Learn how to make flexible manufacturing work for you

In a survey of 275 manufacturers, 87% said that improving their manufacturing process was a top priority for the company. This is because products are becoming increasingly complex, and so are manufacturing production processes. The result is a rising tide of challenges for organizations.

Gain the advantages of a flexible manufacturing process

In an effort to navigate these obstacles, manufacturing executives are looking to a range of digital tools designed to help streamline production, improve product quality, minimize manufacturing disruptions, and conclude more projects on time and on budget.

To gain insight into the impact of implementing these digital solutions, Lifecycle Insights conducted the 2022 Flexible Manufacturing Study. The findings of this survey-based research reveal companies' intended uses of manufacturing-specific digital tools over the next two years. The study also highlights the solutions' various benefits and what manufacturers are already doing to improve manufacturing operations. This eBook shares the study findings and offers recommendations for adopting and implementing manufacturing-specific digital tools.

Overcome progressive manufacturing challenges

Digital solutions allow companies to design tools more effectively by factoring in the precise specifications of the product and manufacturing setup. This reduces wasted resources and improves product quality. And because simulated versions of the tools can be tested digitally, these solutions can prevent costly shutdowns by accurately measuring tool durability and prompting preventative maintenance. Digital solutions also aid in managing machining toolpaths, which can be created automatically using models, eliminating the need for manual coding and reducing the likelihood of errors that affect production.

Embrace IIoT for manufacturing and sensor data

Using sensors to capture and analyze manufacturing data is one-way digital tools improve companies' processes. Analyzing this data allows manufacturers to improve their equipment's overall effectiveness. Such analytics can predict quality issues before they arise, detect anomalies in the equipment's operation, and accurately forecast manufacturing output. More than half (54%) of the most progressive companies use manufacturing-specific digital tools such as the industrial internet of things (IIoT) to stream and capture sensor data. Just 21% of the least progressive companies do the same.