Automation - the answer to the challenges of appliance manufacturing?
19 September, 2023
Looking at trends, challenges, and the complexity of appliance manufacturing in a competitive global market and the benefits of automation
Appliances are found everywhere in our modern day homes.
But before they reach the kitchen or washing room, manufacturers face a series of unique market and production challenges. Extensive competition in all segments, low margins, unpredictable consumer demands and growing sustainability requirements all add to the equation of complexity.
In appliance manufacturing only the coolest and hottest survive
The world is changing faster and faster. Increased competition combined with unpredictable customer behaviour, shorter product lifecycles and uncertain global market conditions affecting demand and supply chains, is making it more difficult to predict what to produce and when to do it. On top of that, governments and markets require manufacturing to be conducted in a more sustainable manner.
Efficiency, flexibility and sustainability. All in one. In the cool business of appliance manufacturing the Smart Factory is the hottest concept today!
Smarter Manufacturing in Smart Factories
The Industry 4.0 Smart Factory is a digitized and highly automated manufacturing facility that uses connected devices, machinery and production systems to continuously collect and share data. Data that can be used to improve processes as well as proactively address any issues that may arise along the production line.
Automation
Automation in industrial manufacturing provides a future-proof answer to increasingly precise plant and machinery requirements. It allows for the greatest level of assembly line control shortening production paths and increasing efficiency. Advantages that enable more scalable, flexible and error-proof manufacturing processes that increase output, productivity and shorten the time to adapt to product mix changes. All achieved while lowering operational costs and improving ROI.
Flexibility
Electric powered tools equipped with an integrated controller can be managed and easily configured to the production system. This makes adjustments of production lines with mixed production and product variance easy. In addition, by collecting and documenting data along the assembly line, the capacity to monitor, analyse and continuously improve processes are improved. Advantages that all increase the ability to faster and more efficiently adapt the production line to internal or external changes and requirements.
Sustainability
By better controlling the assembly process down to the individual station, transitioning to smarter tools and solutions reduces the number of reworks and recalls. Materials and energy are used more efficiently and unnecessary waste is minimized. Advantages that help reduce carbon footprint. In addition, improved traceability enables more predictive maintenance which further reduces resource waste. Sustainability offers a decisive competitive advantage that matters to customers and to the bottom line profitability of any appliance manufacturer.
The Atlas Copco roadmap to Smarter Manufacturing
Smart Integrated Assembly is our five step concept for industrial manufacturers looking to transform and implement Smart Factories. It encompasses our ecosystem of tools, hardware, software and services solutions providing unrivalled competitive value in each step of the customers’ product manufacturing cycles. The result is more efficient, flexible, adaptable, and safe manufacturing processes that support reduced downtime, better use of materials and energy and a substantial waste reduction.
With the challenges faced by many appliance manufacturers, we have the solutions to help you turn up the heat on your competitors.
Learn more and be inspired!
Let us share our knowledge and experience and leave the rest to your imagination.
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Why flexibility and adaptable production lines is the future of successful appliance manufacturing!
Sustainable appliance manufacturing addresses demands from customers and your bottom line.
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Sustainable processes can save resources and help appliance manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint whilst increasing profitability. With customers and governments requiring that appliance manufacturers adhere to more sustainable processes, this is a key area that is quickly becoming a question of competitive survival.
Keeping it cool at the Electrolux refrigerator assembly line in Italy
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When the Electrolux refrigerator assembly plant in Susegana, Italy, was seeking to improve operator ergonomics and productivity they chose the automated and innovative Atlas Copco Screw Feeding System.
