3D Metrology Conference
3D Metrology Conference at Loughborough University.
Two weeks ago, Manufacturing Quality travelled down to Loughborough University for the 3D Metrology Conference. At the Holywell Park Conference Centre, a selection of speakers provided thoughtful insights on a variety of subject matters including metrology, automation, measurement, robotics, digital twins, and sensor technology.
Following these speaker sessions, we have created a list of the top five things we learned at the conference.
1) Humans aren’t redundant in manufacturing
Perhaps one of the most refreshing angles the conference took is not making human interactions within manufacturing the problem – but rather part of the solution. There is plenty of literature detailing the variety of benefits relating to the automation of manufacturing processes, from productivity and quality improvements to cost reductions and environmental benefits.
While the conference didn’t deny the clear benefits of automation, speakers at the event went out of their way to also outline the benefits of the human workforce even with modern technologies.
2) In fact, we need to bolster the manufacturing industry's human workforce
The continued uptake of automation processes throughout the global industrial market is well documented. In 2022, the global industrial automation market size was valued at $205.86 billion, with it projected to reach $395.09 by 2029. But there may be trouble on the horizon. The global manufacturing workforce has seen a declining trend in recent years, for example in the UK between the years 2000 and 2010, the manufacturing workforce declined by nearly 1.5 million. While automation may hold part of the key to solving the workforce deficit, the process also poses its own issues.
During our time at 3DMC, we learnt that actually, the manufacturing industry doesn’t have enough humans in the workforce to operate the automated systems that companies are installing. The industry refers to this as the demography challenge faced by the industry, as there is a decreasing workforce.
3) Metrology holds the key to dealing with data overload
The digitalisation of the manufacturing industry has provided a host of opportunities and challenges for manufacturers. One of these key issues is the vast amount of data companies now can collect. As detailed in The Manufacturer, “The success or failure of a digitalisation project can all hinge on the quality and integrity of the data, and how it is managed within the organisation.” However, many manufacturers are struggling to manage the amount of data they are now being subjected to.
With that in mind, metrology may be the manufacturing industry’s solution to this increasing issue. This is because metrology processes are well versed in delivering the right data, at the right time. Ensuring that the user only receives the information that they actually need.
4) Current metrology goals
According to the speakers at the event, manufacturers may look into adopting metrology solutions if they wish to make improvements in one of the three following areas:
- Improve quality assurance levels.
- Increase efficiency seen throughout the manufacturing process and regarding the final product.
- Enhance sustainability and reduce rejected products with the aim of saving money, making the company more efficient, and minimising waste.
5) Trends that define the future of metrology
Finally, the four main trends that are set to define the future of metrology were repeatedly discussed at the conference. Not only will these challenges outline the future, but they also help form the metrology solutions and technologies we see today. These trends are known as:
- Resilience.
- Sustainability.
- Demography.
- Digitalisation.
Manufacturing Quality will further explore and define these four trends in a future blog post for our Measure Twice, Cut Once platform.