Technology | Smart Factories
BE SMART
HOW CAN LARGE-FORMAT PSPS BEST PREPARE FOR THE TRANSITION TO THE SMART FACTORIES WE’RE ANTICIPATING? MIKE BOYLE, SVP OF LARGE FORMAT PRINT FOR HP, EXPLORES THE TOPIC.
In an environment where consumer behaviours, regulations and ecommerce channels are rapidly evolving, adaptability is crucial. We’ve learned that - and now we’re starting to see the integration of AI and automated processes into large-scale printing facilities, and the reality of smart factories is getting closer. But how do PSPs get there?
Intelligent production lines are on the rise and most print businesses globally are already automating some processes - helping to navigate issues such as labour shortages, print speed and accuracy, error identifi cation and waste reduction, and enabling them to streamline operations. Automation impacts several aspects of the print process, continuously improving the user experience, the product design of printers, as well as the integration of third-party services and products. As PSPs increasingly run digital print systems around the clock, we expect to see a greater uptake of these automated services, and the arrival of new tools to better meet PSPs’ needs. For instance, by running businesses and print jobs through platforms like HP Print OS, print fi rms can unlock new effi ciencies, through data analysis of operations or by removing repetitive and time-consuming processes. Within the next fi ve years, AI will be playing a much more central role in the intelligent factory, seamlessly connecting print generation with fi nished output. It will produce raw content and print-ready fi les more effi ciently. At the same time, APIs are also expected to create more automation opportunities through all parts of the print and fi nishing process to fulfi lment. Operator intervention won’t be as necessary and there will be more fl exibility in production environments, which will run non-stop as printers will function either without supervision or will be operated remotely. As a result, there will be fewer people involved in the production processes, apart from installers, who will continue to be the delivery agents of solutions.
With better diagnostics and predictive maintenance to fi x problems before they occur, service delivery will be more effi cient. Processes in general will be more transparent and assets better utilised. Achieving this vision of a fully digitalised production ecosystem requires overcoming two critical challenges - standardisation of fi le formats and seamless communication between machines. The ability to work from unifi ed digital fi les containing both technical specifi cations and commercial data will streamline order management and facilitate rapid response to client needs. Similarly,
enhanced connectivity between machines will enable real-time monitoring and optimization of production processes, driving effi ciency and performance. The transition will take several years, but there are specifi c steps that companies in the large-format industry can take to build intelligent factories. They can focus on acting more sustainably. Rather than fully replacing existing machinery, PSPs must prioritise the optimisation of existing technology. A greater focus needs to be placed on the energy effi ciency of printers and on extending the lifespan of hardware through recycling options.
With growing attention to the sourcing of materials and the climate impact of production lines, PSPs also need to keep accurate and real-time records of items entering and leaving the production fl oor. Forward-thinking PSPs should begin the integration of traceability for these elements and fi nished products as soon as possible to stay on top of sustainability reporting and compliance. PSPs should also look to implement automation
ACHIEVING THE VISION OF A FULLY DIGITALISED PRODUCTION
ECOSYSTEM REQUIRES OVERCOMING TWO CRITICAL CHALLENGES
and robotics to manage material fl ows within factories when possible. In an era where product differentiation and on-demand solutions have become essential, the number of substrates, inks, and coatings to be purchased, stored, and used is ever-increasing. This means that effi cient production cannot overlook optimal management of all the fl ows of materials and supplies. Firms can also enhance logistics within printing production fl oors by accommodating new automated transport vehicles. They offer clear benefi ts such as improved inventory management, enhanced productivity, and reduced reliance on human labour, and can help PSPs achieve greater effi ciency and responsiveness to changing demands. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, large-format businesses should look to leverage the power of AI to streamline processes and predict customer demand. With a highly automated infrastructure, PSPs can create a direct line between inbound customer requests and the print machinery, so that work is completed automatically and without human oversight. As AI collects more data it will be able to predict customer demand, especially around big moments such as general elections, thereby ensuring the facility is ready to meet any infl ux of jobs. Early adopters of this technology will be the ones best positioned to transition into becoming smart factories and pave the way ahead for the industry at large.
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