advanced manufacturing, traditional manufacturing, manufacturing, digital manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is always evolving, requiring manufacturers to quickly respond to industry change and make a strong commitment to efficiency in every aspect of business to stay competitive. Advanced manufacturing refers to the use of innovative technologies to create new products, refine existing products, and perform production activities that will improve the quality and process of manufacturing to give manufacturers a competitive edge. 

When most people picture a manufacturing workspace, they imagine a basic factory where raw materials are made into a finished product through mechanized and manual fabrication techniques. This is traditional manufacturing, which is based on the use of dedicated plant and production lines with little to no flexibility. Hard products like steel and automotive parts are often thought of as those that are traditionally manufactured or produced but are rapidly adopting innovative and advanced technologies. Advanced manufacturing, however, is a more sophisticated type of manufacturing typically more closely associated with industries, such as aerospace, medical and pharmaceutical. Advanced manufacturing involves progressive research and development, labor skill, scaling, and dynamic and flexible production. 

The goal of advanced manufacturing is to increase output while optimizing value, quality, market responsiveness and flexibility. Advanced manufacturing also aims to reduce time to market, material inventory and content and unit quantities. With digital manufacturing on the rise, the adoption of advanced manufacturing is essential to success for manufacturers. 

Examples of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

The list of advanced manufacturing technologies is robust and includes:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Machine learning
  • Digital twin
  • Robotics and automation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Nanotechnology
  • Advanced materials
  • Network and connectivity (IoT)
  • Laser machining

In the case of robotics and automation, these systems allow for heavier lifting, more precise movement, and enhanced consistency across a high number of production units, making them crucial on the list of advanced manufacturing techniques. Robotics are also valuable for performing more hazardous tasks.

Additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, powder-bed laser printing, and fused deposition modeling, are able to create highly complex assemblies from one continuous material. This helps manufacturers reduce failure points in a system, while also decreasing weight, complexity, thermal dissipation problems and other inhibitors. 

Network and IT integration allow for internet access within all aspects of manufacturing, providing instant notification when an issue arises. This integration aids manufacturers in making preventative repairs instead of reactive repairs, saving them time and money. 

Each of these advanced manufacturing processes play a valuable part in helping manufacturers work more safely and efficiently. 

Industries Utilizing Advanced Manufacturing Techniques

Advanced manufacturing systems are and will continue to be valuable to essentially all industries moving forward, though some industries are already leading the way in the experimentation and deployment of advanced manufacturing technology. Industries currently at the forefront of advanced manufacturing include:

Benefits of Advanced Manufacturing Processes

Regardless of industry, advanced manufacturing techniques prove valuable in many ways. Top benefits include:

  • Improved product quality – The precision, consistency, and overall efficiency of advanced manufacturing processes lead to product quality that is more reliable, available and affordable. 
  • Smarter resource management – Advanced manufacturing aids in leaner production efforts by automating manufacturing tasks so personnel can focus on more innovative projects. 
  • Reduced production timelines – The flexibility and optimized planning and scheduling involved in advanced manufacturing allow for better market responsiveness. 
  • Innovation – When manufacturing efforts are more automated and cost-effective, resources can be more focused on research and development, allowing for new and exciting goods to be brought to market.

Solutions for Companies Using Advanced Manufacturing Systems

Another benefit of advanced manufacturing is that it’s likely to put small and large companies on a more level playing field. While the number of employees and available manufacturing space a manufacturer has can make a big difference in overall output today, having advanced management systems that provide the best fit can make a smaller company more competitive regardless of other factors, allowing them to pull ahead of larger companies that are slow to adopt advanced manufacturing techniques.

An Enterprise Resource Planning system — and specifically ERP for manufacturers — allows companies of all sizes to be more competitive and efficient in all stages of manufacturing, from supply chain to shop floor. QAD helps manufacturers adapt and thrive amid an ever-evolving industry landscape, providing the tools to change rapidly in the face of inevitable business disruptions and be flexible enough for tomorrow’s business environment.

Learn more about the power of an Adaptive Manufacturing Enterprise.

1 COMMENT

  1. Most valuable and fantastic blog I really appreciate the work which you have done, many thanks, and keep it up. Very useful info. Hope to see more posts soon! I really like to read this post, it shares lots of information with readers.

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