A look inside the factory of the future

tariq.ahmad — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:52:59 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by tariq.ahmad on 10/6/2021 8:52:59 PM

The first Industrial Revolution launched the phenomenon of mass production and the second Industrial Revolution launched the miracle of electricity. Today, with the help of the Internet of Things and new technologies, engineers are making inroads in launching the next industrial revolution, beginning with the factory of the future.

The idea behind the factory of the future is to bring research and advanced automation technologies into the production environment to develop new manufacturing processes and systems. Research groups around the world are on the hunt for these innovations that will shape the third industrial revolution.

Research hubs have emerged around the world with the means to experiment with digital technologies and manufacturing machinery. Their objective is simple: to create the new infrastructure of production.

On Chicago’s Goose Island, the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute is developing an operating system for cyberphysical manufacturing as well as a communications framework for intelligent machines.

In Australia, Swineburne University of Technology’s Advanced Manufacturing and Design Center is giving undergraduate students access to design, manufacturing, machining, innovation and research efficiency studios to produce prototypes.

Meanwhile in Chemnitz, Germany, a hub simply named Factory of the Future is focused on redefining the role of humans in factories.

Popular Concepts

While hundreds of concepts are being studied at these hubs, there are a handful of popular concepts being tested across the industry.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality is being used in the early stages of design to create training environments for engineers to test new systems. Chemnitz’s Factory of the Future utilizes VR technology to simulate a factory setting that employees can view and explore. When the technology detects head movement it switches the view of the factory accordingly throughout the experience.

Automation

In addition to production and packaging, automated logistics operations are the focus of many robotic initiatives, including Pan Robots, where engineers are using on-board cameras, laser scanners, 3D maps, and intelligent systems to improve a variety of warehouse procedures.

New materials

Engineers are exploring new product properties using innovative materials, like nanoparticles in the medical field. As nanotechnology finds a new home in pharmaceutical factories, nanoparticles could soon play a significant role in developing new methods of drug delivery and diagnosis.

Sustainability

Engineers are devising new ways for future factories to incorporate sustainable methods for repurposing waste. For example, a factory that produces sugar beet products in Norfolk, England has begun using heat waste to warm a greenhouse and carbon-monoxide emissions to aid in photosynthesis.

The Future of Industrial Engineering

With nearly 300,000 factories in the U.S. alone, it’s clear that introducing new manufacturing processes to the industry will not happen quickly. However, once adopted, these new processes will clear the path for more efficient, structured and organized manufacturing. As these fast-paced factories become more digitally connected, they will be capable of collecting higher volumes of data in the transfer of information to all areas across the supply chain. In addition, the streamlined processes will lead to a more advanced value chain and a more skilled workforce.

As engineers carry us into the third Industrial Revolution, manufacturing and warehouse facilities around the world will see advanced processes, streamlined operations and new technologies fit for a factory of the future.