Manufacturing is the process by which we add value to any item. Through manufacturing, we take raw materials and develop them into finished products which possess much greater value. Manufacturing has long been the driving force behind man’s progress. It has allowed people to establish industries and develop products that have made our lives so much better.
Manufacturing technology basically describes the technological aspect of the production of goods and services. It refers to the methods and ways in which manufacturing is conducted. It should be understood that technology is not limited to electronics. It has a much broader meaning in context to manufacturing.
How It Used To Be
Manufacturing has been going on for centuries. Humans have always tried to make their lives easier. This has led to constant innovation throughout the history of mankind. This innovation and demand for goods have led to the flourishing of the manufacturing process.
One of the most significant events in the history of manufacturing technology is the industrial revolution in the 19th century. It marked the transition of the manufacturing process from human labor technology to mechanical and chemical processes.
Steam engines and similar technologies were an essential part of the early era of manufacturing. They allowed for goods to be transported over greater distances.
By now we know that advancements in manufacturing technology had many benefits. However, it is necessary to know its drawbacks as well. The rapid increase in manufacturing technology and usage of machines resulted in a greater population of people that were now out of work.
How It Is
Today manufacturing technologies continue to develop day by day. The invention of computers and subsequently software have made everything digital. The entire manufacturing process can be controlled through simple software. Other than this, there has been an immense amount of change in the physical process as well. Newer procedures and methods have made manufacturing much easier and efficient. We will be discussing a few examples below of modern manufacturing technologies:
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Computer-aided design or CAD is the use of software to control the production line. CAD is mostly used to ensign concepts and work out their feasibility. It allows the users to digitally create what they envision. Thus, allowing for much greater creativity and efficiency. It can be used for the smallest of products and has no real limit. You can do something as simple as fix a design flaw that may be causing eyeball pain after eyelash extensions.
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
Once you’re done designing your product CAM helps bring it into reality. It basically tells the machine how to make the product by designing pathways. An example of CAM is laser cutters. Laser cutters are controlled by software and thus are used for precise cutting.
Injection Molding
Injection molding has become one of the most widely used and common manufacturing methods. It includes components such as mold masters hot runners. Injection molding uses a hot material into a mold and then cools it off to be shaped or designed in a specific manner. There are various methods for injection molding which include 2k injection molding etc.
Impact Of Manufacturing Technology
Manufacturing technology is directly related to output. Better technology leads to greater output. Which leads to a higher GDP( Gross Domestic Product). Greater output leads to a better effect on the economy. However, that is not always true. Sometimes an advancement in technology can have adverse effects such as unemployment. Therefore it is necessary to keep that in check as well.
Conclusion
The future of manufacturing technology is very certain. No matter in what way or when it will improve. Advancements in the field of manufacturing are a necessity in order to keep up with the growing demand for goods. Therefore we can be very certain that with the passage of time, manufacturing technologies will improve as well.
3D printing is a very interesting and new concept that is being used by some manufacturers already. It allows you to print custom objects anywhere. Currently, you can find blueprint files as well for common items and print them with a 3D printer anywhere. 3D pens are also a thing. They allow you to draw in 3D and create prototypes or designs with ease.
3D printing is an indicator that in the future, manufacturing will become a household thing. People will be able to stay home and manufacture products that they want without the hassle of even going out and buying them. We may have to pay for using the blueprints for these products in exchange for actually having to buy the product.
In conclusion, whatever the future may hold, we can be certain of one thing; progress. There is no doubt that the future holds a great deal of progress in manufacturing technology. We can expect to see improvements in the currently existing methods such as injection molding. There will also be the development of better software for automating the manufacturing process. Lastly, new technologies are always around the corner when it comes to manufacturing. So it will be exciting to see what the future holds!
