industry of the future
“One of the main qualities for which Italian machine tool machinery manufacturers are typically known is their ability to handle high volumes of production and work across a wide range of components on a single machine”
Mr. Luigi Galdabini, President, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE
market were manufactured in North America, according to Automotive News. Given new regulations demanding fuel-economy improvements, many manufacturers are retooling for new models that employ the latest advanced manufacturing technologies and materials, such as those demonstrated by Comau. The growth is equally robust for the commercial aircraft
industry, which will require tens of thousands of jet engines and other machine parts for the foreseeable future. Boeing (
www.boeing.com), for example, has forecasted a total mar- ket close to $5 trillion, with 35,000 new airplanes in the next 20 years. Airbus (
www.airbus.com), too, is forecasting growth well into the future. In April 2013, it also began construction of a new A320 Family Assembly Line in Alabama, where Airbus expects to eventually employ 1,000 highly skilled workers. And even as growth has been curtailed in some area, such as defense, manufacturers in those sectors are under more pressure to improve effi ciency while maintaining quality. Advanced manufacturing technology has proven a key way of doing just that.
Of those surveyed for the Italian Trade Agency, 56% of manu- facturing leaders said advanced manufacturing technology has improved product quality and reliability, with 54% reporting that it has increased production speeds, 50% reporting that it has lowered production costs and 46% reporting that it has reduced waste. What’s more, 58% said that advanced manufacturing technolo- gies have improved profi tability, with another 38% reporting that it has expanded their ability to serve new markets.
Transportation Equipment While the gains in North American manufacturing are expected
to be felt across a wide range of industries, the US transportation equipment industry is expected to see a disproportionate share of the gains. The transportation equipment industry includes cars,
Advanced Manufacturing is playing a key role in revolutionizing
North American industry, a survey of more than 300 manufacturing leaders on behalf of the Italian Trade Agency shows. In fact, 58% of respondents to the Advanced Manufacturing Survey said that advanced manufacturing technologies have im- proved profi tability. Additionally, 38% said it has expanded their ca- pability to serve new markets and more than 20% reported that it has helped them introduce innovative new products or provided a more sustainable and safe workplace. Approximately 62% of those surveyed said they plan to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities in the next two years.
What Advanced Manufacturing improvement has your company added in the past year?
Automation/robotics
Multitasking machines Innovative, cutting-edge technology
Software-assisted planning, scheduling
Advanced materials
28.5% 26.8% 26.5% 24.4%
01020304050 01020304050
As a result of Advanced Manufacturing measures your company has taken, how has it improved its manufacturing performance?
Improved product quality/reliability Improved production speed Lowered production costs
Reduced waste Increased product complexity/ performance
55.4% 54.1%
50.0% 45.3% 23.6%
What is one Advanced Manufacturing process or technology that, if implemented perfectly, would make your company competitively stronger in 2014 and beyond?
0102030405060 0102030405060
Top 5 Answer Trends 1. Automation and Robotics 2. Software, Data Analysis and Scheduling 3. Rapid/Additive and 3D Printing 4. Metrology, including Quality and Vision 5. Multitasking Machinery
40.1%
1-888-italtrade
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