Gone are the days of relying solely on manual skills and traditional techniques in the metalworking industry. We’re entering a new era of manufacturing powered by automation, precision technology, and adaptive intelligence.
Your competitors are no longer the shop down the street but advanced facilities leveraging robots, artificial intelligence (AI), and interconnected systems that can produce higher-quality parts faster and more consistently than ever before.
So, what’s a factory to do? Keep reading to find out!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Shrinking skilled labor pools, increasingly complex customer demands, and never-ending global competition. Metalworking companies face growing challenges — but there is help!
It’s no secret that the industry is experiencing a serious skills gap. Experienced machinists and welders are retiring, and fewer young professionals are filling those shoes. Solutions like
collaborative robotic applications (cobots) are helping to bridge this gap and keep operations running. Take Thyssenkrupp Bilstein, a leading supplier of high-tech components for the auto industry, who employed cobots to lend a hand — or a few — to overcome staffing shortages.
In industries like aerospace, medical devices, and automotive, there’s no margin for error. Even the slightest inconsistencies or deviations can lead to product failure or increased costs due to rework and waste. However, ??automation can help reduce variability and keep a close eye on quality with AI and vision technology.
International and emerging markets are becoming technological powerhouses that can produce high-quality components at unprecedented speeds. For traditional shops, the message is clear:
robotics has become the great equalizer. They allow small to medium-sized manufacturers to compete globally by implementing automation technologies that augment human capabilities, delivering
precision, efficiency, and competitive pricing.
With raw material costs skyrocketing and environmental regulations getting stricter, manufacturers are turning to IIoT-enabled sensors and intelligent automation technologies. With them, they can track material usage in real-time, optimize cutting and forming processes, reduce waste through precise material management, and monitor energy consumption across production lines.
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all manufacturing. Today’s customers demand highly specialized, custom-designed components delivered with unprecedented speed. This shift towards just-in-time manufacturing requires unprecedented agility. Enter Multi-axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and robotic systems. They can quickly adjust to design changes, handle intricate details, maintain consistency, and even integrate complex design modifications.
