In this Article
Accelerated by the global pandemic, the manufacturing industry is witnessing a significant digital transformation. As companies increase their efforts to become more sustainable and attract the talent they desperately need to ensure their future success, digitalization now finds itself at the forefront of many manufacturing organizations’ roadmaps.
Here are three specific technologies that manufacturers can benefit from implementing in 2023.
1. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors
IIoT sensors are paramount for manufacturers who want to collect a range of valuable data from across their production environments.
These sensors can monitor an array of factors, including temperature, sound, pressure, proximity, vibration levels, and more. The information they gather can help provide insights into the production process and improve real-time reporting and troubleshooting.
IIoT sensors reduce waste and also reduce the amount of energy an organization uses during production. This not only improves the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials but also drives direct cost savings.
2. Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance utilizes data (usually obtained from IIoT sensors) to track a plant asset’s health, status, and performance in real-time. The primary goal of predictive maintenance is to reduce the likelihood of a component or machine failing, which can lead to lengthy, costly downtime.
By analyzing information relating to bearings, for example, predictive maintenance can uncover potential issues with lubrication, vibration, and temperature levels – all of which can indicate a part that’s likely to fail in the future. This allows manufacturers to plan maintenance around their production schedule.
While the two terms are often used interchangeably, predictive maintenance and preventative maintenance are not one and the same.
Predictive maintenance sees work carried out when it is required, regardless of if that is earlier than the equipment manufacturer’s suggested guidelines.
Preventative maintenance, on the other hand, tends to focus on servicing components based on usage or age.
3. Paperless Production
Paperless production involves using plant management software to produce and track shop floor orders over their life cycle. The good news for manufacturers is that paperless production affords a number of benefits, including sustainability boosts.
The problem with traditional, paper-based production orders is that they are often out of date the moment they are printed. Should a customer request any changes to the order, the paperwork inevitably has to be recalled and updated instructions printed. This is okay provided production hasn’t already commenced.
With paperless production, your shop floor can benefit from having design drawings, parts lists, work instructions, and even inspection records made available electronically through plant management software. This information is always up to date and should any changes be required, the work order will be updated in real-time.
Should they need additional information, your production personnel can simply request it. Video can even be used to ensure complete understanding.
In terms of sustainability, paperless production not only improves efficiency and reduces waste, but also massively decreases the amount of paper your manufacturing organization uses – saving you money and helping to conserve the environment.
Start Your Paperless Production Journey Today
We’ve only touched on three digital technologies that stand to afford significant benefits for manufacturers; many more exist. Out of the three, paperless production is one of the more straightforward to implement.
If you’d like to find out more about SEAL Systems’ Paperless Production for manufacturing solutions, contact us today so one of our experts can discuss your individual situation and needs.