The term ‘digital transformation’ has brought a lot of attention to the manufacturing industry. The process describes the utilization of connectivity, data, and processing, encompassing every perspective of manufacturing activity. The Enterprisers Project describes digital transformation as “the amalgamation of digital technology in each and every sector of a business, producing fundamental modifications to how businesses function and how they convey value to customers.”
Digital transformation is the embodiment of traditional manufacturing methods enriched with new developing technologies, working collectively to take manufacturing ahead and address inadequacies in the present sector. From the Research and development and rapid prototyping to performance and product analytics, digital transformation in the manufacturing industry is poised to enhance all perspectives of the business from the administrative structure of organizations to how they produce revenue.
In this article, we will highlight some of the advantages of digital transformation in manufacturing along with some key trends that will drive manufacturing operations in the future.
Advantages of Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry
There are a lot of benefits of digital transformation in manufacturing. Here are some of them:
Productivity
The development and design methods are better suited to employing tools like augmented reality and 3D printing, and through influencing behavioral data from customers in real-time. The production is contoured with minimum downtime with the help of connected machines transferring necessary support data that can be persuaded to boost output and limit malfunctions.
Quality
High-resolution sensors control the production parameters of the goods along with the complete production line method. The machine learning procedures are employed to produce data to automatically explain the root causes of mistakes and to foretell waste-related problems before they befall.
Cost
Obtaining and interpreting data over every step of the manufacturing process, together with the transportation, logistics, product line, and machine data, makes it feasible to recognize new cost reduction possibilities. Inventory should be adequately managed to suffice requirements in a more specific way as machines give a high level of extensibility that facilitates instantaneous changes between goods.
Customization
Customization has grown to be an essential selling point for buyers. Digitized production lines can give customers engaging customization opportunities while still working on a mass range and at a huge level of proficiency so that costs remain competitive.
Safety and Security
Work in hazardous circumstances can be managed by robots. Workers can be notified regarding possible perils well in advance with the help of dedicated sensors installed throughout the factory/plant.
Most Valuable Areas of Digitalization in Manufacturing
Here is a list of some “Most Valuable Areas” which have started developing the digital transformation in the manufacturing industry.
1. Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is generally referred to as “3D printing”. It combines a wide spectrum of substances and methods that share a common trait which is the direct transformation of 3D data in the physical domain. This kind of manufacturing empowers the liberty of ideas that were not viable before. As technology develops, the industry is witnessing the development of applications in areas including, automotive, aerospace, medical, and lifestyle. The development is not limited only to these sectors.
2. Asset Performance Management
With time the definition of APM (Asset Performance Management) has evolved to encompass a wide range of functions. Asset Performance Management supplies together many tools to increase the accessibility and overall authenticity of physical services within the manufacturing space. These tools manage, organize, analyze, and visualize data from the services, and leverage it by offering reliability maintenance, condition monitoring, and predictive forecasting.
3. Cloud Applications and Platforms
The traditional approach of customer-server data management practices is rapidly being renewed by automated cloud applications. The new process of developing and extending software has a lot of benefits over the traditional, intricate, and heavier server approach. It provides low-cost sustainment and smooth updates.
4. Correlated Products and Services
Digital transformation of the supply network in the formation of connected goods positions manufacturers as creators within their businesses. The specific requirements of customers can be continually satisfied through improvements made to a product’s characteristics. This constant connectivity empowers the manufacturer’s stand as a service.
Final Words
Change is flexible and with some small modifications, manufacturers can enhance their data, make more reliable relations between teams and systems, and eventually make the business digital, which will result in better customer experience.
An approach to launch digitalization in the manufacturing industry is to recognize development opportunities in the production that will appear directly or indirectly in vital advantages to the customer.
