TECHNOLOGY IS RESHAPING THE LANDSCAPE OF MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing is built on change. With continuous improvement ingrained as an industry best practice, revolutionary tools, processes and challenges are introduced with each new decade. This holds true in the current manufacturing landscape as Industry 4.0, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is transforming the industry once again.
While most manufacturers are now aware of Industry 4.0, only a small fraction of small to medium-sized companies have started taking steps toward adopting these innovations. This might be due to fear, lack of awareness of the applications and benefits or disbelief that technology is right for you. Regardless of the reason, the reality is the industry will only continue to grow more reliant on technology in the future, so manufacturers must learn to embrace it or risk falling behind permanently. Rather than adopting technology simply for the sake of doing it, manufacturers will find success if they align innovations with the needs of their business. This provides a number of distinct strategic benefits, as the return on investment (ROI) will be maximized and your competitive edge will be heightened. Drawing from knowledge and experience with the many disciplines of Industry 4.0, experts at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (The Center-West) help manufacturers understand how technology could aid in their business growth. By introducing manufacturers to advanced manufacturing in a more personalized way, The Center-West provides clients with the tools needed to identify relevant technology solutions to improve their biggest problem areas, including productivity, quality, efficiency and workforce training. To ensure clients find success with their technology adoption, The Center-West has developed service offerings to support manufacturers with finding affordable and practical solutions to fit their needs, as well as to assist in the implementation process. ENGAGE IN AN OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT $2,400 The Center’s two-hour Opportunity Assessment involves answering 40 quantitative and qualitative questions related to the Voice of Business/Voice of Customer, Systems such as documented processes or standard work procedures, and Technology including any existing applications of
automation in your facility. Using data and information provided by your company, The Center-West assigns rankings to each response according to how strong your current practices are for each category, effectively highlighting the main opportunities for improvement. Based on the findings from the questionnaire and observations made during the assessment, we generate a summary report outlining opportunities for business improvement and increased efficiency. The Center-West is then able to create a unique and personalized plan for technology implementation within your facility. Recommendations are based on identified opportunities for improvement and areas that could most benefit from technology adoption, complete with projected returns on investment. Where additional support is needed, The Center’s team offers comprehensive assistance. With expertise in project management, we can help establish an adoption strategy, scope the project, find vetted suppliers and manage the implementation to ensure the results meet the needs of both the business and customer. EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY 4.0 For those manufacturers who are interested in experiencing Industry 4.0 in person before making any investments, The Center has implemented various technologies to create our Technology Lab. Featuring the nine technologies of Industry 4.0, including innovations such as 3D printing, cobots and augmented reality, this lab offers manufacturers a hands-on opportunity to learn how to modernize and optimize equipment, as well as effectively train and prepare their workforce for advanced manufacturing. These implementations demonstrate the uses and benefits these technological applications can provide, and ultimately help clients decide which tools might be right for them. To schedule a complimentary Opportunity Assessment, or to view Industry 4.0 in action, call 616.301.6247 .
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