Additive manufacturing (AM) has gained wide applications in many industrial manufacturing processes. Different from the traditional machining processes, additive manufacturing builds up components in a layer-by-layer fashion. Additive manufacturing enables more complex design innovation, shorter time to market and lower tooling cost. Moreover, parts that are designed for additive manufacturing are both lighter and less costly compared to parts manufactured by traditional manufacturing methods.
The positive impact of faster innovation and adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) could be as much as £455 billion for UK manufacturing over the next decade, increasing manufacturing sector growth between 1.5 and 3 percent per annum, creating a conservative estimated net gain of 175,000 jobs throughout the economy. Made Smarter UK review
The Made Smarter Innovation Network endeavours to support this future success. Our ambition is to help UK manufacturing be more productive, competitive and sustainable – specifically via a powerful ecosystem of innovative IDT providers being developed across a variety of leading-edge technologies.
These IDTs are instrumental to the future success of the UK manufacturing sector and form the backbone of the Government’s plans to revamp the sector.
- Additive Manufacturing is extensively used in many industrial manufacturing processes and applications.
- Blockchain can enable manufacturers to exchange data more easily, accurately and securely within complex supply chains
- Data Analytics, Artificial intelligence and Machine learning technologies have a wide range of applications within manufacturing, including machine maintenance and improved accuracy in demand forecasting.
- Immersive Technologies such as VR and AR can be applied in various scenarios in manufacturing, such as providing remote expert support, validating manufacturing processes and prototyping manufacturing processes.
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and connectivity integrates and gathers data from connected devices, such as manufacturing equipment and tools, and sensors, enabling faster decision making for industrial companies.
- Robotics and Automation is now the core technology for developing smart and flexible manufacturing capabilities in smart manufacturing.
- Sensors can be used in manufacturing processes to gather real-time data to detect defects, monitor machinery and the manufacturing process itself as well as to enable traceability on the shopfloor.