As humans, we’re constantly evolving, and as a result, our needs are continually changing. We rely heavily on the manufacturing, engineering, and technology industries to meet those demands. Whether in our personal or professional lives, we usually find ourselves looking for the next big thing to make our lives easier. For the most part, we were never disappointed. Artificial intelligence, green manufacturing, 3D printing, and smart technology have helped us in ways we couldn’t have imagined even 20 years ago.
Technology, engineering, and manufacturing have helped speed up tasks, reduce energy usage, solve many supply chain issues, reduce waste, and even solve labor shortages in some areas. It can be challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving changes in these sectors. Things move fast, so in this blog, we’ll explore some current trends in manufacturing, engineering, and technology.
1. Smart Factory Practices
The Industrial Revolution was a time of great innovation and rapid growth in the manufacturing sector. It allowed for speed and mass production and made life easier for factory workers. Today, that trend continues and has even been named The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Innovation and design are changing the ways businesses manufacture, produce, and distribute products to their customers.
While many of these practices rely on automation and digital technology, some are through ingenious products that have been improved over time. For example, in mills that produce crushed materials like cement and stone, devices used for crushing are vital. FC proliner mill liners for ball mills are a prime example of a modernized gadget that is in high demand right now. These proliners that were once heavy expelled large amounts of dust and could be a safety hazard are now being designed using lightweight materials like rubber and graphite.
This means they’re easier to install, increase speed, are safer to use, and decrease exposure to harmful dust. Overall, smart factories and plants focus on becoming more employee-friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable. Many factories are using green energy to cut carbon emissions and reinventing packaging designs to use more recyclable materials.
2. Smart Packaging and Insulation
When you think of intelligent packaging and insulation, your mind probably goes to packing peanuts and those zip ties that hold kids’ toys hostage. While that is part of it, some pretty new trends will amaze even the most tech-savvy consumers. Innovative packaging begins while products are still in the manufacturing plant. For example, most known chemical production is a delicate and often dangerous process. So many companies have installed carbon raschig rings to insulate products during the packaging phase.
These rings help the products remain stable and allow for shock absorption while keeping them from accidentally mixing with other chemicals. While racing rings are vital for the safety of workers, they may not be that exciting to the average consumer. However, let’s talk about a few that are truly amazing. The first is active packaging; this is where the packaging interacts with the product inside to increase shelf life. The packaging can detect changes to the material and release components to stabilize it.
For example, if the package detects increased moisture, it can release materials to absorb it. Another bright packaging trend is intelligent packaging. These packages use a variety of sensors, alarms, lights, and even loudspeakers to alert the outside world that the material inside requires attention. They can detect changes in temperature, humidity, and other conditions that could affect your product. There’s even an intelligent package design that will tell you if you’ve taken your pill already!
3. Cosmetic Procedures
When it comes to cosmetic procedures, there’s always a new trend around every corner. From liposuction to Botox, there’s always something available to help make us look and feel better about ourselves. The latest trends, however, can be summed up in two words: natural and non-invasive. The current trends are steering away from the big and bold most of us have seen online and on television.
More and more people opt for more subtle procedures to accentuate and amplify their features to help achieve a healthy and realistic body image. One procedure in particular that’s gaining popularity is the PDO thread technique. Polydioxanone (PDO) is the process of using dissolvable sutures under the skin. These stitches trigger collagen production, which tightens and lifts the skin.
The procedure is less invasive than a traditional facelift. It’s also less painful and requires less recovery time. Another trend in the cosmetic industry is that of body contouring. As more people decide to lose weight, more people need to get rid of loose and sagging skin.
As invasive surgery used to be the only option, now there are many ways to tighten up. One is liposuction; this procedure has come a long way in recent years and is no longer as invasive as it once was. Many people also use innovative rolling devices, seaweed wraps, and creams to increase collagen production and tighten the skin on their legs, tummies, and arms.
4. Better Uses for UV Light
We often associate UV light with the damaging effects of the sun or tanning beds. This form of light is typically associated with skin cancer, vision damage, and premature aging. But thanks to technology, we’ve managed to harness this resource and use it for many positive effects over the years. For instance, UV light has been utilized for decades to disinfect drinking and wastewater.
Other uses include disinfecting surfaces and as a therapeutic technique for many medical issues. The typical UV equipment manufacturer is also researching new ways to use this ancient technology. One trend that’s been on the rise since the pandemic of 2020 is using UV equipment to kill pathogenic organisms and improve air quality.
Airplane manufacturers have been implementing UV-based ionization systems that help keep the often stuffy cabins fresher and free from germs. This technology is also used in large office buildings where windows don’t open and recirculated air is used. Pharmaceutical companies have also begun to use UV technology to maintain sterile environments within their manufacturing plants.
5. Online and Tech-Driven Marketing
Most folks are familiar with marketing in the form of television commercials, print ads, billboards, etc.. Still, since the installation of the Internet, those forms of advertising have increasingly taken a backseat to online marketing. This technique has grown greatly in recent years with the ability to track people’s interests and easily communicate through websites, email, social media, and other online platforms.
To break it down, a consumer will peruse the internet or interact on Facebook. Maybe click on some ads or shop for products at an online retailer. Meanwhile, a digital technology consulting company is gathering all that data and information and organizing it.
They use web analytics, customer insights, web traffic, and other information to form a profile. They will then take it to their client and advise them how to use the information to target the customer base needed for their product. Businesses will then use specific technology, software, and strategies to improve online marketing promotions and advertising.
6. Maneuvering Manufacturing Materials
Most of us have learned about The Great Pyramids. While exactly how they were constructed remains a mystery, we do know that the technology and tools had to be precise and highly advanced for the time to create such perfection. Just being able to move the material was a feat in itself.
Today, engineers continue that quest to move large, bulky materials to make it easier and more productive for warehouses, factories, and their employees. One way they do this is with the use of synthetic web slings. These slings are made from nylon or polyester and are used to lift heavy, cumbersome materials. This material is a trendy alternative to the chains and wire rope used in the past.
Not only do slings made from this material do less damage to products, but they make life easier for workers. Synthetic slings are lightweight, flexible, and easy to handle. This makes maneuvering large materials like timber and piping much faster and safer.
Another device that’s made life easier in warehouse settings is automated and robotic lifts. This machinery can be programmed to lift enormous amounts of heavy, often dangerous objects in half the time of its human counterparts. They also keep humans from being injured.
7. Digital Insurance
If you’ve ever dealt with insurance, you know the struggle. Obtaining it, keeping track of it, and filing claims can be an arduous and frustrating process. But thanks to technology, those days are becoming a thing of the past. The current trend among many insurance companies is to provide customers with digitized platforms and tools that make insurance products much more efficient for everyone.
Clients can track claims, access their policies, make payments, and receive 24-hour customer service online or from their mobile phones. There are even options for digital insurance enrollment. This means no waiting; you’re covered immediately, and you receive a temporary digital insurance card immediately. Not only does this make everything more accessible, but it also helps reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction.
8. Smart Use of Space
As our population continues to grow, construction continues to happen. One trend that has been gaining popularity is to use the space we have to increase our living and work areas. More and more people are extending their home’s square footage using once-dormant areas such as attics, basements, and garages. Technology is helping this, along with developing valuable products that solve issues related to these expansions.
For example, for those wanting to turn their garage into a family room, garage door companies now offer retractable screens that can be used to allow for ventilation while keeping out insects and direct sunlight. If you’re turning your basement into a home office, you’re in luck, as there are now several brands of waterproof bondcoat on the market that offer water protection for concrete foundations and floors.
9. Eco-Friendly Water Softeners
When water softeners were invented at the turn of the 20th century, they were all the rage for well-to-do homeowners. This nifty technological advance filtered out calcium, magnesium, and other harsh minerals that gave the water a heavy taste, left a film on everything, and wreaked havoc on plumbing. Then came the discovery that the salt used in the softeners was hazardous to the environment. The brine-based wastewater is discharged into the waterways, which upsets the ecological balance.
As a result, the use of water softener systems plummeted. Lately, however, they’ve enjoyed a resurgence because, thanks to technological advances, new salt-free versions have hit the market. Combining a salt-free system with a simple water filter can give you great-tasting, safe drinking water while protecting your appliances and pipes.
10. Custom Made Computers
While the trend of DIY custom computers is nothing new, the technology used and how we use them is constantly evolving. Custom computers have always been and continue to be popular with online gamers. However, they’re becoming more popular with businesses and individuals looking to increase productivity and personalize performance. A custom computer allows users to choose the level of storage and RAM they need. It also lets people choose high-end parts unavailable in store-bought computers.
They’re often cheaper than brand-name units, and you can install your security. For more technical users, a custom-made system offers more hardware configuration options. The warranty and customer service on individual parts are often much better than that of a name-brand computer. Building your computer can give you a sense of pride while expanding your technical knowledge. Finally, your custom-made machine can be created to look like just about anything you want.
The manufacturing, engineering, and technology industries are constantly improving, upgrading, and improving how things are done. They provide countless resources that make our lives easier and more streamlined. Even if you don’t personally use a product, chances are you benefit from it, so it’s always interesting to read up on them and be familiar. We hope this blog helped you do that.
