FORMING AND FABRICATING AUTOMATION From Data to Decisions: How Smarter Factories Will Shape Manufacturing W ith the expectation that revenue will rise into 2026, proactive manufacturers will prioritize investments in innovative technology in order to capture momentum and fortify resilience.
LISTEN: Manufacturing Needs More Automation and Robotics
altering material grades without disrupting production. By miti- gating risks and reducing costs, digital twins foster innovation, which is why 70% of technology leaders at large enterprises are actively exploring or investing. Beyond virtual tools, smart factories also leverage physical innovations such as cobots, which can assist with repetitive and physically demanding tasks such as loading heavy blanks into presses, stacking finished metal components or pallet - izing stamped parts. By handling these tasks, cobots reduce ergonomic risks for workers, speed up processing times and improve overall throughput. Combining human expertise with machine intelligence, smart factory technologies are enabling metal formers to drive effi - ciency, enhance safety and remain competitive.
Manufacturers can sustain growth by embracing decentral- ized systems and integrating artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered smart factories. These approaches can streamline processes and boost overall productivity. Honing the focus within the shop floor, manufacturers are transforming their facilities into smart factories by embrac- ing Industry 4.0 technologies, to stay flexible, connected and proactive. Tools such as big-data analytics, AI, digital twin and collaborative robots (cobots) drive innovation and reduce labor costs, while digitizing operations. Big-data analytics play a pivotal role by collecting and interpreting vast datasets from machinery, sensors and production lines. These insights allow manufacturers to identify inefficiencies, optimize energy use and implement cost-saving measures. AI is just one part of the smart factory revolution, with other technologies, such as digital twins, addressing critical chal- lenges specific to metal forming. For example, adjusting tooling for a new product or process carries both cost and risk. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical products or processes—allow manufacturers to simulate these changes in a digital environ- ment. This approach enables metal formers to test die adjust- ments, optimize press performance or evaluate the effects of
W
ith 40-plus yr. of experience in machinery automation and robotics, former SME chair Bob Lossi discusses
with PMA’s Dean Phillips the critical need for increased automation and robotics to keep manufacturers competitive and successful.
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