To create truly sustainable manufacturing processes, manufacturers must first focus their smart manufacturing efforts and technologies on several key areas.
Many manufacturing facilities are embarking on efforts to generate zero waste. This is a lofty goal and can only be achieved through the technologies of smart manufacturing. And even if the goal can’t be zero waste, a significant reduction in waste is always possible. But, manufacturers need to gather the data on when, where and why the waste is occurring and then take concrete steps to minimize or eliminate the waste.
New processes and new equipment will be big contributors. But so will modifying processes and equipment to better handle rework, operate at tighter tolerances and minimize waste from changeovers. And just as they do with energy consumption, companies also need to train their people to understand the impact their roles and actions have on the generation of waste.
Companies need to have the right people with the right skills for the job. They must use safe work practices and ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulations. They must ensure all processes are intrinsically safe and immediately address and correct any unsafe conditions. Personnel need to perform regular maintenance of all assets and always correct identified failures.Manufacturers must also think of the long-term health of their people working in manufacturing operations.
Again, manufacturers need to gather and analyze data on where, when and why they are having an environmental impact. They need to be willing to change their processes, replace their equipment and retrain their people to minimize the environmental impact. Nothing should be off the table when it comes to minimizing the environmental impact. They should continually focus and refocus their efforts to drive their environmental impact as close to zero as possible.
These efforts translate into sustainable manufacturing processes and cost-effective manufacturing processes. As companies build more and more sustainable manufacturing processes, they should find these sustainable manufacturing processes are paying for themselves due to lower energy costs, reduced waste and reduced environmental impact. The added bonus is a much safer and healthier manufacturing environment for everyone.Smart manufacturing is having a big impact on manufacturing industries.
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