Pacific manufacturing is cutting edge, often pioneering technology before it dominates the manufacturing industry.
The current wave of the industrial revolution – Industry 4.0, proves why the adoption of technology is vital for manufacturing success. The west coast not only encourages technology but is working towards finding better ways to integrate manufacturing and technology.
Here are the trends most talked about within pacific manufacturing.
Employee Safety
Employee safety has always been a key priority within the manufacturing world, think heavy machinery. However, in the wake of COVID-19, it has taken on a new meaning. In addition to safety protocols for employees, companies now look for guidance on keeping employees healthy. Social distancing, rigorous sanitization, frequent testing are now the new normal but a lot of companies are bringing in extra measures like in-sourcing, adding cobots to complete small tasks, and using digital means to communicate to maintain a safe environment.
Sustainability
Sustainability within manufacturing is essential for long term success. While the world works to create recyclable and biodegradable materials, one way manufacturing along the pacific coast has adopted sustainability is by locally sourcing as much as possible. By diversifying your supplier base, you minimize risk within the supply chain.
IoT
IoT or The Internet of Things is all devices that connect to the internet. In 2021 it is estimated that there will be 13.9 billion IoT devices in the world. What does this mean for the future of manufacturing? Devices that can connect to other devices brings along numerous advantages, but biggest gain for the manufacturing industry is being able to use these devices for predictive maintenance. In 2020, 98% of organizations say that one hour of downtime costs them $100,000. Efficiency is key and fixing things before they break saves companies time, energy, and money.
Additive Manufacturing
Lastly, the industry that is most likely to grow is additive manufacturing. While 3D printing has been around for decades, it’s use within the automotive and aerospace industries prove its longevity. Durable tooling has been made faster and cheaper with the use of 3D printers. Making molds on site is a benefit to all companies using additive manufacturing.
To learn more about west coast manufacturing, attend WESTEC 2021.