The term “Internet of Things” (IoT) refers to the interconnected network of “things” that include electronics, software, and other technologies to communicate and share information with other devices and systems online. These gadgets vary from ordinary items around your house to the three ways IoT benefits the metal fabrication industry.
1) Better Material Handling
To fabricate metals well, one must first understand their properties. When choosing, it’s important to consider characteristics like corrosion resistance, ductility, yield, and tensile strength. Together, they establish whether the metal is workable and what the final product will look like and do.
In the manufacturing industry, laser cutters have a reputation for being among the most adaptable alternatives because of the wide variety of materials they can process. These devices can process wood, plastic, paper, and metal.
The big brains at MIT demonstrated IoT might boost laser cutter operators’ assurance while cutting different materials. They built a sensing platform they called SensiCut. It’s a supplement for regular laser cutters.
The breakthrough combines a laser’s ability to detect minute surface features by combining speckle detection, a kind of optical analysis, with linked sensors and deep learning. The group believes its product has the potential to reduce waste while also providing detailed guidelines for handling a certain substance. It also makes modest modifications on its own to avoid unintended consequences.
2) Reduces Downtime
The industrial IoT may also help stop unexpected machine failures from interrupting production. Companies specializing in metal manufacturing risk falling behind on their deadlines if their equipment breaks down. Then, depending on the nature of the issue rendering the machinery useless, users may have to wait several days or weeks for new components to arrive or for expert personnel to be available for repair visits.
IoT sensors may avoid these problems by collecting data on equipment operation to spot irregularities or service requirements. One business’s IoT solution provides on-the-spot access to machine data for maintenance staff. If a client has a problem and requires technical support, the supplier of the necessary equipment will already have important background information.
In addition, metal fabricators may utilize sensor data to see which equipment has the greatest downtime and if there are any recurring patterns in the issues. With this knowledge, they may reevaluate the frequency with which they undertake specific maintenance tasks or the timing of equipment replacements.
3) Works on Specifics
IoT technologies shine throughout the metal manufacturing process if you want real-time data. Workers may streamline their operations by analyzing which parts of the process produce the intended results and which still need work.
With IoT-based weld monitoring, workers no longer rely on outdated methods like paper logs and Excel spreadsheets to evaluate quality. On the other hand, data-driven weld monitoring uses IoT sensors to capture data at the weld point for further processing and analysis with little latency. People may also transfer the linked data to their mobile devices for convenient viewing.
Weld quality information is only one thing these setups can tell you about. They may verify the shift-specific staffing levels, welding station counts, and operating conditions. That facilitates gaining a more informative overview of the facility’s entire production.
The three ways IoT benefits the metal fabrication industry illustrate the importance of constantly improving. Kaka Industrial’s metal fabrication equipment is another step you can take to boost your business to the next level. Our selection of top-tier industrial equipment will help you achieve great things you wouldn’t think are possible.