Additive Manufacturing is a method of manufacturing that makes use of digital files to create parts, objects or whole systems. It allows firms to produce complex machinery or other devices at relatively low cost. The process also reduces production costs and the time it takes to get products to market. This is possible because the process does not require casting or forging or any other traditional methods of production.
The benefits of additive manufacturing extend beyond manufacturers, suppliers, and communities. Innovators can also benefit from them. Many Fortune 500 companies have already adopted 3D printing technology. Biden Administration launched a new initiative to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in adopting additive production.
AM Forward is a public-private initiative that aims to encourage the use of additive manufacturing by developing standards and common practices, establishing an open-market for additive-manufactured parts, and addressing supply chain issues. The initiative is led by five U.S. large manufacturers: General Electric Aviation. Honeywell. Lockheed Martin. Raytheon. These firms are partnering with the DOE Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is a national facility that provides access to a range of additive-manufacturing technologies.
The AM Forward pact will allow OEMs to work with other companies to create standard specifications and provide technical assistance to U.S.-based vendors. In the future, other major corporations are expected to join this initiative.
One of the major players involved in AM Forward is the NEO Additive Manufacturing Cluster of Ohio, which works to accelerate the adoption of additive-manufacturing technologies. With a strong base of talented engineers and scientists, the state of Ohio is an ideal location for additive manufacturing firms.
Another important player is the America Makes national accelerator. This program partners with academia, industry, economic development resources, and workforce training programs to encourage the adoption of additive-manufacturing by a wide range of sectors. Many university programs now exist for additive-manufacturing.
Other government programs are available to help with the adoption of additive production, such as the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The Department of Labor also has programs to help small manufacturers with technical support and financing.
Many of these programs assist in overcoming common market failures. Many of these programs help overcome common market failures. Similarly, some customers may not be willing to commit to purchasing from companies that invest in additive-manufacturing technologies.
Some of the most innovative additive-manufacturing firms in the country are located in Ohio. Desktop Metal is an industrial additive-manufacturing company that offers metal 3-D printing and machining services to manufacturers and designers. Jonco Industries, Inc. offers several fabrication services, which include rapid prototyping, prototyping design, and high-volume finishing. PostPro3D is a specialist in automated surface finishing.
Besides collaborating with the Federal Government, other industry organizations are working to increase the adoption of additive-manufacturing. The Fraunhofer Institute is a leading institution for the development of additive-manufacturing technology.
FAQ
What is the role of a production manager?
A production planner makes sure all project elements are delivered on schedule, within budget, as well as within the agreed scope. They ensure that the product or service is of high quality and meets client requirements.
Why automate your factory?
Modern warehousing is becoming more automated. The rise of e-commerce has led to increased demand for faster delivery times and more efficient processes.
Warehouses should be able adapt quickly to new needs. In order to do this, they need to invest in technology. The benefits of automating warehouses are numerous. Here are some benefits of investing in automation
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Increases throughput/productivity
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Reduces errors
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Increases accuracy
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Safety enhancements
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Eliminates bottlenecks
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Companies can scale up more easily
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Increases efficiency of workers
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Provides visibility into everything that happens in the warehouse
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Enhances customer experience
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Improves employee satisfaction
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This reduces downtime while increasing uptime
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This ensures that quality products are delivered promptly
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Eliminates human error
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It helps ensure compliance with regulations
How is a production manager different from a producer planner?
The major difference between a Production Planner and a Project Manager is that a Project Manager is often the person responsible for organizing and planning the entire project. While a Production Planner is involved mainly in the planning stage,
What is the importance of logistics in manufacturing?
Logistics are an integral part any business. They help you achieve great results by helping you manage all aspects of product flow, from raw materials to finished goods.
Logistics also play a major role in reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Can we automate some parts of manufacturing?
Yes! Yes. Automation has been around since ancient time. The Egyptians discovered the wheel thousands and years ago. We now use robots to help us with assembly lines.
Robotics is used in many manufacturing processes today. These include:
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Robots for assembly line
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Robot welding
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Robot painting
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Robotics inspection
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Robots that create products
Manufacturing could also benefit from automation in other ways. 3D printing, for example, allows us to create custom products without waiting for them to be made.
What is the role of a logistics manager
A logistics manager makes sure that all goods are delivered on-time and in good condition. This is done using his/her knowledge of the company's products. He/she must also ensure sufficient stock to meet the demand.
Statistics
- According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), China is the top manufacturer worldwide by 2019 output, producing 28.7% of the total global manufacturing output, followed by the United States, Japan, Germany, and India.[52][53] (en.wikipedia.org)
- [54][55] These are the top 50 countries by the total value of manufacturing output in US dollars for its noted year according to World Bank.[56] (en.wikipedia.org)
- (2:04) MTO is a production technique wherein products are customized according to customer specifications, and production only starts after an order is received. (oracle.com)
- Many factories witnessed a 30% increase in output due to the shift to electric motors. (en.wikipedia.org)
- You can multiply the result by 100 to get the total percent of monthly overhead. (investopedia.com)
External Links
How To
How to Use the Just In Time Method in Production
Just-in-time is a way to cut costs and increase efficiency in business processes. It is a process where you get the right amount of resources at the right moment when they are needed. This means that you only pay the amount you actually use. Frederick Taylor developed the concept while working as foreman in early 1900s. He saw how overtime was paid to workers for work that was delayed. He decided that workers would be more productive if they had enough time to complete their work before they started to work.
JIT teaches you to plan ahead and prepare everything so you don’t waste time. The entire project should be looked at from start to finish. You need to ensure you have enough resources to tackle any issues that might arise. You can anticipate problems and have enough equipment and people available to fix them. This will prevent you from spending extra money on unnecessary things.
There are several types of JIT techniques:
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Demand-driven JIT: You order the parts and materials you need for your project every other day. This will allow to track how much material has been used up. You'll also be able to estimate how long it will take to produce more.
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Inventory-based: This is a type where you stock the materials required for your projects in advance. This allows one to predict how much they will sell.
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Project-driven: This is an approach where you set aside enough funds to cover the cost of your project. You will be able to purchase the right amount of materials if you know what you need.
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Resource-based JIT is the most widespread form. You allocate resources based on the demand. If you have many orders, you will assign more people to manage them. If you don't have many orders, you'll assign fewer people to handle the workload.
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Cost-based: This is a similar approach to resource-based but you are not only concerned with how many people you have, but also how much each one costs.
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Price-based pricing: This is similar in concept to cost-based but instead you look at how much each worker costs, it looks at the overall company's price.
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Material-based: This is very similar to cost-based but instead of looking at total costs of the company you are concerned with how many raw materials you use on an average.
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Time-based JIT: This is another variant of resource-based JIT. Instead of worrying about how much each worker costs, you can focus on how long the project takes.
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Quality-based JIT - This is another form of resource-based JIT. Instead of focusing on the cost of each worker or how long it takes, think about how high quality your product is.
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Value-based JIT : This is the newest type of JIT. In this case, you're not concerned with how well the products perform or whether they meet customer expectations. Instead, you are focused on adding value to the marketplace.
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Stock-based: This stock-based method focuses on the actual quantity of products being made at any given time. It is used when production goals are met while inventory is kept to a minimum.
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Just-intime (JIT), planning is a combination JIT management and supply chain management. This refers to the scheduling of the delivery of components as soon after they are ordered. This is important as it reduces lead time and increases throughput.