As the manufacturing industry undergoes a digital transformation, advanced manufacturing technology is becoming prominent within multiple industrial sectors. This is especially true in the Northeast U.S., where advanced manufacturing is the norm for several top industries in the region.
Northeast manufacturing companies embracing advanced manufacturing technology are seeing increased efficiency. This is often paired with a reduction in production costs and time. In addition to improving current operations, advanced technologies are also driving cutting edge innovation within these companies.
Learn how manufacturing industries prominent in the Northeast are utilizing advanced manufacturing technology.
Medical Manufacturing
Medical device manufacturing encompasses a number of different health-related products, from reconstructive devices to therapeutic equipment to implantable monitors. Manufacturers in this industry seek out innovation for life-saving products that help patients maintain quality of life.
Using advanced manufacturing technology has allowed these manufacturers to improve medical devices. Not only has this technology helped to increase medical device production, but it has also made these devices smarter. High tech medical devices have much more advanced sensing and transmitting capabilities, allowing patients and healthcare providers to better monitor health.
Some technologies used to improve medical device manufacturing include 3D imaging, additive manufacturing and micromanufacturing. Additive manufacturing can produce device components faster than traditional production and with fewer materials. It is also used to continue improving medical devices through prototyping.
When paired with 3D imaging, additive manufacturing can be used to create custom medical devices while still maintaining efficiency. This technology has greatly improved the design and manufacturing process for medical devices, making it more efficient and sustainable.
Medical devices are also getting smaller and less invasive. Medical components are becoming miniaturized and requiring micron dimensions. Micromanufacturing is a specialty process medical device manufacturers and suppliers use to meet these micron requirements.
Aerospace Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing technology within the aerospace industry is used to optimize development and production processes. Aerospace manufacturing relies on accuracy, precision, consistency, and quality. Adopting advanced manufacturing technologies has helped ensure aerospace products are up to standards.
Composite materials are helping to improve the performance of aircrafts as a lighter-weight alternative to traditional aircraft materials. Most importantly, the weight reduction benefit does not affect quality. Composites have thermal stability, aren’t easily damaged, and don’t have fatigue and corrosion problems.
Both additive manufacturing and CNC machining can be used to form advanced composites into aerospace components. CNC machining is used for advanced composites that are too hard for use in additive manufacturing. This method also allows for more accuracy compared to additive manufacturing.
Another advanced technology, laser welding, uses high-precision welding to join composite materials. Laser welding is also used to seal the aircraft hull and weld other aircraft components together. Like composites, laser welding helps with weight reduction and performance. Plus, it decreases production costs while improving efficiency.
Wind Power
As wind energy gains popularity in the U.S., more wind turbine and component manufacturers are popping up. Manufacturing facilities related to wind power have congregated in the Northeast. Offshore wind farms are becoming a reality in this region.
Advanced manufacturing technology has helped make wind power manufacturing systems and processes more efficient. This has allowed wind manufacturers to increase productivity enough to dramatically reduce the cost of wind power. These advancements have driven the U.S. wind industry to take off in the past decade.
Advanced manufacturing techniques have helped reduce the time it takes to produce wind turbine blades. And the possibility of 3D printed blade molds could further cut production time. There have also been innovative automation solutions developed to improve the management of wind farms. These solutions can detect problems and take appropriate programmed actions depending on the issue.
Automation technology can manage more turbines more effectively than a human operator. This helps minimize turbine downtime and cut operations costs at wind farms. The future of wind power relies on manufacturing advancements to make it a more affordable and attainable alternative energy option.
To learn more about advanced manufacturing technologies prevalent in Northeast manufacturing industries, attend EASTEC.