Back to Blogs

Smart manufacturing in the 21st century: Why are businesses adopting it?

Artificial Intelligence
Article
Manufacturing
Manufacturing has come a long way since the days of Henry Ford. The invention of the assembly line and other automated manufacturing processes have allowed factories to become more productive than ever before.

However, with the advent of the internet of things (IoT), we are now entering a new era—the age of smart manufacturing. So how is this era changing the manufacturing landscape, and how does it affect businesses; let's take a look!

Undoubtedly, there are numerous smart technologies and connected devices in our lives, such as smartphones, smartwatches, smart televisions, smart coffee makers, and smart security cameras; this list could go on!

The latest member to join this “smart” list is smart manufacturing, which is leveraging real-time access and connectivity to improve manufacturing procedures and revolutionize said industry.

Smart manufacturing (SM) is the process of constructing a robust digital foundation or digital operating platform that sustains agile business processes and provides the opportunity to scale speedily with necessary modifications.

In a nutshell, smart manufacturing enhances manufacturing procedures through automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud solutions, big data analytics, the internet of things, and computerized control systems to reduce costs and boost productivity. It combines the best of IT and operational systems like product lifecycle management and enterprise resource planning (ERP), which allow manufacturers to efficiently respond to changes in the factory environment and across their value chain. 

Goal and vision of smart manufacturing

The purpose of SM is to recognize probabilities for automating processes and practice data analytics to advance manufacturing operations. Smart manufacturing is also acknowledged as the automation of a manufacturing unit. 

For example, the SM system can automatically order raw supplies, assign other equipment for manufacturing depending on the requirement to accomplish orders, and coordinate distribution networks later. 

Smart manufacturing has advanced the manufacturing industry to the fourth industrial revolution, where companies use cloud consulting solutions and expertise to access and stock massive quantities of data. This data can then be utilized in the manufacturing supply chain. Manufacturers never had access to this data in the past. Today, it lets them view the entire picture and make better and wiser decisions.

Why are businesses adopting smart manufacturing?

Small and medium enterprises are gradually implementing smart manufacturing to reduce costs and hazards while boosting productivity. Machine learning allows self-monitoring and analytical maintenance that cuts costs and repair times. In addition, real-time responsiveness of production apparatus and raw materials make it simple to attain customers, customize products in bulk, and create innovative products and services.

SM delivers numerous advantages, including augmented productivity, continual cost-cutting, flexibility, and enhanced efficiency. In addition, a smart factory continuously leads to superior yield. 

For example, if a machine reduces production, the smart system will identify it and work towards resolving the matter. A perfectly designed smart manufacturing unit or factory includes mechanization and human-machine teamwork that empowers operational capability. 

Again, coming back to the question—why are businesses adopting smart manufacturing:

Remarkable excellence

Smart manufacturing expertise can be used to supervise the quality features of products. It allows examining manufacturing processes to decrease inconsistency, remove undetected errors and resolve issues as soon as possible.

Quickness, flexibility, and scalability

Smart manufacturing incorporated factories enable manufacturers to rapidly modify process flow, apparatus, labels, and packing. A smart manufacturing unit is furnished with modular systems that can be configured effortlessly to measure production, present new products, or generate high-quality industrial opportunities. This makes the businesses flexible to varying demands and stronger to deal with market difficulties.

Maximizes reliability

Smart manufacturing can help you achieve better quality while decreasing costs and risks involved. Smart manufacturing enables businesses to produce a reliable outcome repeatedly by eliminating pointless process differences.

Reduction in waste

Artificial intelligence and machine learning in the smart manufacturing ecosystem make recognizing defects in processes and products easier. This helps enhance the efficiency of production lines and processes, thus helping reduce defects and wastage. 

Data safekeeping

Data is critical for any organization, and its safety is the key concern. Smart manufacturing integrated factories are equipped with artificial intelligence resolutions that ensure the highest level of data safety by encoding it. It also keeps an eye on whether any malicious activities occur in the SM environment.

Is smart manufacturing right for your business?

If your business is into manufacturing, there is no time like the present to take a deep dive into the world of smart manufacturing. It would help lay a robust digital groundwork for your production unit, efficiently share data throughout your supply chain and business, predict demand and supply, and help create new products and services to attract and retain customers.

The bottom line

Smart manufacturing is an influential force with the ability to rearrange the existing competitive environment and generate a new set of industry leaders. As a result, businesses are running towards smart manufacturing competencies to heighten the manufacturing process, sustain long-term growth in the market, and stay ahead of their competitors. 

The purpose of smart manufacturing is to enhance the manufacturing process by utilizing a considerable technology-driven method to screen the production process. SM enables businesses to recognize opportunities for industrializing operations and practice data analytics to expand manufacturing performance.

Smart manufacturing employs a plethora of emerging technologies, as we mentioned earlier, and there is no one better than us when it comes to emerging tech. So, look us up, and let’s get cracking on how to set up a smart manufacturing system for your business!

Emerging Tech to Grow Your Firm

Kartheek Kodey

Kartheek is a senior engineer passionate about farming, tasting good food, and exploring the woods. He also enjoys watching tennis and documentaries.

More by this author