Automation World

https://www.automationworld.com/factory/digital-transformation/article/33007282/walking-the-tightrope-to-thrive-in-the-new-industrial-era

Walking the Tightrope to Thrive in the New Industrial Era Manufacturers must strike a balance between managing costs and investing in future production capabilities. Here’s what they should focus their efforts on.

Almost half of consumer packaged goods companies expect direct to consumer e-commerce to increase over the next three years, and automation can help companies adapt.

Growing Pains in Direct to Consumer E-Commerce With direct to consumer e-commerce expected to grow in the near future, manufacturers need to consider automation advancements that can help ease the process.

As automation technology advances, relationships between packaged goods companies and equipment manufacturers are extending far beyond the initial transaction.

Successful Automation Relies on Manufacturer Partnerships Over 90% of packaged goods companies want OEMs to offer deeper relationships and enhanced training opportunities on automation technologies.

Cybersecurity is a top concern among packaged goods companies considering remote access, but applications like programming and break-fix support are available for those who adopt the technology.

Packaged Goods Companies Hesitant on Remote Access Cybersecurity is a top concern among companies considering remote access, but useful applications are available for those who embrace the technology.

Automation allows for significant advancement in both packaging and warehousing, but surveyed brands say packaging stands to gain the most.

Packaging and Processing Seen As Ideal for Automation Most consumer packaged goods companies see packaging and processing as ideal for automation, but automated warehousing also holds significant benefits.

Most companies are struggling to find skilled applicants to fill vacancies, but automation technologies might help overcome these workforce challenges.

Skilled Workforce Recruitment Proves Difficult for Manufacturers The search for skilled workers is pushing manufacturing companies to look to technology and automation.

Predictive maintenance is growing in popularity, with 43% of surveyed packaged goods companies currently using the technology and 45% planning to use it within the next three years.

Predictive Maintenance Solutions Trending Among Companies Packaged goods companies are implementing or considering a variety of predictive maintenance technologies, and OEMs are looking for ways to match demand.

Companies are facing hurdles with the switch to sustainable packaging including machine compatibility and quality control, but there are opportunities for an easier transition.

Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Packaging Today Companies across the packaging industry are encountering issues and brainstorming solutions to meet a growing demand for a lower carbon footprint.

Over half of surveyed CPGs now use robots for end-of-line packaging, but those CPGs predict flattening growth in the next five years.

Uses and Growth Predictions for Robots in Packaging Robotics advancements significantly improve end-of-line efficiency, but CPGs who use the technology expect flat growth in coming years.

Check out Siemens Digital Industries Software recent blog post covering our very own Editor-in-Chief David Greenfield's interview at their booth at International Manufacturing Technology Show

Video Interview with Automation World: The Closed-Loop Digital Environment at IMTS 2022 - NX Manufacturing Attending IMTS 2022 was bigger and better than ever before. Watch the video interview with industry-leading publication, Automation World, about our closed-loop digital environment booth experience.

Robots have come a long way in terms of safety, capability, and affordability, and emerging innovations could soon advance the technology even further.

A new Frontier in Robot Applications and Markets Robot technology is more advanced and applicable than ever with the help of machine learning, washdown capability, and safety improvements, but there is still plenty of room for innovation.

Continuous software upgrades have allowed for easier robotics programming in recent years, but improvements including a common programming language and simpler diagnostics are in high demand.

Robotics Improvements in High Demand as Technology Progresses While most CPGs and OEMs agree robotics programming has become easier, there are several aspects in high demand for improvement.