As we enter a new era of smart factories and automated manufacturing, many have speculated that the end of time for manual labor has arrived. However, the evidence points in a different direction.
Industrial automation has brought new ways in which machines and human effort can collaborate, further increasing efficiency and driving down complexity. This is especially true for the emerging automation technologies which, in the past few years, have disrupted many kinds of manufacturing, and will continue to do so.
Here are some examples from the packaging and manufacturing industry.
Packaging Industry
With the rise of Industry 4.0, more companies are opting to add automation to their processes — and packaging processes are no exception. This increasingly common tactic is driven by the same reasons that automation and robotics were first brought to the manufacturing workplace — to free human workers from dangerous packaging jobs, to eliminate errors, and to cut costs. This has led to companies implementing automation technologies such as Industrial packaging machines to replace their old assembly lines, therefore gaining access to new production models and levels of efficiency.
Bagging processes are another area that could benefit from a smaller automation investment. This process is often where the biggest bottlenecks occur – hence, manufacturers can choose a Bagging machine or Bulk bag filling machine to combat this. This provides a sure-fire way of automating an otherwise tedious process.
Manufacturing Industry
Automation in manufacturing is growing and continues to shape the factory floor. Manufacturers are striving for a full digital thread from tracking materials supply chains, to production, to delivery. However, before a full digital transformation, it is important to know your goals, and how they align with the benefits of automated manufacturing strategies.
For the manufacturing industry, the way forward is not for humans to compete with robots. Instead, people will work alongside these advanced machines, just as we collaborate with more traditional technological tools. As companies embrace automation, the World Economic Forum predicts that up to 133 million new jobs could be created.
There are many benefits of automation in the manufacturing industry. For instance, having devices to monitor materials in inventory or at a workstation can reduce downtime due to running out of stock. Being able to see equipment run times might be enough to reduce downtime by adjusting workflow to reduce changeovers, or indicate where an investment in more automation would yield a positive ROI. Furthermore, automated manufacturing devices are often equipped with real-time data analysis, which can help make smarter operation decisions and schedule maintenance when it will least affect production. Lastly, automation and monitoring drive more informed business decisions.
Conclusion
From eliminating delays, preventing accidents and errors, enhancing management, and creating new business paradigms, automation technologies are increasingly shaping today’s packaging and manufacturing industry.
Now that you’ve fully understood the importance of automation, the question is – how can you get started with automating processes within your operation? The first step is by connecting your machines so that you have the ability to collect data, process it, and make decisions. When in doubt, minimize complexity, follow proper engineering principles, and work with Custom automation solutions vendors that provide good customer service. If you are looking for turntable wrapping machine, or Bagging machine for sale, you can contact Aurora Process Solutions.
