The manufacturing sector has long relied on technology for the efficient production of goods. One obvious example is cars, which are largely built with the aid of robotic technology, though humans remain an essential part of the manufacturing puzzle.
Even Elon Musk, creator of the fully electric Tesla, admitted that his idea for a completely automated manufacturing process wasn’t feasible and that human workers were “underrated.” While studies reveal that a mere 1.3% of companies have incorporated robotics into their operations, technology continues to evolve and its impact is growing.
With this in mind, let’s explore six key industrial technology trends shaping the future of manufacturing.
A smart manufacturing facility utilizes “different combinations of modern technologies to create a hyperflexible, self-adapting manufacturing capability.” The benefits of facilities of this type include the integration of data analytics into processes and interlinked machines and systems that share information between one another.
Highly detailed data—such as machinery performance and product quality—is now commonly gathered through built-in sensors. These sensors may be added during initial manufacturing or later through retrofitting.
An integral aspect of the smart facility is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The IIoT “uses the power of smart machines and real-time analytics to take advantage of the data that ‘dumb machines’ have produced in industrial settings for years.”
Intelligent equipment is generally better able to collect and analyze data on the fly than human beings, making for more efficient operations. It also allows for greater control over supply chains, sustainable processes, and other facets of manufacturing.
Public attitudes toward green operations have led many organizations worldwide to implement sustainable practices in increasing numbers, from setting science-based carbon emission limits to using recycled materials for product packaging.
These initiatives often go beyond surface-level changes, influencing everything from energy-efficient equipment upgrades to supply chain decisions that prioritize local sourcing and waste reduction.
Though 3D printing was in use before COVID-19, the pandemic caused major issues in global supply chains, creating the need for medical equipment and related components to be created locally and efficiently. As a result, more companies embraced 3D printing as a flexible, cost-effective solution. Its continued use is helping organizations produce higher-quality goods while also supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices.
The robots that assemble cars can complete specified tasks repeatedly, but they don’t adapt well when new conditions or parts are introduced into the process. Artificial intelligence may enable a robot to recognize that an object is not supposed to be on an assembly line and remove it, for example.
AI is also being used to predict when machinery will need servicing. Predictive maintenance, as it’s called, enables a company to plan ahead for any repairs that their equipment may need, minimizing costly downtime. The overall goal is greater efficiency.
While digital technologies undoubtedly enhance the manufacturing process, their computer-based nature makes them vulnerable to hackers. Recent efforts to make supply chains more secure from cyber security attacks include the recent establishment of guidelines by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These guidelines help organizations secure their networks and data, minimizing the risk of costly breaches and disruptions to production.
UT Permian Basin’s AACSB-accredited College of Business can help you stay ahead of the trends in industrial technology while you hone vital expertise you can apply toward your career. Our online bachelor’s degree programs in industrial technology provide a broad foundation in general education topics that every individual needs for success. They also help you develop skills tailored to your specific industrial technology discipline.
Choose from:
Gain a working knowledge of how to manage industrial operations for almost any organization. Read more about this online program now.
Build the skillset to manage industrial and technical issues for just about any organization, with expertise in essential management concepts, supply chain management, optimization theory, and more. Read more about this online program now.
To expand your industrial technology knowledge and credentials to the petroleum industry, consider adding a 12-credit online undergraduate certificate in petroleum technology to this Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Industrial Technology program without extending the time to complete your degree.
With their technological focus, it’s only fitting that all these programs are delivered in a 100% online asynchronous format. The advantages to learning online are significant: You can complete your coursework from virtually any location—from Athens, Georgia to Athens, Greece—on your own schedule.
Earning a respected university degree doesn’t need to interfere with your personal and professional responsibilities! Program courses are based on the same curriculum and are taught by the same doctoral-level professors who teach them at the UTPB campus.
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