Automation is central to modern manufacturing. Integrated technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) automate processes from order to production.
This isn’t just about enhancing productivity—it's also about fostering innovation and sustainability. Automated systems reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and save time, allowing human workers to focus on creative and strategic tasks.
However, while the appetite for automation is strong, implementation is complex. It requires multiple technologies to function in concert, from sales to the factory floor.
This article explores manufacturing automation, how it works, and strategies for implementation.
Manufacturing automation applies technology to streamline production processes and reduce human labor. Spending on automation is reaching an all-time high, forecast to account for 25% of industrial expenditures over the next five years.
The main goals of automation are to increase production speed, reduce costs, and deliver higher-quality, customizable products. The benefits are well-established, with more than 90% of workers reporting that automation boosts their productivity and 85% saying it enhances collaboration, according to Harvard Business Review.
In recent years, automation has evolved, catering to rocketing demand for customized, made-to-order products. For example, Deloitte found that more than 50% of consumers are interested in customized products. The same report found they’re also willing to pay a premium for them and ideally want to play a part in the design process, too.
But how does that impact automation? Well, conventional fixed automation (also known as hard automation) handles singular, fixed tasks—as is the case for production lines that create the same product every time. That can be cumbersome for manufacturers managing custom projects.
To align with modern demand for product personalization, manufacturers must adopt new approaches to automating design and production.
Ideally, newer automation systems are easily adjusted to customized or small-batch product designs without long pauses for equipment updates. Processes are interconnected and managed through software systems to support customizable, made-to-order products. That includes everything from sales and product design through to engineering and manufacturing.
Before we investigate how to achieve this, let's explore the benefits of manufacturing automation in more detail.
Let’s move on to explore how different technologies support automated, flexible manufacturing.
L'Internet des objets (IoT)
IoT technology lays the foundation for cutting-edge manufacturing automation. It creates a network of interconnected devices and sensors throughout the factory.
The number of sensors in modern industrial plants is colossal. For example, a modern off-shore oil rig features some 350,000 to 500,00 individual sensors.
The role of IoT includes:AI and Machine Learning
IoT data means nothing without a system that understands it.
AI and machine learning technologies handle vast quantities of data, including those created by IoT technologies.
There are hundreds of ways to use IoT data with AI, for example:Robotics
Robotic manufacturing technology involves industrial robots, such as robotic arms on car production lines, and collaborative robots (cobots) that work with humans.
Cobots are designed to work closely alongside humans, acting as an extra arm or pair of hands.
La fabrication additive
Additive manufacturing, including 3D printing, is often used to create customized parts. This method supports flexible, on-demand production and reduces material waste.
A well-integrated manufacturing system functions with minimal human input, but it requires software like advanced CPQ solutions to do so.
Solutions CPQ act as the layer between the business and manufacturing floor, streamlining every process from sales to the finished product rolling off the production line.
Here's a breakdown of what they do:In essence, CPQ connects sales, engineering, and manufacturing teams. This innovative software solution helps businesses meet demand for personalized, customized products while supporting automation on and off the factory floor.
CPQ automates processes across manufacturing, design, engineering, and sales. It optimizes workflows, ensuring that complex product configurations are handled precisely.
Here are the key benefits:Using a combination of AI, IoT, and software like CPQ, automation transforms manufacturing.
CPQ bridges the gaps between sales, the design phase, and production. It simplifies product configuration and pricing, supporting sales, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
Additionally, CPQ systems automate CAD processes, which improve production speed and accuracy.
It’s the missing link in many businesses' manufacturing automation ecosystems.
What do you mean by manufacturing automation?
Manufacturing automation refers to using various control systems, automated machinery, and software technologies to automate production processes in a manufacturing facility.
This can include assembly, material handling, quality control, and packaging tasks to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and increase production rates.
What is an example of automation in manufacturing?
An example of factory automation in manufacturing is robotic arms in car assembly lines.
In an automated manufacturing system, robots and other automation tools can perform tasks such as welding, painting, and assembling parts with high precision and speed, significantly increasing productivity and ensuring consistent product quality.
What is manufacturing system automation?
Manufacturing system automation integrates various automated technologies and systems to create a cohesive and efficient manufacturing process.
This includes machines, robots, and software that control production, manage inventory, and handle supply chain logistics.
What is the role of automation in manufacturing?
The role of intelligent automation in smart manufacturing is to streamline production processes, reduce labor-intensive tasks, enhance product quality, and increase efficiency.
Industrial automation also plays a crucial role in reducing operational costs, improving safety, and enabling manufacturers to respond more quickly to market changes.
What are the four (4) types of industrial automation?
The four main types of industrial automation in manufacturing are:How does CPQ integrate with manufacturing automation?
CPQ systems are an essential automation solution that integrates with advanced manufacturing automation by bridging the gap between customer order configuration and actual production. This helps a manufacturing company bridge the gap between sales and production.
CPQ systems help customize products efficiently by translating customer needs into manufacturing instructions. They often work in conjunction with CAD systems to streamline the entire process from product design to production.
What benefits does CPQ bring to automated manufacturing?
CPQ systems enhance process automation in manufacturing by reducing the time from order to production, minimizing errors in product specifications, and ensuring that the manufacturing process aligns with customer requirements.
Process automation involves everything from generating technical documents to facilitating inventory management, contributing to a more efficient and responsive manufacturing cycle. This allows the manufacturing sector to connect the gap between sales and production.
Can CPQ systems improve supply chain management in the manufacturing industry?
Absolutely. CPQ systems provide accurate information on product configurations and requirements in real-time. This helps plan and manage materials and resources.
Surveys reveal that deploying automation technology across multiple parts of the business, such as on the factory floor and in sales, leads to higher automation success overall.
CPQ supports automation technology, leading to more efficient production scheduling, reduced inventory costs, and a more streamlined supply chain./p>
Production automation benefits from production-ready CAD drawings and BOMs, which CPQ delivers. CPQ also integrates into other software, such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), via the industrial internet./p>