Feature Article
Technology Trends in the Making by Philip Laney, B&L Information Systems, Inc. D
uring my conversations with metalcasting executives, most are optimistic about the future
of the industry. They are excited about Internet of
Things (IoT) technology
and the opportunities it brings through improved communications and data analytics.
They are excited about
additive manufacturing improvements and breakthroughs. They are excited about technology improvements in their ERP. However, many manufacturing executives are unclear on how overall “technology trends” apply to the everyday business of manufacturing. Some leading edge technologies
could have an impact on the manufacturing sector in the very near future. Many are already part of our daily lives. Following is a list of technology trends which have definite business applications. • Robotic/Human Integration • Vision Systems • Machine Learning • Autonomous Driving • Extended Reality
28 ❘ January 2020 ® Many metal casters have robotic
systems on the plant floor, but the next phase is integrating humans with these systems for even greater productivity. Computer vision cameras are already installed at leading manufacturing companies to catch defective products and route them to a holding bin. Autonomous driving technologies may someday be employed on the plant floor to transfer WIP from operation to operation. Every year top analytical firm
Gartner identifies the top 10 strategic technology trends for businesses.
A
careful reading of Gartner’s 2020 trends list reveals many “up and coming trends” are, in fact, already being used by forward-thinking businesses - including in the manufacturing sector. • Hyper-automation • Multi-experience • Democratization of Expertise • Human Augmentation • Transparency and Traceability • The Empowered Edge • Distributed Cloud
• Autonomous Things • Practical Blockchain • AI Security These tech trends have moved into the manufacturing mainstream. Today, people are interacting with digital technology across multiple modes, including touch, gesture and voice, which is the heart of multi- experience. Right now, technology and software options, including ERP, are democratizing expertise by giving non-IT professionals access to tools and systems that help them apply specialized skills beyond their own knowledge and to share that information. The investment casting industry is already familiar with the need for transparency and traceability for quality and certifications, the extension of that need to other business areas is a natural progression. The focus on edge computing is part of the IoT revolution; one example of that is to bring MES (manufacturing execution systems) to workstations and the shop floor where data and action interact.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
