Published 11/15/2019

Automation Is for Small Manufacturers

Although there is constant talk about Industry 4.0 and automation, many smaller manufacturers I speak with are challenged with understanding and implementing these concepts. I came across this white paper that breaks down how to use available networking and automation technology to compete like the big guys.

Christina Fuges

Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology

New technology means that smaller businesses have access to a huge amount of capability that may have been too large an investment in the past to consider. Automation also reduces the cost of manufacturing meaning companies don’t need a huge turn over to be viable and competitive. The networking of older machines can be achieved at relatively low cost, and the production benefits can be huge.

A report by Deloitte shows high performing manufacturers outperform their competition not because they’re bigger, but because they leverage brand, reputation, new markets and customers, and advancing technology. To use available networking and automation technology focus on quality, break down the experience barriers, increase production, harness automation for your own production boom and shout from the top of the internet.

Let’s consider tool manufacturing for grinding. It’s quality that counts, and smaller companies are now able to run production which automatically measures and corrects tool grinding precision to ensure that accuracy is no less than the very best. If you have the right machine and the right software, you can grind a wide variety of tools without having specialist knowledge about them, or previous experience with that tool type.

Even though you may be smaller, automation can really boost your production output. Long gone are the (long) days where machines must be manned all the time, and all the weekend. By networking and automating your existing systems you can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in ‘lights out’ mode.

Not only can production be automated but your whole process can benefit from machine networking. Integrate your ordering, invoicing and dispatch to reduce administration and allow flexible work. You’ll gather insights into your whole process from end to end, making it faster for you to adapt and change to different market pressures. With a finger on the pulse of your production, you can optimize it and watch it take off.