Remember when Lean principles were the one and only way for manufacturers to do business? Fast forward a decade and Industry 4.0 is the new buzzword. But does this mean Lean management is down and out, or can the two be intertwined to create a whole new level of operational excellence? The Lean approach is […]
What gets measured gets done. It might be an old cliché, but it still rings true for manufacturers today. Only by collecting the right data in your business can you make steps to improve. But which measures should you rely on? How can you know you’ve got your finger on the “quality pulse” of your […]
Is information-driven manufacturing (iDM) the stepping-stone to Industry 4.0? Collecting, visualising and analysing machine, process and sensor data promises to open a whole new world of opportunities for manufacturers. Here, we look at exactly what iDM is and how it could help manufacturers realise the potential of Industry 4.0. (Here’s some good background information on […]
If your New Year’s resolution was to create a more efficient, lean organisation, then it could be time to automate. Automation is no longer the sole realm of larger companies. With technology more affordable than ever, an increasing number of small and medium enterprises are tapping into the advantages of automating manufacturing processes — and there […]
If you can’t count on your equipment to work when production is scheduled, it’s unreliable. In the manufacturing industry, unreliable equipment has a greater cost than just monetary: it can affect workers, customer relationships, brand reputation and beyond. So before you make any cuts to your maintenance budget or delay on replacing failing equipment, take […]
Have you heard about “cobots”? If you answered yes, you are in the minority. In a poll by Packaging Digest, 60% said they are unfamiliar with collaborative robots — or, “cobots”. Surprised? We were. That’s why we thought we’d share a few facts about cobots — at least, what we know so far, because, in the […]
Are you getting the full benefit of your OEE implementation? Here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes with Overall Equipment Effectiveness. With companies facing increasing pressure from overseas to squeeze as much productivity as they can from their assets, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of Australian manufacturers and processors are looking […]
Quality is everything in manufacturing today. But the demand for more products and faster turnaround times means it’s no longer enough to rely on human inspection to achieve the high level of standards customers and consumers expect. That’s where automated inspection systems come in. Metal detectors, checkweighers, scanners, X-ray and vision inspection … there’s a […]
The idea of Industry 4.0 has been hovering over the Australian manufacturing industry for a few years now, but what does it mean for manufacturers and why should you take notice? Here, we answer some common questions about Industry 4.0. It’s a term that makes some manufacturers shudder with fear and others with anticipation. […]
The news that Foxconn, the world’s biggest contract electronics maker, is developing industrial robots to target 30% automation in its Chinese factories by 2020, has shaken the manufacturing industry. As machines and robotics become more sophisticated and specialised than ever, we can’t help but ask: will manufacturing soon be taken over entirely by robots? But […]