In the business world, there is a continual drive to find improvements to existing processes in order to meet customer demand and increase productivity.
In any industry, production process innovators are constantly tinkering with new equipment in an attempt to capture larger portions of clientele or replace older manufacturing methods with more efficient technology.
Here are some of them that advanced the production process.
1. Using a checkweigher
In the past, companies have used a manual system to check product weight. This is time-consuming and can lead to human error. Although there have been machines that would determine whether the package was correct by using high speed scales, those were often designed for smaller quantities of goods being shipped. Now a new type of machine called a “checkweigher” has been invented.
A checkweigher uses induction technology – where electromagnetic fields are used – to determine if a load cell is passing through the machine correctly without any physical contact needed from an operator. This innovation saves time and money as it is able to weigh packages at speeds up to 120 pieces per minute with 99% accuracy.
There are many applications for a checkweigher, but they are most frequently found in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where perfect measurements need to be taken for each product. It also can serve as an effective method for sorting products.
2. Altering the design of a CNC machine
Computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines are used to create various components for planes, cars, appliances, houses and other types of equipment.
However, the original designs for these machines were bulky and often not optimized for manufacturing efficiency. Recently, there has been an effort to revamp CNC machines in order to improve their function while cutting costs. One of these changes is changing the design from vertical towers to horizontal rails.
The new design allows for more moving parts, which means companies can alter the machine to make other items instead of just what it was originally designed to produce. The new CNC machine design also requires less space, so it can be used in a wider range of applications.
This helps companies meet customer demand by being able to custom-build equipment for specific projects or products without having an idle machine taking up space in a warehouse. It also allows manufacturers to keep better track of equipment that might be old or outdated.
By changing the design, companies can optimize their CNC machines to produce higher quality products in a shorter amount of time.
3. Streamlining the manufacturing process
The manufacturing process has undergone a number of changes in recent years.
While there are still many advancements to be made, many companies have found ways to streamline the process. One of these changes is a concept that involves using lean manufacturing methods and advanced technology to monitor production inventory, so there is less idle time between producing different items.
If a company needs an item for shipment tomorrow, but it does not need a certain tool until next week, they do not have to keep that item in storage somewhere because its shelf life will expire before it is needed.
Instead, just-in-time manufacturing allows companies to focus on what they need as soon as they need it by having suppliers provide materials as the demand arises instead of stockpiling them.
A change that has improved manufacturing processes is having machines that are able to build entire products by themselves without the need for an operator. These machines will not only cut production costs, but also lower waste by having less leftover materials.
Ad solutions can then be used to market the products for more efficient sales.
4. Using AI to improve production efficiency
Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) has improved many types of industries, such as travel, entertainment, and advertising. In the production process, AI has been a valuable tool when it comes to improving efficiency. Machine learning is being used in data centers, so machines can learn from one another about potential problems.
AI also allows companies to examine how different processes are done, so they can figure out where waste or inefficiency may be occurring during the manufacturing process. In order for this technology to work, companies need to have high-speed computers that can store large amounts of information, along with advanced software that can read these big data sets.
Even if there is a small amount of incorrect data, the program will quickly adjust itself. This reduces errors and helps improve quality control while cutting associated with human error from assembly line mistakes.
It can also save time by preventing operations that are likely to fail and by expediting those that are high priority. While these improvements may be costly at first, the value of this technology will continue to grow and become more cost-effective as it is used.
5. Reducing waste through 3D printing
Manufacturers are finding that 3D printing can be used not only to produce single products, but entire production lines. One of the newest applications for this technology is using it on assembly lines. Instead of welding parts together or bolting them, engineers use 3D printers to create small sections of an object.
Using these smaller parts means there is more room for customization and individuality in each product. Parts can also be made more quickly since they do not need to cool before shipping like objects that were molded or cast.
This concept is often referred to as near-net shaping because it allows companies to build custom items without requiring expensive factory equipment or working with outside manufacturers. 3D printing reduces waste in other ways as well.
While traditional manufacturing typically leaves scraps of unused materials, 3D printing allows companies to recycle this excess by using it for another object or even turning it into something completely different. The company can make this decision based on whether the discarded material is recyclable and what would be needed to turn it into a raw material. This is not possible with traditional manufacturing practices.
Production processes have gone through many changes over the years and will continue to do so in the future. But advancing technologies like AI, machine learning and 3D printing all play a part in making manufacturing more efficient, allowing companies to produce more products while cutting down on waste.
If you are looking to enter the production process field, now is a great time. Good luck!
