Manufacturing industry trends to look out for in 2016

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a massive transformation. Technological developments and changing markets are redefining the competitive landscape for manufacturing organizations. The concept of a ‘smart factory’ has become more of a reality with more emphasis on speed, agility, and productivity.

Here are a few trends which are going to impact the manufacturing industry in 2016:

3D Printing — Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing has been a top technology trend for quite some time. With the growing affordability of 3D printing, more precise scans, and faster prints, manufacturers will be able to build parts and prototypes quickly. By applying 3D printing technology to product development and prototyping, manufacturers will be able to focus on innovation and reduce time to market (TTM).

Robotics — As advanced robotic systems become smarter, faster, and cheaper, manufacturers will be able to program their robots to perform virtually any task imaginable. This in turn will increase the quality of output. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), between 2015 and 2018, it is estimated that about 1.3 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories around the world.  Continue Reading