There is no getting away from the fact that technology is having a monumental impact on all areas of our lives, and safety is one of these. When it comes to industries like manufacturing, rules and regulations are becoming more stringent all of the time. This is why businesses need to constantly address their risk assessments and safety policies to ensure they adhere to legislation and provide a safe working environment. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at five trends in technology that are going to improve safety in the manufacturing sector. These are five technology trends that are going to change manufacturing forever and make it a much safer place for workers.
1. Drones
Firstly, let’s take a look at drones. While we have all heard of the negative stories about drones getting in the way of planes, there are a lot of benefits to be gained through the use of this revolutionary piece of technology. As drones are able to fly, they lower the equipment and costs that are required when it comes to structure and building inspections, as well as lowering the risk. This helps manufacturing firms to carry out safety inspections with greater ease and accuracy. The traditional manual methods for this tend to be costly as well as exposing workers to a number of different health and safety risks that can now be avoided with a drone. There are a lot of great drones on the market today, with a wide range of makes and models for you to choose from. Plus, technology is advancing all of the time. Therefore, we are seeing more features and capabilities being added to drones. The DJI Mini 2 is one example of the many different drones for sale today.
2. 3D Printing
Thanks to 3D printing, the manufacturing process is less segmented. Using a 3D printer to create complex objects has resulted in previous manufacturing processes, which could have caused injuries, being made redundant. Not only this, but 3d printing methods are much more efficient. In the past, manufacturing something via traditional methods would have taken days, and with high pressures and demands placed on companies, this could lead to workers working for longer hours than they should. This would naturally increase the risk of accidents happening in the workplace. A lot of people worry that the likes of 3D printing and machines of this nature are simply meaning that there are fewer jobs available for human workers. However, this is not the case. It simply means that we can work more efficiently and more effectively, achieving more in a shorter space of time and focusing on the tasks that really need our attention.
3. Real-time smart communication manufacturing systems
One of the best ways to improve efficiency at your business is to run a real-time smart communication manufacturing system. With a system like this, you will be able to stay on top of machine failures and breakdowns. With the call system that is in place, you can make sure that issues are fixed quickly. There is also a dashboard so that everything can be managed in real-time. This is extremely important when it comes to matters concerning health and safety. After all, you are going to reduce the chance of employees being injured because of problems with the machinery. Every year, employees are injured because problems with machines have gone undetected. However, with a smart communication manufacturing system, you have a good system in place for ensuring that this does not happen.
4. Smart wearables that connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Another tech trend that is definitely making the world of manufacturing safer is wearable devices. The likes of visors, watches, and helmets that come with sensors that are connected via satellite transmission or mobile to control centers and supervisors can help to ensure that all workers are alerted to any potential hazards while also making certain that they will be able to concentrate on the job ahead of them. It is easy to think about fitness watches and such like when it comes to wearable technology. However, there are now wearable devices that are designed for engineers and technicians working in environments that are hazardous.
5. Artificial intelligence
Finally, we have artificial intelligence. The introduction of robots into the manufacturing process is one of the most significant changes to have happened in the past century. Through machine learning, an AI system is able to assess large data sets to figure out meaningful patterns. This enables the system to learn and improve without the need to be programmed for a certain task. This means that a machine could be more aware of the environment around it when it is coupled with sensors. This means the robot can recognize a dangerous situation. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest trends in the world of technology at the moment, and it is something that is advancing all of the time. This is bound to be one of the most significant trends of the year, and we are seeing it impact many different industries in many different ways. The manufacturing sector is just one of them that is being impacted by AI, so it certainly seems a very exciting and interesting field to get involved in and one that can make a huge difference in regard to safety.
Final words on how technology is being used to boost manufacturing safety
As you can see, there are a number of different technology trends that are making big differences when it comes to the manufacturing industry. While technology can help us to improve efficiency and offer our customers more, it can also help when it comes to making sure that we operate to the highest levels of health and safety and make sure our employees feel secure. From manufacturing communication systems to artificial intelligence; there are many trends that you can capitalize on to make manufacturing safer.
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