Category: Engineering

As businesses around the UK do their best to adapt to the ‘new normal’, manufacturing companies are quickly finding that IoT technologies will play an integral role in their business over the coming years. In particular, augmented reality (AR) has already shown just how important it is for many manufacturers, with experts from the sector extensively using the technology during lockdown.

In this article, we will take a look at what augmented reality is, how it works in manufacturing and the role this technology is set to have in the coming months and years as we all adapt to the ‘new normal’.

What Is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image of the real world. It allows the user to make real time interactions with the real world environment that is being mirrored in AR, and is increasingly used in a number of sectors.

It’s fair to say that many people still associate augmented reality as a pretty futuristic technology, but in reality, it’s actually been around for a number of years now. Augmented reality has grown in recent years and has allowed millions of people to continue operating in their roles completely remotely.

It is easy to get augmented reality and virtual reality mixed up, but the easiest way to differentiate the two is by remembering that virtual reality refers to computer-generated environments for the user to interact with, whereas augmented reality actually adds to the reality you would see, rather than replacing it altogether.

How Does Augmented Reality Work In Manufacturing?

There is an ever-increasing market for this technology in the workplace. Manufacturing has already seen a huge uplift in the number of companies utilising augmented reality regularly in the workplace, and with the coronavirus pandemic hitting the UK in late March, even more businesses have been forced into using the technology extensively.

With some manufacturing experts being forced to work from home, augmented reality allowed these remote employees to see the physical world on video. During these sessions, the employee using augmented reality technology was able to annotate physical objects by simply using either their smartphone or wearable technology.

All of this means that despite the majority of the workforce being forced to work remotely, there was no need to furlough some staff who could continue to carry out their day to day roles from their own living room. Augmented reality allows companies to have employees right across the world be involved in the build and assembly of any products. If proper processes are put in place in terms of using augmented reality, such as giving employees a set agenda to follow during their augmented reality sessions, it ensures they run as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Moving forward, with augmented reality proving a success in the manufacturing industry already, it’s fair to say that this could lead to businesses conducting more of their work remotely where possible. For example, traditionally engineers and technicians would have to travel between sites to resolve any issues with equipment, but augmented reality is capable of cutting out needless travel, enabling these experts to give front line workers a step by step guide to resolving any problems.

The Future Of Augmented Reality & Manufacturing

It’s clear to see that augmented reality and IoT technologies in general are already having a profound effect on the manufacturing industry. All signs suggest that there will be an increased reliance on augmented reality technologies as the years go by, but of course this will be rolled out across the industry slowly and incrementally.

At present, augmented reality is mainly used in the design, training and routine maintenance of equipment, but there is scope for this to be expanded into the assembly and manufacturing processes too in the near future.

One of the main things that companies who wish to adopt this technology need to remember is that high-quality data management will hold the key to augmented realities overall success. With augmented reality relying solely on data to feed into the support technology, businesses will need to invest heavily in ensuring that all the data required is readily available for the software to operate effectively.
At European Springs & Pressings Ireland, we pride ourselves on being part of the largest spring suppliers group in Europe. That’s why you can always rest assured you’ll receive the very best service and products when you work with us, and why we’re always keeping our finger on the pulse of the very latest news surrounding the manufacturing industry. Our experts are consistently keeping a close eye on the latest developments in the manufacturing sector, and we are always sure to invest in the latest technologies that can help us better serve our customers, from new spring coiling machines to integrating the latest IoT technologies into our existing processes.

With the COVID-19 lockdown still in force, the news hasn’t been the most positive, including in the manufacturing industry. However, there is no denying that, in May, there were some great news stories in the sector, which we just had to share in this article.

So, we’re taking a look at some of the biggest stories from around the manufacturing and engineering world while providing our own insight.

UK Manufacturing is Recovering

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the manufacturing industry, but recent figures indicate that the sector is showing signs of recovery. A survey from HIS showed that factory output has declined at a significantly slower pace in May than it did in April.

These positive signs are due to the lockdown measures easing up slightly during May, which showcases how the industry is ready – and keen – to return to normality as soon as possible (and as much as possible). Social distancing will still remain a key element, however, with employers taking measures to ensure the safety of their staff.

In June, figures should continue to show more signs of recovery for more manufacturers. This is because most non-essential shops and workplaces are set to open on the 15^th June.

Safety remains very important and employers will continue to keep it in mind for the foreseeable future. However, it’s also important that, while observing these measures, manufacturers do all they can to get the industry back up and running. UK products and services could hold the key to the country’s wider economic recovery in upcoming months and years.

75% of People Now Believe Strongly in UK Manufacturing

New research by Cadence Innovation Marketing shows that 75% of people now believe more strongly in the importance of UK manufacturing. 2,000 adults from around the UK participated in this study. The findings point to 75% of people being firmly behind the manufacturing sector, especially due to how the industry has handled the pandemic challenge.

UK manufacturing stepped up to the challenge and helped to support the nation during these difficult times, so people believe the sector can help improve the economy in the upcoming months.

76% of people are also worried about cheap imported goods coming into the country. COVID-19 is still, understandably, a concern for many, which is why UK manufacturing should continue growing its output and create high-quality products.

We’re spring manufacturers, so we think it’s great that the vast majority of people are behind manufacturing and understand its importance. We’ve been keeping up production and helping several sectors during the outbreak, including healthcare, and we’ll continue to do so in the coming times.

NASA and SpaceX Had a Successful Launch and Docking with the ISS

A great piece of news that happened very recently was the combined venture between NASA and SpaceX that saw the successful rocket launch and docking with the ISS. This mission showcases how modern engineering and manufacturing have advanced and how bright their future looks.

In late May, after a delay due to bad weather conditions, the mission finally received the go ahead. For the first time, NASA astronauts launched from US soil on a commercially built spacecraft, which coincided with the first manned launch of a spacecraft in almost a decade as well.

SpaceX Crew Dragon launched on Saturday 30^th May at 3.22pm UK time. The two NASA astronauts and test pilots, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, docked with the International Space Station around 19 hours after lift-off – this journey had the spacecraft orbit the earth at staggering speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hours.

Elon Musk formed SpaceX in 2002 and, since then, the company has tried to help humanity become an interplanetary species. One of their goals is to create a colony on Mars and, considering the success SpaceX are currently enjoying, we believe this is now more likely than ever.

New Stretchable, Self-Healing and Illuminating Material

A new material called HELIOS, which stands for Healable Low-Field Illuminating Optoelectronic Stretchable, has been created. It can be used in wearable technology and in robotics, and offers self-healing, stretchable and electronic properties.

These features have a wide range of applications and will probably become a key part of future inventions as well. We believe this is the type of material that will define the future of the sector, as it will likely be extensively used in many different ways.

You can read more about this fantastic material in Interesting Engineering’s post.

At European Springs & Pressings Ireland, we believe it’s important to be aware of what’s going on in the industry, so you can expect to see more news roundups on our blog page. From company updates to articles on our vast range of products, you can find it all there, so check in regularly to stay up to date.

Contact us for any enquiries and we’ll be happy to discuss your project with you.

 

 

If your business is currently immobilised by the lockdown, you might be thinking that now would be the perfect time to brush up on areas of your business that are often left a little overlooked.

Continuing to use your time as productively as possible during the lockdown will give you an advantage over your competition, but if you’re thinking about getting up to speed with the manufacturing landscape at large – the confusion and difficulties currently faced by the industry might be making it difficult to discern what the future might hold.

Despite this, we’re going to be providing you with words from the experts and plenty of established resources from which you can draw your thoughts and plan ahead.

Thoughts from SAGE

Published by SAGE, this intellectual white paper comes from the co-founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Smart Customization Group. In the paper, various surveys have been undertaken to help manufacturers to understand what could help their company to succeed, and how the biggest names have continued to stay at the top.

To summarise the main points of the paper, manufacturing companies should be thinking about how they can improve their Sharing, Vision, Flexibility and Optimisation strategies. These values call for businesses to think about how they can benefit from being more open about their technologies, to think outside of making changes only for operational efficiency, and to train employees to question current business processes and put forward solutions and ideas for improvement.

These tips may sound familiar, but the difference with this paper is that it requests that the manufacturing industry starts to take these suggestions more seriously than previously recommended. More drastic changes need to be made for the industry to evolve, and you can better understand how to implement these new types of thinking into your business by reading the paper.

You can download the Annual Manufacturing Report of 2020 here.

Changes in UK Manufacturing

Those businesses that are currently attempting to revolutionise their shop floors are looking into cutting edge types of machinery and training. By training the factory floor to think like a designer might, they will be able to better understand the machines they work so closely with and therefore be able to identify where certain processes could be improved.

At an equipment level, one might consider how AI is changing the nature of manufacturing to be more efficient, too. More than just efficiency, however, a talented businessperson would consider the effect that installing an AI system is going to have on their staff, and how they can make the most of these changes to retrain staff and create new roles within the company.

Servitised Business Models

One of the most important concepts in manufacturing currently revolves around creating a servitised business model, and over 78% of polled UK businesses believe they have correctly adopted this idea, or are in the process of doing so (PWC).

This means adopting a plan that puts your service first. The Telegraph explained the concepts behind the model in 2018 as:

• ‘Changing the ways that customers buy, and vendors sell’.
• ‘A shift from selling products, to offering services wrapped around the products’.
• Using the Internet of Things to improve products.

An example of how one industry has evolved to use the IoT would be the domestic printing manufacturing industry. It is now quite common for individuals to buy printers which come with services dependent on the IoT. For example, when the printer runs out of ink, the printer recognises this and automatically buys the owner a new set of ink cartridges – this is how services are being sold alongside products in the modern world, and this kind of thinking can be applied to various household items as has been shown by the wave of Smart technology and lighting currently in production.

Adopting this type of thinking for your product will be a complex process, but it is becoming more apparent that those businesses who fail to adjust to the growing Smart demands of their customers are likely going to get left behind.

This is a fantastic time for innovation in manufacturing, but patience and diligence will be required for your company to succeed. During these uncertain times, it is now more important than ever for you to assess how the needs of your clientele are changing, and how you can improve your company to accommodate these needs and profit from them.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the article states that the British manufacturing scene is in a good position, ahead of Europe, Australia and the US. This means that this is a good business to be working in currently.

As our everyday devices are becoming more complex and electronic, our services as spring manufacturers have never been more key. Speak to us today about how we can help your company to developed its latest product.

Ensuring that the manufacturing industry is completely future-proofed is an essential and ongoing task that the government and leading companies from within the sector are constantly seeking to solve and refine. The government’s recent announcement that the Materials Science Technologist (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship has been approved, after two years of development, has spread optimism within the industry that the UK is prepared for the future.

We take a closer look at exactly what the course entails, whilst also taking a wider look at the impact this course, and others, will have on the future of the manufacturing industry.

 

What Is Included in The New Apprenticeship?

The Materials Science Technologist Degree Apprenticeship provides a bachelor’s degree and extensive workplace experience, which allows all apprentices who have completed the course to easily transition into a fully-fledged job within the industry. Following the national programme’s approval by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, this course is available to all students, universities and employers in the UK.

One of the major benefits this particular apprenticeship provides to employers is that it is completely customisable and can be amended to meet the needs of any manufacturing organisation. For example, students can work with almost any materials within a manufacturing setting, from metals to rubbers and composites – this makes it perfect for almost any manufacturing business to take on students for work placements.

Industry experts have already applauded the governments decision to back this new course, with many of them stating that it is the ideal opportunity for the industry to address the ever-growing skills gap within manufacturing. Industry bosses are hopeful that the course will allow students to undertake technical on-the-job training, allowing them to be more prepared for a career within the manufacturing and engineering industry.

At present, the course is being supported by Staffordshire University, Sheffield Hallam, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Birmingham and the University of Derby. However, the number of universities offering this course is expected to rise in the coming years due to the inevitable popularity of the course.

 

Addressing The Skills Gap In the Manufacturing Industry

It’s no surprise that an apprenticeship such as this has been approved by the government, with cries from the sector about the lack of skilled workers exiting current university courses. There’s been no lack of coverage about the sheer lack of young skilled workers entering the manufacturing industry in the last few years; with more experienced and skilled workers coming towards retirement age recently, companies have struggled to replace those workers with young employees of a similar calibre.

The vast majority of manufacturing employers have made it clear that they were struggling to find young people coming through university with the necessary qualifications and skills that would enable them to fit into their business quickly and effectively. Whilst manufacturing bosses conceded there would be an inevitable bedding in period for any graduates coming directly from university, there was no evidence that some young workers were anywhere near ready for the fast-paced nature of the manufacturing industry.

The new course that has been introduced will give students a far more advanced look at manufacturing and the science of materials used throughout the sector. This will inevitably lead to the students going into the workplace with a far greater understanding of how materials can be best used in practice within a manufacturing setting. Beyond this, the course will place heavy emphasis on more problem solving and effective production techniques, two skills which are at the heart of any manufacturing business.

The hope is, that by best preparing young people on the course for working life within this new apprenticeship, the transferable skills they learn from within the course will help to alleviate some of the concerns manufacturing businesses have about the ever-growing skills gap within the industry. Whilst it’s fair to say that only time will tell if the new apprenticeship will have the desired effect, there is genuine optimism from those within the industry that this course could well be the start of a more effective form of apprenticeship within the industry.

At European Springs & Pressings, we understand just how important it is to consistently grow our young workforce, that’s why we have been taking on apprentices for a number of years now. Our position as one of the UK’s leading spring manufacturers allows us to take on a number of eager apprentices each year, as we look to close the skills gap within the industry by giving each of our young employees the very best education from within our business.

We will continue to refine our apprenticeship offering over the next few years, in line with new government initiatives, to continue providing the industry with capable, skilled young workers.

The nature of the manufacturing and engineering industry is extremely fast-paced and ever-changing. With that in mind, we thought it may be useful to round up some of the most interesting and important stories from the manufacturing industry, so you can keep right up to date with the very latest developments from the sector.

Read on to find out more about how Coronavirus is affecting the supply chain, among other recent news stories affecting the industry.

Coronavirus and the Supply Chain

It’s fair to say that you can’t go on any news website at the moment without seeing a news story about Coronavirus, and the deadly virus is even having an affect on supply chains from a whole host of industries. Manufacturing supply chains are facing months of disruption, as factories around the world are struggling to operate at full strength due to the outbreak.

How Does The Future of Mobility Look?

In the automotive world, there is an obvious shift in the thinking of manufacturers. With more and more emphasis being placed on the evolution of electric vehicles and phasing out diesel and petrol vehicles over the coming years. Whilst a lot has been said about the future of mobility, an article from The Engineer delves deeper into the topic, paying particular attention to the issue surrounding vehicle charging speed.

At present, the charging speed of vehicles seems to be one of the biggest reasons for consumers looking elsewhere when shopping for a vehicle. There is good reason for this, with charging ports not only being few and far between throughout Europe, but also the fact that vehicles take a significant amount of time to fully charge.

Find out more about the future of mobility by reading the article on The Engineer!

Manufacturers Will End Investment Standstill When Brexit Uncertainty is Clear

The Independent have reported that manufacturing companies will only increase investment when the UK’s ‘direction of travel’ relating to Brexit is clear. The news came about from a survey conducted with over 330 companies in UK manufacturing by Make UK. The survey suggests that one in four companies view increasing investment allowances as the main priority for the government, with over a fifth of respondents calling for a cut in corporation tax.

You can find out more about the manufacturing survey by visiting The Independent’s recent article.

Making The Most Of Big Data In Manufacturing

With advancements in all manner of technology, from augmented reality to 3D printing, there is an added pressure to ensure that technology is integrated into existing processes as efficiently as possible from manufacturing bosses. With an ever-increasing pressure from customers, it’s imperative that your business makes the most out of big data, integrating it into each and every step of the manufacturing process to create a more streamlined approach to manufacturing products.

You can find out more about big data in manufacturing by visiting the full article on Manufacturing Management’s website. The piece takes a closer look at why data is so important in manufacturing, whilst also addressing what manufacturers need to do once they have collated and interpreted data.

How To Develop A UK Manufacturing Workforce For The Future

Much has been made about the state of the manufacturing workforce in recent years, with many older and vastly skilled employees coming to the end of their careers, there is a significant shortage of younger workers entering the industry. With that in mind, you may be wondering just how your business can develop a workforce for the future, especially if you are in a situation where many of your key employees are close to retirement.

With an estimated 80% of manufacturing companies struggling to recruit the talent that they need to compete within their field, it’s pretty clear that things need to be done. This article from PES Media gives some great recommendations on how you can succeed in developing young talent within the manufacturing workplace, so it’s well worth a read if you’re in the process of training younger members of the team.

The team here at European Springs & Pressings Ireland pride themselves on being at the very forefront of spring manufacturers in the UK. We know that it’s absolutely vital that we take the time to understand everything that is going on within the engineering and manufacturing industry, so we can best serve our customers and future proof our business operations. If you would like to keep right up to date with the very latest news coming out of the industry, be sure to check in on our blog regularly for the updates from the sector.