The world of manufacturing is constantly changing, and predicting the future can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In 2022, manufacturing. Will likely see some trends that are similar to what we’ve seen over the past few years. While experiencing some new changes as well. We’ll look at several predictions about manufacturing in 2022 below. With each one including details on how it may change things up and how it could affect you as a manufacturer or consumer. Let’s take a look!
1) Smart, connected devices
The Internet of Things will blossom over the next few years. As manufacturers adopt connected devices into their production lines. These smart machines will be able to automate certain tasks and provide immediate feedback when issues arise. According to a recent study by Accenture, 80 percent of manufacturing executives believe. That smart technology will improve quality control. They’re also predicting that IoT devices could reduce errors by 25 percent and expedite supply chains by 5 percent.
2) Renewable energy sources
Despite their low cost and good track record, solar and wind power have had a tough time gaining popularity—largely because we don’t always know when they’ll be available. But because these are among our best sources of clean energy, it’s important to keep them at the forefront of policy discussions. The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy sources will account for 70 percent of global electricity generation by 2040.
3) Biomimicry
In a future where scarcity of natural resources is becoming a greater concern. Businesses will start to look for solutions that don’t involve digging deeper into the earth. As we consider our reliance on fossil fuels. Now is a great time to start thinking about alternative energy sources, and biomimicry—imitating. Nature to design solutions for sustainable growth—is one of them. Biomimicry can be leveraged by China sourcing companies interested in building. Environmentally friendly manufacturing facilities by looking to materials sourced from nature.
4) Autonomous vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are becoming more common, both on city streets and beyond. As these vehicles become more prevalent, so too will industry-specific applications of autonomous technology. Over time, they’ll make their way into manufacturing processes.
5) Collaborative robots
Today, fewer than 10% of industrial robots are collaborative robots. By 2023. Tat number will reach 50%. Collaborative robots work alongside humans and make life easier for everyone. In addition to being safer for humans to work with. These bots are adept at high-precision tasks like assembling electronics and packaging. While it’s true that many industries have been slow to adopt automation because. They were worried about replacing their employees, collaborative robotics is changing that paradigm.
6) Digital twins
Industrial manufacturing is all about efficiency and now, with digital twins (or digital reflections), manufacturers can see how their operations change over time. The term digital twin refers to a virtual simulation of a physical object or place, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: Imagine that you have an avatar for your body; it would look exactly like you and be able to mimic all of your movements.
Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution has been a boon to manufacturing. Its effects are clear—from increased crop yields and efficiency to lower costs, more options, and more jobs available worldwide. In fact, if you take just one thing away from these predictions for industrial manufacturing in 2022, it should be that these advances will only continue. The question isn’t if manufacturing will change; it’s how it will change—and what you can do to prepare your business for those changes as they happen.
