Tools and People – Working Together to Create Automated Manufacturing

The day is finally here when robots aren’t just characters in science fiction movies. According to Engineering.com and Forbes.com, manufacturing industries across the globe have adopted robotics to speed up production and improve quality. But, at what cost? Spending thousands, if not millions, of dollars on digital technologies can be unapproachable. After all, robotics for manufacturing operations are still relatively new and require programming and troubleshooting to accommodate the specific needs of each manufacturer as well as ongoing maintenance costs. In addition, large robotic machinery can take up valuable space on a factory floor.

To ease the transition into a fully automated manufacturing facility, manufacturers can start with simple adjustments, like integrating connected tools on the factory floor, to immediately boost continuous improvement efforts. Cost-effective tools can go a long way to advance automated manufacturing processes. With tools that provide data insights, manufacturing facilities can experience an easier production process without investing extra integration time. Additionally, manufacturers can save space on the facility floor. Compared with robotics, connected tools help save training time, boost productivity and improve quality of end products, all for a much lower investment. The combined efforts of connected tools and a facility’s employees work together to produce better products and ultimately, a “smarter” factory.

Read more from Jeff Lowe, Global Product Manager for Advanced Assembly Tools at Ingersoll Rand, on how to boost continuous improvement efforts with digital technologies at http://reliableplant.com/Read/30966/iiot-continuous-improvement.