Manufacturing has indeed undergone a sea of change in the last three decades with the focus being more on manufacturing products that take less time to design, to manufacture, to test and to deliver the same to the end market. Our society utilizes all modern manufacturing techniques to ensure that the products are developed as per specs and delivered within a very short time frame. But given our dependence on modern manufacturing tools and our reliance on the same, perhaps it is time to take a closer look at some of the positive and negative effects of manufacturing technologies.
The positive impact of manufacturing technologies:
Automation: With the advent of innovative manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, it is now possible to automate nearly every aspect of the manufacturing industry. Companies can now set up fully automated plants to run their specs and to develop the products that meet these specs. Of course, there would still be some form of manual control but as far as the manufacturing process is concerned, automation is the key and companies can save a bundle investing in the same.
Innovative designs: With manufacturing technologies incorporating certain aspects of AI, software programs can now design end-user products with precision and even come up with innovative designs for the same. Of course, when it comes to creativity, nothing beats the human component yet, but it is only a matter of time before software programs can design and develop better products than us. The point is that the next two decades would be pivotal to manufacturing business as a whole as it evolves further.
Safety: The one aspect that had often troubled the manufacturing industry was the high rate of accidents. This, thanks to the advent of automated technologies have been dropping down steadily. And coupled with the fact that most companies these days often go the extra mile to avoid an expensive lawsuit, often pay for their employees to be better trained and to undergo intensive safety training as well.
Cost: While at the moment, manufacturing costs are still high on account of the materials being used, it is only a matter of time before this cost is brought down. As it is, automotive industries already utilize a fair degree to automated tech in its assembly line, and soon with fully automated companies being established, the manufacturing cost should come down and the benefits passed to the end consumer.
Negative impact of manufacturing technologies:
Pollution: With more companies getting into manufacturing, the amount of toxic waste that is being produced or what to do with the same have been put on the back burner in more ways than one. As a result, companies often cause both air pollution and water pollution as they process various raw materials in order to manufacture one of their products. For example, the run-off from a lumber yard can choke the life out of nearby streams as wooden chips, detritus clogs it up and that’s just for starters. Chemical pollution is something else that we have to be concerned about as most of these companies are quite lax when it comes to disposing of their waste.
Jobs: as a result of various advances made in manufacturing technologies especially in automated technologies, it has led to vast job losses in the manufacturing industry. This is having a direct impact on the economy as a whole.
Over-dependence on technology: Over-dependence on technologies to run your plant can put you at risk of a sudden downtime as with a solar outburst or any other natural phenomenon that can impact the performance of your plant as a whole. This is why it is important to retain a few employees who know how to get the plant working rather than depend fully on automated technologies for the same.
These are some of the positive and negative effects of manufacturing technologies; while it is not all bad and some of the advances that we have made in this field should indeed be welcomed – the fact remains that some of the negatives can have a long-term effect on us and especially on our economy. That’s why we need to take corrective measures to limit the risk and damage and put the welfare of our citizens first.
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