5 Benefits of Manufacturing Automation

Long gone are the days of simple supply chain systems, less marketplace competition, and predictable market trends in manufacturing.

Processes that met quality and efficiency standards in the past are not able to exist in the present economy with the current supply chain demands.

With the world economy becoming incredibly interconnected today, consumers have become more selective. Manufacturers are called to deliver quality products in less time.

So what can we do to yield more productivity in a dynamic and competitive marketplace?

Enter manufacturing automation.

With manufacturing automation, OTC can help you increase production levels, reduce operational downtime, and make better use of manufacturing resources.

What is manufacturing automation?

Manufacturing automation is an ecosystem of interconnected technology that automates control devices so manufacturing operations can be executed, maintained, and controlled without much workforce help.

Traditional manufacturing processes have paved the way for modern technological innovation to ensure our workforce is as efficient as possible. Automate what you can so your workforce can focus on more important functions.

Why Should Companies Push for Manufacturing Automation?

Having a run-of-the-mill industrial automation process is one thing, but executing an airtight system can drastically change the way you do business. Here are five benefits of manufacturing automation from OTC that drive competitive advantages.

1. Increased Operational Efficiency

Preventing a problem is always a better option than solving one. With automation, your operations managers can be notified of a fault or failure and run diagnostic tests and troubleshoot solutions before there is an efficiency issue. Oftentimes, increasing productivity means reducing downtime, because if you’re down, you’re not producing. That’s a trickle-down effect you don’t need.

2. Use Materials Wisely

Are the materials in your manufacturing plant being tracked for usage, waste, and sustainability? Manufacturing automation will offer the capability to track material metrics to ensure materials, ingredients, and commodities are being utilized in an efficient and eco-friendly manner. This data can provide insights into opportunities for future inventory predictions and buying habits which can affect the bottom line.

3. Rise in Production Rates

Less can equal more when you are using automation to your advantage. Increasing production rates takes an entire process scan to get a bird's-eye view of working systems, and their errors, so operations managers can work to overcome them and ensure that the workforce and automation counterparts work cohesively.

4. Improve Workplace Safety

Safety in the workplace is a constant discussion, and for good reason. Industrial automation systems can employ technology to keep workers out of harm’s way. For example, allowing conveyors and hoppers to fill grinders and mixers with the material can keep workers at a safer distance from machines and focused on work that is less dangerous.

5. Heightened Product Quality

You always hear the phrase “quality over quantity”. With automation, you can reach both. In manufacturing today, increasing product quality entails precise accuracy and repeatability. A sharp automation system will ensure metering is consistent over time while continually monitoring for faults or failures in product quality and consistency.

Automate Your Business with OTC

OTC can help you make your automated systems work around the clock to increase productivity levels and reduce waste.

Talking with an industrial automation expert at OTC can help you determine what ways your current automation could be made more efficient in the ways listed above and in additional ways, too. Get in touch with an expert today.