The global economic expansion is one of the factors that encouraged the manufacturing industry worldwide to adopt new technologies and equipment designed to enhance productivity and overall factory performance. Implementing technological advances continuously helps companies achieve improved output, competitiveness, and customer care. In order to facilitate rapid change and trends, companies need to evaluate the impact, value potential, returns, and risk involved in investing in new technologies.

Given the rising demand for quality and the availability of state-of-the-art capabilities, it is inevitable to prepare for and materialize a more data-driven and connected manufacturing environment where all the activities are connected externally and internally. An easy access to information from operators and customers to factory executives will have a positive impact on productivity. Following are some of the trends that will continue to drive change in 2017:

Industrial robots

Over the last couple of decades, the use of automation technology has grown tremendously. Industrial demand and increased labor costs are the biggest factors driving industries to automate and streamline their production processes. China is one of the biggest consumers of multipurpose industrial robots in the world. According to International Federation of Robotics, the number of industrial robot shipments in China will rise from 75,000 in 2015 to 150,000 in 2018.

The role of robots in creating more efficient manufacturing operations has encouraged manufacturers to replace manual processes with automatic processes; dramatic results produced by factory robotics is an inspiration for industries which are still relying on manual processes. However, some experts are of the opinion that excessive use of automation will result in less innovation as only humans have the abilities to develop ideas that can enhance an existing process.

Industrial internet

The internet revolution is the new industrial revolution. The internet, since its inception, has completely changed the way we communicate, manufacture, buy or sell. The application of internet in the manufacturing facilities has demonstrated great potential in terms of overall production efficiencies. The power of internet to link machines, sensors, and humans can produce and process a great amount of valuable data. The ability of modern devices to process data and convert it into insights help, for instance, operators to monitor production variables and how these variables can influence the productivity.

Additive manufacturing

3D printing or additive manufacturing allows manufacturers to create highly accurate digital designs by building up layers of various materials. 3D printing technology, undoubtedly, is one of the great inventions of the 21st Century. Being a newly developed technology, 3D printing will continue to uncover its potential in prototype development and production processes.

Technological innovations and capabilities make industries think about the possible rewards and risks they can gain from it. However, a slow response to rapidly changing economic conditions can cost industries a fortune. Businesses should follow the prevailing trends and techniques quickly so that they can achieve substantial growth for a long period of time.

Manufacturers should consult the engineering solution providers that simplify technologies and break them down to easy-to-implement solutions. Being a leading automation engineering company in Canada, BP Automation strives to build highly profitable automation solutions including prototype development and automated machines.