Manufacturing employs more than 2.6 million people in the UK directly, in areas such as renewable energy projects, aeroplanes and cars.

Today, most robots used in factories are open-looped, or non-feedback controlled, meaning their actions are independent of sensor feedback. A cobot is designed to be more versatile and able to work with humans. Although the cobot is more comfortable to program, it’s not autonomous. Human workers need to support a cobot every time there’s any change in the task or environment.

Thanks to AI, machines can now learn to handle a wide range of objects and functions on their own. AI robots are now able to interact with one another and automatically adjust their actions based on the next product line. These types of autonomous machines can dynamically change what they’re producing.  

Blockchain technology

An effective and efficient supply chain is a critical component of manufacturing. This technology can record transactions of two parties securely and efficiently, allowing technicians, engineers, and any other parties to access, sign, move, and store archived records. Blockchain increases visibility across every area of manufacturing. It has the power to build better, smarter, and more secure supply chains, tracing a product’s journey every step of the way. 

Manufacturers are investing in blockchain investments for greater cost savings, enhanced traceability and enhanced transparency. Manufacturers also noticed higher revenues, reduced risks, the creation of new business opportunities, and the ability to be more customer-centric. 

Internet of Things 

IoT is a part of big data and predictive maintenance technology. It is a very ambitious project that seems so easy to achieve, but we have yet to see its full form. The Internet of Things is the interconnection of unique devices within an existing internet infrastructure. Most experts believe the IoT is the next big technological boom. A recent Gartner study stated that by 2020, there would be nearly 20.8 billion devices on the IoT.

The Internet of Things is having a significant impact on manufacturing, giving manufacturers greater visibility into their operations, enabling predictive maintenance on their machines, and allowing them to provide remote support to their customers.

Machine Learning

It is an advanced computer system also used for data management, to create useful data, sift through raw data, and produce reliable information for the technical workforce. Manufacturers have been successful in including machine learning into the three aspects of the business; operations, production, and post-production. Machine learning can alert operators before system failure, avoiding costly unplanned downtime.

Machine Vision

Also known as “computer vision,” MV is the source of numerous high-end technologies, software, hardware products and integrated systems. The system helps with product inspection at a far higher level than the human eye, predicts maintenance cycles and makes work environments safer for workers. MV helps manufacturers save money, justify price points and emerge as strong competitors.

3D Printing 

Also called additive manufacturing, it involves printing a product layer by layer based on digital design. The 2015 Wohlers report stated that motor vehicles constituted 16.1% of the 3D printing market for that year. That number has grown considerably since then.

This growth has been driven by technological improvements that have resulted in lower machine and material costs, as well as faster production times. While 3D printing is not new, these improvements have made 3D printing much more practical for a broader set of manufacturers. 

Evolving in manufacturing

Manufacturing is entering a dynamic new phase. Globally, manufacturing continues to grow. It now accounts for approximately 16% of global GDP and 14% of employment. By 2025 the fourth industrial revolution is expected to create a value of £2.7 trillion worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum. The future of manufacturing industry promotes innovation, productivity, and trade even more than growth and employment.

In the UK, the manufacturing landscape still has an arguably conservative approach to business. Barclays Corporate recently stated that there is still resistance from UK manufacturers when it comes to adopting the latest innovations and is falling behind other nations when it comes to embracing fourth industrial revolution technologies. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) highlighted that the UK sits at 23d in the world for robot density, with 85 robots per 100,000 workers. 

However, Uk is the 8th largest manufacturing economy in the world. Experts are anticipating that by 2021, the UK will climb in fifth place in the global manufacturing economy. Yet, the UK manufacturing sector must continue to cultivate and invest in emerging technologies, putting digital change at the beating heart of industrial growth strategies to welcome the future of manufacturing.