After an eventful several years, smart manufacturing technology remains at the forefront of manufacturing industry trends for 2024 as facilities continue to explore innovative ways to improve processes and efficiencies while being prepared for disruptions and unpredictable scenarios. Following the upheaval of 2020 and subsequent recovery, 2024 brings a host of new smart manufacturing trends and technology applications that you will want to understand. Here, we will examine those trends and how they can help optimize your operations and contribute to the health and resiliency of your business.
Smart manufacturing trends for 2024
Smart factory trends for 2024 are focused on recovery and the “new normal,” to be sure, but they are also building on developments and advances in technology that have long been in the works — independent of what may have been going on in the world at large. These smart manufacturing trends include:
1. More opportunities for remote and off-site operational work
Safety, flexibility, convenience — the reasons for this trend are numerous and ever-increasing. Even as social distancing has become much less of a concern, facilities are retaining remote work options and continuing to investigate ways to build even greater remote access into their operations — including cloud-based technology, storage and analysis. With the vast amounts of data used in smart manufacturing — coupled with opportunities for off-site operations — adopting cloud-based solutions is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in manufacturing. From sensor monitoring to virtual maintenance and troubleshooting via Industrial Internet of Things and digital twin technology, the industrial world has proven that effective operations are possible even when personnel are not in person at the facility. This trend will only continue to grow as communication technology improves.
2. An increased focus on the partnership between manufacturer and customer
Trust and confidence are two major themes of manufacturing in 2024, as the uncertainty of the past two years has created a need for communication and relationship-building beyond merely transactional, commodified business — regardless of the product. Manufacturers are increasingly expected to act as a true service-providing partner, not simply a means of production. Moreover, the expectations for exemplary quality and error-free production are higher than ever as customers suffer the same bottom-line squeeze as manufacturers, making the need for automation and accuracy mission-critical.
3. Machine health and condition monitoring with sensors
Condition Monitoring has been on the rise in manufacturing for years. 2024 is poised for a critical mass breakthrough, with sensors achieving more widespread adoption at an ever-more accessible price point. The ROI for sensors will become more pronounced as more facilities use them to enable constant, real-time machine health and condition monitoring — yielding more effective maintenance, longer equipment life span and higher-quality output.
4. Safeguarding profit margins through increased proactivity and efficiency
Sensors also enable tactics such as predictive maintenance, where machine performance data is analyzed to detect minor fluctuations in areas such as vibration, which can indicate the beginnings of more significant problems down the line — allowing the facility to address these problems at a convenient time. This proactive approach reduces or eliminates unplanned downtime, allowing facilities to reap maximum productivity through equipment operation.
5. A more predictive approach — beyond the maintenance function
In light of a global catastrophe, a predictive approach to operations will be widely sought after at the macro level. Manufacturing businesses are understandably keen to get ahead of the next global disruption, whenever and whatever it may be. Technology such as AI and big data mining will be increasingly drawn upon to run global scenarios that may help predict and prepare for these events.
6. AI and VR exploration and adoption
The role of AI in manufacturing is expected to take center stage in the coming year as well, ready to make good on the promise of years of incremental adoption, along with related technology such as machine learning. In the race for a return to profits, AI technology can be used for more accurate forecasting and planning of maintenance, production capacity, inventory, sales, and more. In addition, the rise of virtual reality has led to the development of virtual twins. These simulations of factory environments are updated in real-time based on data collected from IIoT devices, and enable technicians to visualize layouts and workflows. This in turn allows them to optimize performance even from a distance.
7. Changing personnel functions — and opportunities to learn
The growth in AI technology will require capable people to implement, manage and make sense of it — a far cry from the fear that AI will replace humans. The impending AI boom represents a great opportunity for manufacturing employees to learn and advance their careers. Manufacturing personnel operations may also change as organizations increasingly turn to resources such as workforce partners to maximize the value and effectiveness of those functions.
8. Cobots on the rise
Similarly, human workers remain a critical part of hands-on manufacturing tasks themselves, although the technology to make those tasks easier is increasingly prevalent. Cobots (collaborative robots) are one such example — versatile automation machines with smart technology and safety features that enable them to work side by side with human workers, fulfilling repetitive, dangerous or otherwise undesirable tasks so that employees can focus on higher-value functions.
9. Industry 5.0
In addition to the impact of cobots on smart manufacturing, examples of tech driving change can be found in other areas. The term “Industry 5.0” is being used to describe the intersection between human labor and advanced technologies such as big data and the Internet of Things. Rather than seeking to replace human workers, these advancements are focused on enhancing employees’ ability to do their jobs.
10. Technology-driven supply chain transparency and accountability
Smart manufacturing technology will impact the supply chain as well, as interest in reliability, transparency and flexibility is at an all-time high following the disruptions of the past few years. Technology such as AI, vendor management software and blockchain will all play a role in the face of the supply chain — no longer an intractable monolithic function, but one that allows for more accountability and freedom of choice.
11. A new take on scenario planning
With smart manufacturing technologies such as AI and big data providing more insight into potential future disruptions to manufacturing, it is still incumbent upon managers and personnel to plan responses to these scenarios. Data visualization, for example, gives manufacturers a more in-depth view of the conditions in their plants as well as industry trends. This gives them a deeper understanding of what they need to do to succeed.
Typically, these scenarios would be limited to short-term disaster response, etc.; however, ongoing supply chain disruptions and changing market conditions have shown that more long-term problems must also be addressed. Thus, these planning exercises will go beyond immediate response planning to factor in agility, flexibility, resiliency, employee relations and long-term recovery.
Of course, no one can reliably predict the future, as we’ve seen many times during the last few years. Though by looking at short-term as well as long-term trends and focusing on big-picture themes (such as flexibility, reliability, remote access, maintenance partnerships, equipment monitoring and data-driven functions) manufacturing businesses can use these trend forecasts to remain well-positioned and advantageous in the competitive landscape. To discuss your options, contact ATS today.
