Why Digital Machine Tracking is Better Than Manual Tracking

Digital technology has infiltrated nearly every facet of modern life. However, manufacturing facilities are slow to get in on the high-tech action. IIoT is becoming more prevalent, but some factories still rely on manual processes. Just take a look at machine tracking.

Manual machine tracking is pretty common despite the availability of digital alternatives. If you're still one of those holdouts using manual monitoring, here are some reasons why it's time to consider digitizing manufacturing processes like tracking.

Manual Tracking Wastes Resources

Have you ever considered how many resources you're using with manual tracking? Some facilities are hesitant to switch to digital because they fear that it'll cost an arm and a leg. Digitization is an investment, but the savings outweigh what you're already spending.

Manual tracking requires human intervention. You likely have staff who gather, organize and interpret the data. It involves a ton of mundane work. Consider switching to digital systems instead of using payroll to cover those costs. Digital tracking handles monotonous duties like this, freeing your staff to work on more complex, high-value work.

Digital Tracking is More Accurate

Accuracy can be a major issue with manual tracking. Even the most prepared and alert staff member can get things wrong. It's human nature to miss small details. But here's the issue: Small mistakes can lead to significant expenses.

Digitizing manufacturing processes like this improves accuracy better than anything else. Digital systems are incredibly reliable. They establish ground truth, keeping everyone on the same page and making your data more precise across the board. That means more confident decision-making and risk mitigation.

Digitization is Scaleable

Finally, digital machine tracking is scaleable. You can only grow as much as your labor budget and scheduling permits when you do manual processes. It doesn't seem like an issue now, but imagine how big of a problem it can be when you're ready to grow your operations.

Digital tracking systems are far easier to expand, allowing you to scale your operations as you see fit.

If you're still doing manual tracking, it's time to upgrade! Technology is more accessible than ever, allowing you to take advantage of these benefits and more.

Read a similar article about improve OEE here at this page.

How Increasing Manufacturing Sustainability Can Decrease Carbon Emission

We're in the midst of a climate crisis, and factories worldwide are doing their best to reduce their impact on the planet. It seems like a fruitless effort given the massive carbon footprints old manufacturing facilities had.

But modern factories are much better. Everything from eco-conscious design to greener materials is making a difference. That's not all.

One overlooked way of reducing carbon emissions is by focusing on manufacturing sustainability. It has more of a positive impact than most realize.

What is Manufacturing Sustainability?

Most people see "sustainability" and automatically picture greener materials and more earth-friendly factory processes. However, manufacturing sustainability is a bit different. It refers to production yield and ongoing productivity.

Sustained manufacturing is about working at peak performance to maximize yield.

Why You Should Increase Manufacturing Sustainability

Why does this all matter? More productivity seems like it would only increase carbon emissions at face value. But in reality, that's not the case.

Sustainability helps to reduce yield losses. It limits waste and prevents factories from producing not quite perfect products (NQPP) and defective goods. Anything that doesn't meet production benchmarks gets tossed, taking up more room in a landfill.

Not only that, but factories have to go back and try again! That leads to more energy usage and a sudden influx in carbon emissions. Remanufacturing can take its toll and significantly increase emissions.

Other issues arise from equipment failure. Unplanned downtime, unnecessary machine idling, and operating at reduced speeds can lead to a bigger carbon footprint. Factories that aren't operating at capacity will have to work overtime or utilize more energy to push equipment to its limit.

Both situations are undesired.

How to Increase Manufacturing Sustainability

The important thing in manufacturing sustainability is keeping the equipment in good shape. It's about monitoring performance, being proactive about potential problems, and fine-tuning operations to waste as few resources as possible.

The goal is to do things right the first time to avoid remanufacturing and substantial yield losses. With the right technology in place and automation by your side, you can turn your factory into a highly efficient facility and do your part to save the planet.

Read a similar article about digital transformation in manufacturing here at this page.

What is IIoT?

You may have heard of IoT in recent years as more and more devices have become connected to the Internet. IoT, or Internet of Things, encompasses networked devices that can be accessed or monitored remotely through the web.

IoT can include everything from smartphones and desktops to refrigerators and doorbell cameras. Using IoT technology, users can control devices in real-time and receive notifications about a device’s performance or the conditions in which the device is operating.

IoT in Industrial Applications

While IoT is great for managing a smart home or small office space, industrial applications require a slightly different approach. This is where the industrial Internet of things comes in. Industrial Internet of things (IIoT) technology involves networked machinery that may be located on a job site, in a manufacturing facility, or spread out across a number of sites.

These devices and machines are all networked and connected, allowing business owners, factory workers, safety managers, and others in an industrial setting to get real-time updates about the functionality of these components as a whole.

IIoT Can Improve Productivity

One of the biggest benefits of utilizing IIoT technology is that it can improve productivity. An example of this can be found in the monitoring of forklifts on an industrial warehouse production floor. In a traditional setting, a forklift that experiences an issue may require the driver to walk to a reporting station, make a call for assistance, and then wait until a technician arrives to make changes to the forklift’s diagnostics.

Using IIoT, the problem can be automatically reported to a control center where a repair technician can dispatch a firmware update or code repair within minutes. This can be sent directly to the forklift or any other machinery that experiences a similar problem as long as the device is connected to the on-site IIoT and is capable of receiving and implementing remote patches. Using this technology, people can get back to work faster, and repair costs can be lowered at the same time.

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