mechanical

 

Manufacturing is in the middle of a technological revolution. Industry 4.0 innovations are reshaping the sector, but as advanced as many technologies seem, they are ultimately new applications of old concepts. Cutting-edge technology can be intimidating for many manufacturers. Recognizing the basic mechanical principles behind them can make them approachable, helping justify their adoption. Here are some of the most significant ways technologies take fundamental mechanical concepts to new heights.

Multi-Axis Robotics

The industry’s increasingly complex physical robots showcase a new application of basic engineering concepts. Multi-axis robotics offer greater flexibility and precision than their simpler counterparts. The resulting improvements can be impressive, but they stem from a straightforward application of basic machines. Each joint on a multi-axis robot is a simple machine — often a pulley, lever, or wheel and axle. Because these structures reduce the force necessary to complete a task, combining many in one mechanism results in much higher efficiency and precision. Articulated robots, which typically have three or more axes, are the fastest-growing segment within the industrial robotics market.

Self-Driving Technology

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other self-driving technologies are also making waves in the industry. The machine learning models directing them are highly complex but depend on familiar fundamental concepts. Many self-driving systems use radar and lidar to recognize obstacles and navigate safely. Both technologies operate on the principle that energy, whether as lasers or radio waves, reflects off surfaces in line with Newton’s third law of motion. Because there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action, radar and lidar can calculate returning waves to judge distances and speeds. Applying these principles in AMRs and driverless trucks unlocks significant potential. Autonomous vehicles can consume less fuel to reduce expenses and emissions or remove distracted operators to promote safety. In this way, they also bring the principles of standardization to new processes.

Renewable Energy Storage

Many modern manufacturers are turning to renewable energy as part of a broader shift to sustainability in steel manufacturing. However, because the sun and wind are intermittent power sources, they require storage solutions to meet facilities’ around-the-clock demands. The answer lies in the basics of potential energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Manufacturers can capitalize on that concept by converting renewable power into potential force. For example, springs store mechanical energy through compression, releasing it once they decompress. Excess renewable power can compress spring-based mechanisms and drive heat induction bending services. Pumped water and compressed air enable similar storage solutions. These mechanical systems make renewables practical while removing chemical batteries’ cost and complexity concerns.

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is likewise growing across the steel fabrication Australia sector. This practice can reduce downtime by up to 50% and extend equipment life spans by 40%. Those are industry-disrupting levels of change, but the catalyst behind them is a well-known, basic concept. All engineers understand proactive repairs are preferable to running equipment to failure and that predictive maintenance helps in reducing manufacturing cycle times. Predictive maintenance operates on the same principle but takes it further. The primary difference between preventive and predictive maintenance is that the latter can recognize signs of wear earlier. Internet of Things (IoT) devices automate the inspection process to enable even more proactive action. The system itself may be relatively complex in terms of technology, but the guiding principle is straightforward.

The Last Word

Manufacturing’s rapid pace of innovation can be imposing. It may leave some businesses feeling unable to keep up because technology is moving faster than their ability to understand it. Manufacturers can overcome that barrier once they recognize futuristic technologies are little more than new applications of fundamentals they already know. Companies may not understand the intricacies of how a technology works, but they may already practice the underlying principles. Seeing the basics behind advancements removes the mystique. Manufacturers can then make informed decisions about implementing these Industry 4.0 innovations.