What’s in store for the future of factory design?
Factories exist all over the world, manufacturing a huge range of products for all kinds of industries. Factory design is essential for factories fulfil their intended purpose and stay efficient under changing conditions.
With the landscape of factory technology constantly evolving, it could be worth seeking advice from factory design consultants. This will make sure your factory goals are being maintained in the future.
The Importance of Factory Design
Green-field factories are designed with an express goal/function in mind. This allows the factory to accurately forecast its operations by considering factors like resource storage and machinery positioning. The goal is to achieve high levels of efficiency. Factory design is just as important in brown-field projects, as it allows for downsizing, expansions or other factory alterations. Oftentimes a factory will fulfil many different purposes over the course of its lifetime. Good factory design can be flexible in the face of dramatic industry changes.
A poorly designed factory can pose a health & safety risk to employees and result in a loss of efficiency.
What Will Factory Design Look Like in the Future?
In the 21st century it’s hard to predict what innovation or technological development will come next. However, there are areas of progress that are likely to influence future factory designs.
1. More Space for Automation
Thanks to the continued development of AI learning and robotics, many experts have speculated that factory workforces will change. With more mechanical tools available to factory workers, it’s likely factory design will adapt to accommodate this. In some cases, factory production floors might be designed exclusively to house digitally operated machines. Space can then be reallocated elsewhere in the factory to aid other processes.
2. Sustainability
Another effect of technology advances is greater visibility of production and manufacturing processes. An experienced process design consultant can therefore improve supply chain sustainability. This is because process efficiency can be increased by cutting energy usage, equipment degradation and maintenance costs.
Future developments in factory design will also help factories become more environmentally sustainable. Proper ventilation and waste disposal systems can be established at an early stage in the design process. This is a likely development as there are already incentives for sustainable factory operations. One example is green leases.
3. Advanced Design Software
Technologies like Virtual Reality and 3D printing allow factory designs to be viewed in greater detail. This can help explain design methodology, while improving the accuracy of equipment models and factory layouts. New factory design projects are therefore likely to be more advanced.
AI powered software can also show what would happen following proposed brown-field factory design changes. For instance, adding extra space might allow for the lengthening of a conveyor belt system but disrupt air flow. This lets factory design consultants make better informed decisions.
Conclusion
The global manufacturing sector is showing no signs of slowing down. This, combined with new technology trends, demonstrates the importance of adaptability in factories. In the coming years we’re likely to see factory design respond to changing market conditions. Factory design consultants will be instrumental in helping companies utilise new design techniques like 3D imaging and virtual reality.
Looking for factory consultants with a proven track record? FESS has a range of consultancy services that can be applied to any factory design project. Complete your project requirements on time and on budget with our team of professional factory consultants. Contact us today.