Top 5 Benefits of Implementing Automation in the Manufacturing Industry
Productivity in manufacturing seems overwhelming, time-consuming, and scary, no matter what the company manufactures. Sometimes, poor productivity leads to long-term or irreversible loss to the manufacturing unit.
Industry owners try different techniques to prevent losses but aren’t always successful. The only solution that has been proven effective is automation. Automation in the manufacturing industry means using technologies such as robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, and computer-controlled equipment to automate the process and operation of manual production.
In this post, we will discuss the benefits of implementing automation in the manufacturing industry.
Controls product quality
In the manufacturing industry, quality check is very important before the product is released in the market. Through automation, high-quality products are distributed in the market as human laborers don’t check flaws in them manually.
Using video and thermal sensors, the product quality is checked at every stage of the product life cycle, and the process is completed without any human interaction. Automation considers all the parameters and generates alerts while identifying the source of the issue.
Increases inventory management efficiency
Today, inventory management is automated in almost every manufacturing unit. IoT devices are used for inventory management, making the process seamless and efficient. An RFID tag is attached to every item in the inventory that collects and shares digital information about the products.
The data collected helps calculate the type and quantity of raw materials needed for completing the product life cycle, reducing product waste and cost.
Helps in scheduling maintenance effectively
Generally, manufacturers incorporate time-based practices and approaches for maintaining maintenance schedules for equipment and machinery. But, these practices fail regularly.
Automation in the manufacturing industry refers to using industrial IoT for predictive maintenance, avoiding ineffective maintenance schedules. IoT sensors attached to equipment track the operating environment to determine maintenance needs. If the repair and service of equipment is prompt, it saves money and avoids downtime.
Ensures the safety of the workers
Manufacturing units are not always safe for the workers, so their safety is the priority. Through automation, it becomes easy to retain high safety standards for the workers as machines are used to perform dangerous jobs.
Wearable automation and IoT devices regularly monitor the workers’ health, ensuring their safety until they are in the manufacturing premises. These devices identify workers’ exposure to harmful fumes, fatigue, heart rate, stress level and things around them affecting their health. They also prevent workplace accidents and injuries.
Tracks the asset effectively
Previously, we discussed that automation and IoT devices improve the effectiveness of manufacturing activities. Other than this, automation helps in managing and tracking the assets effectively. Before automation, asset tracking was done manually, which was hectic and costly.
Automated tracking ensures reliability, extended service life, proper asset usage, and best returns on assets. The systems used for tracking keep a record of commonly used tools and assets using a wide range of sensors. Proper tracking increases manufacturing efficiency and reduces workers’ manual efforts.
Bottom Line
The benefits of automation in the manufacturing industry are limitless. So, if you want to implement automation in your manufacturing unit, contact Margor Automation, a reputable automation engineering company in Toronto, CA.
