Andrew Mutch Having previously worked as an aircraft technician with HM Forces, Andy is one of our Professional Services Consultants and has been with EPLAN for 10 years. Part of Andy's role is to actively analyse customers processes, develop solution concepts and workflows for customer requirements. Andy is also our resident Harness expert! Mutch.a@eplan.co.uk Andrew Mutch auf LinkedIn

13/02/24

How Automated Engineering Services Can Save Your Business Money

Author: Andrew Mutch Time to read: minute minutes

As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, automated engineering services can no longer be considered an optional extra for your production strategy. Industry 3.0, the digital revolution, has over half a century behind it and technologists now talk of Industry 4.0 as the new era of commercial production - the rise of automation technologies and ‘smart’ or AI-powered machines in manufacturing.

However, while automated machinery helps you to keep pace with the ever-changing technology climate, it's not simply about looking towards the future. Through reduced waste, improved quality and several other factors, machinery automation solutions can save your business money in the present day. Let's see how.

1) Reduced Waste

Production often involves numerous precise but repetitive tasks. Automated machinery is ideal for such processes, reducing the possibility of human error and wastage. Reliable production standards mean raw material costs are reduced and reworking is largely avoided, and of course, while waste reduction is beneficial for your expenditure, it has the added advantage of improving environmental sustainability too

2) Improved quality

The reduction of errors in production processes not only avoids unnecessary material and time wastage but also improves the quality of your products. Automated machinery produces consistent and reliably high-quality output, by handling detailed tasks like cutting, drilling or bending. Particularly in high-precision engineering like automotive or aeronautical engineering, automation decreases the costs of reworking detailed parts and ensures that components are suitable for later-stage assembly.

3) Enhanced safety

While safety standards are now much higher in industrial production than was the case historically, some human risks cannot be entirely avoided. Production involving hazardous materials, high voltage or dangerous tools can be particularly risky. Automated machinery reduces the need for human involvement in dangerous production processes, lessening the chances of injury and their attendant human and financial costs.

4) Increased flexibility

Production lines may need to be adapted for many kinds of output. Customisable production allows businesses to offer greater consumer choice and flexibility and to adapt quickly to changing market trends or technical requirements. Programmable automated engineering services avoid the need for expensive new specialised equipment every time a change is required. Instead, configurations can be updated as needed, allowing the rapid turnaround of production run changes, boosting productivity and responsiveness.

5) Reduced lead time

Sales in manufacturing can be highly affected by lead time variability. In a fast-paced business environment, low latency in the order delivery process can be decisive for prospective customers. By streamlining production, from configuration through to manufacturing, automation lowers lead times, offering better responsiveness to customers and ultimately better profitability.

Data interchange from EPLAN to Rittal

EPLAN solutions can communicate data directly with Rittal's automated machine tooling systems, improving production efficiency and quality. EPLAN Pro Panel, for example, can be used to automate processes with Rittal automation systems for cutting, drilling, milling and much more.

To find out more about how EPLAN can support automation technology to deliver greater productivity and efficiency for your projects, please click here.

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