Machinery Building: The Future’s Bright – The Future’s Standard Components
17/09/2020 norelem LTD
Designing machinery for future performance is always difficult, with many different factors to consider such as emerging technology, manufacturing and assembly. To reduce the uncertainty, it is always advisable to use standard components, explains Martin Ahner, Product Trainer and Head of norelem ACADEMY.
Future-proofing your machinery and components is now becoming increasingly popular within the manufacturing and engineering industry. Ensuring efficient processes are put in place to minimise disruption and interruptions is vital, as production interruptions means product delays. In turn, this leads to frustrated customers and consumers.
Guaranteeing future performance of your most prized assets is especially difficult when using bespoke parts. In five, ten, or twenty years’ time, these custom components may no longer be available, and it is almost a complete guessing game as to whether you will be able to replace those components if they fail, or if the machine will need to be renewed entirely.
Given the constant pressure for manufacturers to innovate and for design engineers to create those visions and machinery, the use of standard components can help make those ideas a reality. Not only this, but standard components can help extend the lifespan of a machine and increase its return on investment.
Trends in future-proofing machinery
All companies are potentially at risk when it comes to machinery downtime and production standstill, which is why future-proofing processes are essential. This includes processes such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing, robotics and automation, IoT investments and even wearable technology.
In some instances, new technologies open the door for progressive manufacturers to release truly innovative offerings of their own. But choosing which ones are best for you is tricky and clearly needs reason for such investment.
3D printing has allowed the manufacturing and engineering industry to leap forward into a new age of technology and efficiency. By being an additive process, 3D manufacturing reduces material waste, as well as processing time and required equipment. That being said, there are some factors which may not suit certain companies, such as design inaccuracies, copyright issues and also a reduction in manufacturing jobs, resulting in processes having less of a human touch.
Robotics and automation also have similar advantages and disadvantages; it can bring efficiency, reliability and consistent output and lower production costs; however, it does require hefty investment costs as well as bring job uncertainty for employees.
Challenges in future-proofing machinery
To protect themselves from potentially catastrophic global disruptions, manufacturers need to take measures to ensure the flexibility and resilience of their manufacturing operations. This means that you need to move your manufacturing supply chain from a globalised approach, to a more localised one.
A large investment is also a key challenge for manufactures in order to upgrade to the next digital age. Ensuring your data and technology is based on a platform that can accommodate the latest technology, is crucial.
However, investing in new technology is the way of the future. Anything that’s true of the benefits of intelligent and flexible automation in normal circumstances is doubly true now: it enables more efficiency, lowers cost, increases output and quality – and importantly, it lowers reliance on manual labour.[1]
Mechanical standard components do not require a wealth of expert knowledge from the outset - they can be easily operated with basic knowledge, which can be helpful for companies who want to future-proof their process.
The uses and benefits of standard components in engineering and machinery building
A report published by McKinsey on future-proofing operations states ‘New market dynamics and technology trends are emerging at an increasing pace. These rapid developments are driving the importance and urgency of mastering matters related to product complexity, demand fluctuation, and asset utilisation.’[2]
Although it’s vital for companies to be running efficiently, it’s also crucial machinery and production lines are reliable without any issues or delay. The use of standard components, whether for new or old machinery, can reduce retooling times, tooling changes or even the time to swap out workpieces for machining or fabrication.
This then improves productivity, extends machinery lifespans and reduces downtime. By using standard components, you are future-proofing your operations and machinery.
Tools, knowledge and assets that engineers need to future-proof machines
The skills gap within the manufacturing industry is not a new development, especially in recent years. It’s a challenge for every engineer to work in a new area where new knowledge must be
acquired. Due to the existing shortage of skilled workers, companies must internally train their employees to gain new skills for new technology.
The future of a business is always reflected in the innovative strength of its products. Only by accepting new trends and putting them in practice can a company grow and survive on the market.
There will always be a place for standard components, and by learning how to use these efficiently, engineers can increase their skills and select the right components for the right applications. They can even go on to transfer this knowledge to build fully automated machines or production lines and eventually begin the journey of future-proofing the manufacturing process.
Although machines are getting smarter and are increasingly networked with each other to pass on certain information to generate an optimal workflow, it’s important to have standard components in order to progress with certainty and reassurance into a new phase of technology.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt manufacturing companies are now starting to shift towards a more digital way of working. With several options to take to future-proof operations and machinery, it’s important to ensure you are investing in reliable products and systems.
Standard components which can be configured or tailored to different applications are a cost-effective method to future-proofing. Extremely flexible, they can cater to a wide range of requirements while reducing complexity of machinery building and maintenance. norelem sees itself as a system supplier and full range provider with a goal to provide the designer with all the products they need. The focus is not on the individual component, but on the complete package so that the designer has everything from a single source.
The norelem ACADEMY offers effective and individual instruction with its own training platform, and is designed to support pupils, students and specialists with free expert lectures on all aspects of mechanical engineering.
For in-depth product knowledge, the ACADEMY helps engineers to understand product innovations more quickly through application examples. In micro-learning units, the user can quickly see all information and examples of how the product is also used in practice.
For products that require more explanation, norelem ACADEMY offers product training on specific products and standard parts. The integration of the standard parts in construction is crucial for a competitive product.
To find out more about norelem’s range of standard components, visit: www.norelem.co.uk
[1] https://www.manufacturingglobal.com/leadership/future-proofing-production-covids-impact-manufacturing
[2] https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Operations/Our%20Insights/Future%20proofing%20operations%20Low%20volume%20high%20complexity%20industries/Future-proofing-operations-Low-volume-high-complexity-industries.pdf
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