The Made in Group, a vibrant social knowledge network dedicated to sharing best practices and fostering networking opportunities among its members, recently held an industry roundtable discussion focusing on the transformative power of digital technologies in manufacturing. The session was inspired by a thought-provoking talk from Guillaume Lafforgue, representing Schneider Electric, who shared valuable insights into their innovative use of digital tools within their operations.
Lafforgue highlighted how screens integrated into machines have replaced traditional analogue displays, allowing operators and engineers to access historical information effortlessly. Furthermore, real-time recording cameras have proven instrumental in facilitating fault detection and rapid response. Whilst Lafforgue also touched upon the challenges experienced in deploying augmented reality (AR) holograms for business purposes, it became evident that embracing such cutting-edge technologies could revolutionise the manufacturing landscape.
During the roundtable discussion, attention shifted to future applications of additive printing, revealing that the UK lags behind countries like the USA, Germany, France, and Italy in this field. Participants emphasised the urgent need for companies to overcome the fear of the unknown or resistance to change. It was unanimously agreed that understanding new technologies and their advancements is paramount for unlocking their potential benefits.
An important trend that emerged from the conversation was the gradual transition from paper-based systems to screen-based interfaces delivering real-time information. This shift towards digital solutions has yielded remarkable success stories among the Made in Group members. Notably, the implementation of optimised scheduling processes developed by in-house tech engineers has significantly boosted productivity. As a result, delivery times have been dramatically reduced from an average of five weeks to a mere two days in some instances. Such impressive outcomes serve as a testament to the transformative power of embracing digital technologies in manufacturing.
The overall consensus among the participants was that the success of these technological advancements lies in the automation capabilities that underpin them. For instance, in the realm of security, where automation is often met with scepticism, it was emphasised that hackers and most threats already employ automated systems. By leveraging automated security measures, manufacturing companies can effectively safeguard their operations and assets.
In conclusion, the industry roundtable discussion hosted by the Made in Group shed light on the profound impact of digital technologies on manufacturing. The insights shared by Guillaume Lafforgue of Schneider Electric, along with the collective experiences of the participants, underscored the importance of embracing innovation and overcoming fears or resistance to change. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative for companies to stay abreast of emerging technologies, capitalise on automation capabilities, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Made in Group organises monthly instructional meetings with key speakers from the community who share best practices, followed by discussion groups. Join our next session by logging into your dashboard and adding yourself to one of our upcoming events. Not a member? Join by visiting www.madeinthemidlands.com or www.madeinyorkshire.com.