For many years, the cost of additive equipment was just too expensive for SMMs to consider purchasing. But new technologies have changed that, making the cost of entry much more affordable and cutting equipment prices to as low as $3,500 for a reliable industrial-quality machine. In addition, additive manufacturing has the ability to reduce energy costs and the amount of capital needed to scale up production without making major changes, allowing SMMs to increase the speed and profitability of their business model.
That’s not all. Additive manufacturing generates significantly less waste than traditional manufacturing methods, adding layers to create something versus removing layers; it’s been known to reduce material costs and waste by as much as 90%.
Learn more about the benefits of additive marketing here.
Even better news? SMMs that previously couldn’t afford robotics and automation are increasingly finding positive ROI as the cost of automation falls and the ease of use rises. Now, teaming human workers with robots on the assembly line is fundamentally changing how SMMs manufacture their products. And when it comes to job concerns, recent studies have shown that the use of robotics and automation is actually helping boost productivity rather than reduce jobs. With analysts predicting that the industrial robotics market will nearly triple in less than ten years—with smarter, safer collaborative robots (“cobots”) making up a large part of that—there is no better time for manufacturers to get in the robotics game.
Want to learn more about robotics in manufacturing? Click here.
Of course, getting started can be a daunting task, from selecting the right global market to complying with regulatory and legal issues. That’s why California’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are turning to ExporTech™. A collaboration between the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the U.S. Commercial Service, and a variety of regional partners, ExporTech has been helping manufacturers enter or expand into global markets since 2006—and they can do the same for you.
Learn more about ExporTech and how the program works here.
With FHE poised to take the industry by storm, a consortium of companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and state, local and federal governments known as NextFlex was formed. Their goal is to advance US manufacturing of FHE, creating new uses for FHE and ushering in an era of “electronics on everything” to advance efficiency in our world.
Learn more about FHE and its exciting 21st century application here.
Top-down. Reducing large pieces of material down to the nanoscale (think of it as carving a small figurine from a large block of wood).
Bottom-up. Creating products by building them up from atomic and molecular scale components (less wasteful than top-down, but more time-consuming).
While nanomanufacturing is used mostly in space technology and biotechnology, it’s gaining momentum in other areas of manufacturing: nanocomposites are being used in the production of car parts and golf clubs; nanoparticles are producing stain-resistant apparel and rocket propellants; and nanostructured materials are cutting superior drill bits and jet engine parts.
Read more about this exciting new technology here.
Some of the ways manufacturers practice sustainable manufacturing include reducing harmful emissions, harvesting solar and wind energy, installing energy-efficient lighting, equipment, and machinery, recycling, going paperless, finding more efficient transportation routes, and even building sustainable factories from the ground-up using intelligent robotic systems.
The benefits don’t stop there. Manufacturers practicing sustainability often receive tax incentives at the federal and state level, and consumers and new recruits are increasingly seeking out sustainable products and companies (while criticizing those who don’t engage in these practices through social media).
From the precision in the products we create to the places we’re able to export them to, advancements in technology have changed the face of manufacturing. While change can be frightening at times, these advancements should be embraced, not feared. They’re making the manufacturing space safer and more efficient, helping save the planet (and money), and enabling US manufacturers to better compete with companies overseas. We’ll continue to keep you up-to-date on the latest advancements in the industry, so be sure to subscribe to our blog if you haven’t already.