FOCUS ON SHEET METAL
BMW M850i xDrive Cabrio on the production line ( image : Shutterstock . com ).
facilities . These generated high-quality flat products from coils to coated and galvanized sheets , targeted at sectors such as automotive and appliance manufacturing ,” it added .
Significant developments included the pioneering use of laser-assisted oxygen jet cutting for metals ( 1967 ) and the rise of NC / CNC machinery . In the 1990s , computer-aided design ( CAD ) and computer-aided manufacture ( CAM ) software was introduced , as well as modelling software such as Solidworks . These helped fabrication companies to develop more advanced sheet metal parts rapidly .
However , the rise of automated manufacturing processes in the mid-20th century also led to a decline in the demand for manual labour .
Modern sheet metal practices
Today , sheet metal manufacturers are increasingly focused on improving safety , quality , productivity and sustainability in their operations . They are also employing more automation in and around their machine tools and production to offset labour shortages and improve their productivity , as well as addressing changing demands for smaller batches , more complex parts and shorter lead times .
Today ’ s robots are designed to consume less energy , which leads to lower operating costs . Robot programming has also become easier and more accessible to non-experts . Connected robots are transforming manufacturing . The improvement of connectivity and safety technologies means that we are increasingly seeing more powerful autonomous mobile robots ( AMRs ) on factory floors . Cobots ( working in collaboration with human operators ) are also becoming more prevalent .
“ Manufacturers are investing in a multitude of new technologies including artificial intelligence , virtual reality , machine learning and more . Automation and robotics are enhancing workers ’ abilities but will also require many more high-skilled employees . Although the workforce shortage is a challenge , digital technologies will help manufacturers to become more resilient , efficient and profitable ,” commented the National Association of Manufacturing ( NAM ) in the United States .
Augmented Reality ( AR ), Virtual Reality ( VR ) and Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) are just some of the technologies that manufacturers are adopting to enhance , streamline and add efficiencies to their operations . The smart use of digitalisation , including artificial intelligence , in combination with robotics and automation solutions can bring about major leaps in productivity and help to raise competitiveness in the sheet metal industry on a long-term basis .
“ Adopting modular approaches for everything , from arranging the factory floor to your supply chain operations , allows
Ford car factory , Izmit . Image : Shutterstock . com .
Virtual and augmented technologies ( Image : Shutterstock . com .) manufacturers to improve speed and agility , scale rapidly and better meet the shift to more personalised products ,” commented Dassault Systemes .
The growth of industrial IoT applications is also helping to transform the factory floor , making manufacturing operations smarter and more efficient while generating a huge amount of highly valuable data . This information enables the development and implementation of predictive maintenance techniques , as well as the ability to model more effective operational approaches .
“ Sustained interest in IIoT , growing emphasis on predictive resolution and the industry-wide shift toward Product as a Service means Big Data is bigger than ever . The ability to collect data from an ever-growing number of sources , combined with efforts to modernise systems and increasingly powerful analytics capabilities , makes it possible for manufacturers to slice and dice data in ways that provide them with a comprehensive understanding of their business ,” explained HITACHI Solutions .
Virtual twin simulation enables manufacturers to run tests / repairs ; monitor equipment ; model scenarios , conduct training , optimise production ; test new production lines / prototypes and see how equipment performs under different conditions without ever having to touch the actual asset .
The industry continues to grapple with challenges such as skills / labour shortages ; rocketing energy costs ; cybersecurity , rising inflation and supply chain resilience but has always shown itself to be responsive , dynamic and flexible . It continues to innovate and focus on improving productivity and processes while embracing sustainable and automated / digitised technologies . n
ISMR February 2024 | ismr . net | 21