How Will Manufacturing Facilities Change in the Next 10 Years?

Manufacturing is a rapidly changing industry. With constantly updating technology and a shift in the industry in response to COVID-19, the outlook for the next ten years has been rapidly changing and coming into focus. Industrial machinery and robotics are evolving to streamline production and change with the tides as we progress into the new century.  

Read on to learn more about the ways manufacturing facilities will change in the coming years. 

How will Manufacturing Evolve?

Predictive Maintenance Will Take the Forefront  

Predictive maintenance uses computer AI and sensors installed throughout production lines to proactively alert operators of potential maintenance issues or failures. If manufacturers can stay on top of potential issues, there will likely be less downtime and issues with production.  

As technology advances, manufacturers are not just purchasing newer industrial machines and robots with these sensors but installing them on older equipment. Manufacturers that have done this are able to analyze data and then interpret a machine’s condition, fix machines before they break or fail, and find irregularities that may lead to downtime.  

Real-Time Manufacturing  

Over the past few years with the effect that COVID-19 had on production facilities, many industries are moving to a thinner and scaled-back inventory. Automation and AI are helping manufacturers keep only what is necessary on the shelves and using their current technologies, machines, and industrial robots to keep supplies moving through the production line as soon as they enter the building.  

Efficiency will be ramp up and create more space in a warehouse, allowing companies to expand and increase production.  

Infection Control through Automation  

Coronavirus changed the way many businesses functioned and influenced the way employers looked at health issues within their facility. Masks, hand sanitizers, and additional health protocols were put in place across the world in order to curb the spreading virus, and many of those are still in place today. And one of the biggest moves that companies made included adding robots to their assembly lines and production facilities. 

Industrial robots and machines don’t get sick, and therefore don’t take sick days or need recovery time. Many manufacturers have implemented automation and replaced human workers with robots as a preventative measure, should a worldwide pandemic strike again. Production can be maintained with industrial automation, and human interaction can stay contained and limited.  

As technologies grow, robots and automation replacements are becoming increasingly widespread. Today, there are even fully-automated factories and job sites known as “dark factories” that require no direct human interaction on-site.  

Working with Robots  

Manufacturers aren't just looking to replace their employees with robots, but they are also searching for ways to integrate robots with their employees. These “cobots” work side-by-side with humans in warehouses and production lines in collaborative environments.  

Not only can cobots assist with efficiency, but they also aid in maintaining safety protocols, performing tasks like heavy lifting or working with extreme heat sources without risk of injury. Intelligent robots can work in tandem with employees on the floor, speeding up production and increasing efficiency.  

Sustainability Focus  

Manufacturers are moving toward greener and more sustainable production methods, thanks not only to public pressure and scrutiny, but also government efforts like the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. Refurbishment of existing robots and machinery keeps costs, as well as environmental impacts, low.  

Buying used machinery reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and other types of pollution, and can be updated to fit seamlessly into production lines. When an industrial machine can no longer be used, companies are learning how to properly dispose of machines without just tossing them out with the trash.  

Our partner HGR works to recycle up to 95% of most industrial machines that cannot be resold or repurposed, helping to keep pollutants out of landfills and the environment.  

NRTC Automation Keep You Updated  

NRTC Automation ensures our customers are at the forefront of changes in the industry and keeping with up-to-date technology.  

Whether we are helping to update and automate your facility, or designing a custom part for your newly refurbished industrial robot, NRTC can assist businesses in moving forward. To learn more about how our services could positively impact your production, visit our website.  

NRTC Automation Featured in Manufacturing Technology Insights

NRTC Automation wins the Top 10 Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies Award of 2020. 

If there is a company you can trust to help you grow your manufacturing business, it’s NRTC Automation. 

This is backed by Manufacturing Technology Insights, who named us as one of the Top 10 Industrial Robotics Consulting/Services Companies of 2020. 

Learn more about this award and how NRTC Automation can benefit your company below. 

Top Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies of 2020 

What is Manufacturing Technology Insights? 

Manufacturing Technology Insights (MTI) is a technology magazine with a focus on industrial manufacturing. Their publications are specific to the United States, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. 

Since 2008, MTI has published articles by industry leaders to share their experience in lean manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, manufacturing intelligence, and more with the wider industrial community. 

What is the Top Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies Award? 

Each year, MTI selects 10 companies that excel in providing industrial robotics services. Each winner is featured on the MTI website. 

According to MTI, recognizing leaders who help manufacturing companies improve their processes with robotics is essential. Industrial robots have shaped manufacturing since their inauguration in the market. 

By displaying the winners of the Top Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies Award, MTI provides manufacturers with high-quality and high-performing automation servicers. 

NRTC Automation is the Top Choice for Automation Services 

NRTC Automation is proud to have received the Top Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies Award of 2020. You can find our press report on the MTI website here.

Despite the global shutdown due to coronavirus and the slowing in the manufacturing sector, NRTC Automation remained committed to serving customers worldwide with their decommissioning and automation needs. 

For that reason, we are the top choice for automation services for manufacturers of any size and industry. 

Our Services 

NRTC Automation offers comprehensive automation services to assist manufacturers with developing their production lines. 

Our Decommissioning and Tear Out Services are tailored to your timeline so you can move on to your next project. We will assign a dedicated team and project manager to your company and provide a 3D scan of your facility to prepare the best plan to decommission your facility. 

We also offer Service Parts Manufacturing for companies that want to outsource their parts for a more efficient production process. We can provide parts for manufacturing companies in any industry for as long as you need. 

If you want to automate your production line but you don’t know where to start, NRTC Automation can design, build, and engineer a Custom-Build Robotic Work Cell for your specific needs. 

The CEO of NRTC Automation, Greg Owens, is quoted on MTI: “We source and provide a warranty on quality used equipment to build these automation cells. It gives small- to mid-sized companies access to equipment and automation at a much lower cost than what has been traditionally available to them, providing a competitive advantage within their industry.” 

We also provide additional automation services to fill any gap within your manufacturing process: 

• Industrial Robot Refurbishing: Extend the life of your robot by selecting one of three refurbishing services. 

• Industrial Tool & Fixture Storage: Make room in your warehouse by sending your unused tool and fixtures to us. We’ll send them back to you as soon as you want them. 

• Robotic Training Services: Train your employees in robotics to boost their confidence, improve productivity, and handle technical issues in-house. 

• Robotic Engineering: NRTC Automation can troubleshoot your technical issues and minimize downtime on your production floor. Not only that, but we’ll find qualified technicians for your company so you can get work done with professionals. 

NRTC Automation aims to be your ultimate partner in automation. Our recent inclusion in the Top Industrial Robotics Consulting/Service Companies Award of 2020 marks us as the best choice to enhance your production process. 

AUTOMATE WITH NRTC AUTOMATION TODAY. 

NRTC was founded over a decade ago in Tilbury, Ontario with the goal of delivering high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.  

Trust NRTC Automation to help with your next industrial automation project. Contact us today or schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you grow your business.