9 Trends that shape the future of Electronics Manufacturing
The electronic manufacturing industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally and in the new era of Industry 5.0, electronics manufacturers face increasing pressures to implement innovative processes and next generation technologies.
They must adapt their manufacturing approach to meet customer requests for more innovative, more user-friendly goods that become part of their daily lives and meet their needs combine this with an increasingly shorter time to market. Global competition, the need for new manufacturing technologies and flexibility intensify the pressure for manufacturers. Recent manufacturing trends are generating new challenges and risks for electronics manufacturers but they are creating new opportunities for any manufacturer ready to embrace and invest in next generation manufacturing tools.
Whirlpool, Siemens, Hirotec, Tesla, Bosch, and Ocado, among others, have all turned their traditional factories into digitally smart facilities that incorporate all of the cutting-edge technology necessary to improve and optimize their production process.
To make the manufacturing process manageable and deliver advanced products, we will look at the top trends in the electronics manufacturing industry.
1. Industry 5.0
Industry 4.0 was all about optimizing production time and costs — digital technologies created “the smart factory”. While the manufacturing industry continues to make strides in this area the pandemic has accelerated the push toward the next evolutionary stage — Industry 5.0. Simply put, Industry 5.0 adds a human touch to automation, combining industrial automation with human cognitive skills and critical thinking. Imagine the possibilities of combining the speed and accuracy of bots with the cognitive and emotive faculties of the human workforce. The pandemic was the impetus too lean on technologies that reduce human contact. There is a need for remote-operated machines guided by higher critical thinking skills. It’s a giant leap from a state of automation that simply handles tedious, repetitive tasks (robotic process automation, or RPA) to automation with “a human touch.”
2. Utilizing the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things is being used in both the manufacturing process and the products themselves and connects everyday devices through the internet, allowing easy sharing and receiving information through electronic devices. It enables electronic manufacturing products and processes to become more intelligent and performance-driven to fulfill business and customer needs.
In electronics manufacturing, the Internet of Things (IoT) enables businesses to gather and analyze real-time data and processes and solve common production challenges such as product quality issues, changing demands, and a complex global supply chain. As a result it increases productivity and efficiency while reducing human effort. It transforms traditional manufacturing into an intelligent manufacturing unit.
3. Using an ERP system
ERP systems have been around for years but it is worth mentioning the benefits of embracing this technology when looking to expand the electronic manufacturing. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a centralized management system for all operational and business activities. The software automates all manufacturing processes and enables the electronics manufacturer to achieve higher precision throughout the manufacturing process and product delivery.
With the use of the internet in all operations, it is now more critical for an electronics manufacturer to use real-time information; ERP helps you optimize and automate new information in real-time and boost productivity, improve efficiency, decrease expenses, and increase profitability. It enables electronics manufacturers to forecast, plan, modify, and respond to changing market demands. By using an ERP system in your manufacturing unit, you may expand your business and increase revenue.
4. Making use of Big Data
Corporations worldwide have been exclusively using big data. Much of this was because it was expensive to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, advancements in IoT and other cutting-edge technologies have made it possible for businesses of all sizes to draw information from multiple sources. This has made big data more valuable than it was.
The electronics manufacturing industry benefits from the use of big data to make critical business decisions. It aids in the integration of previously isolated systems to provide a comprehensive view of industrial processes. It also automates data gathering and processing, allowing for more excellent knowledge of each system individually and collectively.
Big data also assists manufacturers in discovering new information and identifying trends, allowing them to optimize operations, improve supply chain efficiency, and find variables that impact manufacturing quality, volume or consistency. In addition big data assists the electronics manufacturing industry in keeping up with the rapidly changing digital world.
5. Using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
AR and VR are future manufacturing technologies that are changing electronics manufacturing products and driving growth. Robotics is a crucial usage of virtual reality in electronics production. Manufacturers may use powerful virtual reality software to design goods. This implementation of virtual reality software helps in designing consumer-friendly products and reduces production errors, saving time and money.
AR in electronics manufacturing allows product developers to generate interactive 3D views of new products before production. AR and VR are part of Industry 4.0, the digital revolution of conventional electronics production units.
6. Adoption of 3D Printing on a wide scale
One of the essential advantages of today’s electronics 3D printing is that companies can quickly prototype PCB’s and other electrical devices in-house. In addition, 3D printing has simplified the electronics manufacturing process, and it is currently being utilized to manufacture multilayer printed circuit boards. It uses material jetting technology to spray conductive and insulating inks onto the printing surface.
7. Use of Industrial Robotics
For years, the automotive industry was the leading driver in the growth of industrial robotics. However, this has changed, and industrial robotics have been used in electronic manufacturing to perform several tasks in recent years.
The use of robots in electronic manufacturing has allowed miniaturization and reshoring. Moving forward in innovations, design, and operations, manufacturers across the board are looking for ways to increase efficiency. The use of robots has proven an essential tool.
8. Continued Reshoring
In the last few decades globalization decimated national boundaries and led to a seamless global supply chain. Several businesses relied on parts, products, and services from overseas. Reshoring has been somewhat of an unexpected trend in recent years and has been affected by a variety of factors. Much of this is driven by trade barriers, COVID-19, rise of robotics, and more active economies across the world, which has increased the cost of operations in many countries.
The pandemic brought international freight and transport to a grinding halt and caused severe disruptions in the global supply chain. Alongside this is increased transportation costs and it prompted many companies to accelerate reshoring, i.e., resuming domestic production of goods instead of importing them.
9. Shift from B2B to B2B2C
Traditionally, manufacturers largely relied on a B2B sales model to serve customers. But they began to discover that they had little visibility of their customer’s needs while customers themselves were increasingly demanding more personalized products and services. In fact, according to recent research by Salesforce, 70% of business buyers expect an “Amazon-like” buying experience from B2B portals. especially millennials and Gen Z, can notice the lack of connection between B2Bs and B2Cs.
With the use of the B2B2C approach, companies are now working towards eliminating intermediaries, which helps them reach the clients directly; as a result, it increases company profits and, in turn, reduces purchase costs. Additionally, the B2B2C approach enables the manufacturers to collect accurate customer data, improving customer satisfaction.
The electronics manufacturing sector is on the verge of a digital revolution that will improve the production process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Many of the world’s biggest firms, like Apple, Microsoft, Hitachi, and Saline lectronics are developing future agile factories to keep up with the world’s digital transformation. Future manufacturing technology will help your manufacturing company make the manufacturing process more efficient and boost revenue.
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