Before we address today’s testing trends, let’s look at the impact of the pandemic. The pandemic also created conditions that stressed manufacturers and caused major shifts in the way consumers purchase products, experts say.
A Growing Number of Manufacturers are Using Deep Learning Tools, a Subset of Artificial Intelligence, to Reduce Waste and Improve production. But, Experts Say, Some of it is Just Hype.
An increasing number of manufacturers are turning to deep learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), to assist in image analysis processing, experts say.
As additive manufacturing (AM) applications are more widely adopted, processes and material specifications, testing and inspection requirements are all gaining importance.
Collaborative robots helped manufacturers keep production lines running during the pandemic. They're accessible to small- and medium- sized businesses. And their simplicity just may help to shrink the skills gap.
Collaborative robots, or cobots, help humans and robots work together safely. Small, medium and large companies are increasingly choosing these human-friendly versions over traditional industrial robots, which are complex to use and are typically relegated to safety cages.
Predictive tools, standardized data, and self-learning production systems can go a long way in helping manufacturers save energy and minimize their environmental footprints.
As energy becomes more expensive and sustainability more prized, manufacturers are under the gun to reduce energy consumption. Process monitoring, which standardizes and optimizes manufacturing processes— helps to make this possible in the age of Industry 4.0.
Manufacturers are increasingly participating in EHSQ programs. They realize that worker well-being, operational excellence, and compliance aren’t only ethically important, they’re also good business: Organizations with excellent safety, health, and environmental programs outperformed the S&P 500 by 3-5 percent.
Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (HHXRF) analyzers verify materials quickly, reliably and cost-efficiently. They can identify a material’s elemental makeup within seconds, making it easier for manufacturers to select the right metal grades and tolerances for their needs.
The single most important thing manufacturing leaders can do to engage their employees is to share the ‘why’ behind their daily work, says Kathleen Skarvan, CEO at New Prague, MN-based Electromed—Quality’s 2021 Plant of the Year.
Even in a normal year, achieving high levels of quality is no small feat; it's a daily challenge that requires buy-in from everyone. This year, as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on supply chains, worker safety and consumer demand, maintaining high levels of quality became a nearly superhuman feat.