a benefit of IIot. 

• Additive manufacturing or '3D printing' enables a tool-less mechanism for building prototypes. An integral part of smart manufacturing, the additive method is faster and cost-effective compared to conventional ways of production. This mechanism propagates a quicker recovery of disrupted supply chains with on-demand production scenarios. 

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have come to the rescue of manufacturing industries by providing techniques like predictive analytics and robotics. They help the process, analyze, and compare data to gain maximum productivity and minimum blunders. 

Industrial Application of Manufacturing Technologies:

Disruptive technologies help create smart factories that are highly efficient with fully integrated data. These technologies are helping numerous industries in making manufacturing processes efficient.  Below are some of the industries which are effectively bridging digital and physical environments using AI and big data analytics.

Automobile: Recently, General Motors announced its 3D printing facility to ensure agility and improved production. Additive manufacturing plays a crucial role in the automotive industry by providing a long-term, cost-effective method to build parts within a very short time. 

Construction: The fully or semi-automated machinery used in construction enables smooth and efficient functioning of the industry. The use of AI and machine learning helps reduce the risks and provide insights on estimated construction costs. Augmented and Virtual Reality is also in use, which enables continuous tracking of workers and also makes communication easier. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology fast-track the process of designing with maximum precision. This helps in an accurate visualization of the plan making it easier to understand the flaws. The construction industry uses 3D printing or additive manufacturing to build complex prototypes with minimum labour and lesser material wastage. 

Garments: With Tukatech initiating an automated fabric cutting machine, smart manufacturing has also set foot in the clothing industry. Automated machines and robotics facilitates maximum production in a shorter time. Especially, incorporating automated sewing machines helps undertake repetitive designs and patterns. Tracking operations becomes effortless with cloud computing. 

Healthcare: Manufacturing technologies are no less important in the health sector. With emerging Industry 4.0, the sector is prone to receive benefits. IoT in the medical field enables personalised healthcare and telemedicine. Artificial Intelligence in healthcare paves the way for self-diagnosis methods. The introduction of robots/cobots ensures precision and accuracy in delivering healthcare and performing operations. 

Food and Beverages: Food and beverage industry has been using different machineries in the production of food. In spite of this, there were errors and spoiling of products due to unpleasant conditions. Digitisation helps solve this by incorporating AI and big data analytics. The predictive insights and machine monitoring aids in preventing any downtime in production. Augmented and virtual reality can bring in better experiences for the consumers to witness the safety and quality of the production process. 

Conclusion

The advent of manufacturing technologies create a space for smart developments with lesser human interventions.Apart from the abovementioned, there are other industries like aerospace, logistics, and IT which employ manufacturing technologies. According to an article in Financial Express, "Integrating MSMEs into the smart manufacturing realm is also required because the world of connected devices and sensors offers a treasure trove of data that can drive better business outcomes through substantial insights." Incorporating these technologies into the business world encourages a sustainable ecosystem. 

With the line between the real and digital world blurring, there's more scope for AI and big data in almost all manufacturing sectors. With better intelligence and fewer errors, these technologies yield innovations, better time-management, and a stronger economy.