Introduction
As we approach the fourth industrial revolution, it’s important to understand how these technologies can help shape the future of manufacturing. Sheet metal manufacturing is no exception. In this article, we’ll explore how these elements fit into the sheet metal industry so that you can see what’s possible in your own shop.
IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity. The IoT allows these objects to collect and exchange data through various methods. When it comes to manufacturing, IoT can be used in many ways:
To monitor equipment performance and quality control
To gather data about production processes
To track products as they move through the factory
But what does this have to do with sheet metal manufacturing? In some cases, using automation can help you improve your production processes by reducing errors and improving productivity. If you’re interested in learning more about how automation could work for your business or nonprofit organization check out our free e-book below!
Robots
In sheet metal manufacturing, robots are used for repetitive tasks that require high precision. They can also be used for dangerous or heavy tasks such as welding and cutting. Robots can also be used to perform dexterous tasks like placing parts into a machine.
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems to operate equipment such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers and heat treating ovens, switching in telephone networks and other applications.
These are often complex systems depending on programmable logic controllers (PLC) to perform such functions as sequence control and supervisory control. The key element is that they perform tasks automatically or semi-automatically on a repetitive basis with little or no human intervention.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a subset of machine learning, which uses statistical methods to build a model of data. It can be used for many purposes, including image recognition and natural language processing. AI may be used in sheet metal manufacturing to improve efficiency and productivity, as well as quality and safety.
AI can be applied at any stage of the production process: design, engineering and manufacture; product quality control; or decision making by designers during the design phase that guides manufacturing decisions later on.
Digital Twinning
Digital Twinning is a process that allows you to create a virtual copy of your 3D model. This can be used to improve your manufacturing process, or to help in the design process. It can also be used for maintenance purposes.
For example, if you have a machine in operation and need to replace some components, it’s necessary for sheet metal fabricators and manufacturers to know where the components are located relative to each other before they can actually start working on them. This is where Digital Twinning comes into play – by using this technology, you would be able to create an accurate digital replica of your existing product so that when maintenance work needs done on it in the future (or even during current production), all parties involved will know where everything goes back together again after it has been replaced or repaired
All of these are being used in sheet metal manufacturing.
Automation, IoT and other aspects of Industry 4.0 – how do these fit into sheet metal manufacturing?
The answer to this question is a little complicated but we can help you find out what works best for your company. The key to success is finding the right balance between automation and human labour. This depends on your environment, size of company and many other factors!
Automation is not a goal in itself; it’s simply a tool which allows companies to improve efficiency, quality and flexibility. It is important that you understand how each piece fits together so that you can decide whether or not it will be beneficial for your business model.
Conclusion
In short, these technologies have come to permeate all aspects of manufacturing. There are opportunities for sheet metal manufacturers to capitalise on these developments in a number of ways, from increased productivity and quality control through automation and artificial intelligence, to the ability to use data analysis software tools like Digital Twins. The key is knowing where your business stands and how you can leverage these technologies effectively as part of your overall strategy.
