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Why UK manufacturers are turning to new tech to increase productivity 

Technology is always evolving. Whether it’s to improve existing services or to fill a specific niche, technologies are constantly changing to ultimately offer organisations better applications, enhanced efficiency and better value.

This is especially prevalent in the manufacturing sector. With renewable and efficient energy options becoming more and more obtainable, UK manufacturers are making the most of these new power technologies in order to become more productive and efficient.

We’re going to be taking a look at what new energy technologies are available and how they have become popular with manufacturers. What are the benefits of turning to new energy technologies and how can Powerstar help?

What is industry 4.0 and how is it changing manufacturing?

The manufacturing industry is facing a new transformation regarding the way products are made. Thanks to the digitisation of manufacturing, the industry is now able to turn to smart and autonomous systems that are powered by data and ongoing machine learning and adaptability.

The term ‘Industry 4.0’ refers to the fourth generation of the power and industrial revolution. For example, the first industrial revolution spans back to the early 19th Century when the industry first adapted steam power to achieve large-scale production.

Industry 4.0 describes the shift from old-style manufacturing methods to modern technologies. This progressive change means that more factories and manufacturers are implementing computer systems that communicate with one another in order to reduce the amount of required human involvement. This shift towards technology within this sector will enable factories to become more efficient. Computerised equipment and smart machines will ultimately create ‘smart’ factories that will run more efficiently and create less wastage.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a key component of smart factories. This is because new machines that are used on the factory floor are equipped with smart sensors that enable the machines to connect to other web-based devices. This means that there can be less people on the factory floor and machines can be controlled remotely. This also means that important data can easily be collected from machines and analysed for maintenance purposes.

What are the capabilities of Industry 4.0?

As the rollout of Industry 4.0 technology is implemented throughout the manufacturing sector, manufacturers are finding more and more ways this technology can be used. For example, this technology has been applied to optimise logistics and supply chains, where connected supply chains can update each other in real-time to adjust production accordingly to help avoid waste. Another potential advantage of Industry 4.0 technology is being able to implement autonomous robots or self-driving vehicles within a factory or manufacturing site. Although robots seem out of reach for many companies, this technology is becoming a lot more accessible. Amazon warehouses, for example, use robot technology to safely move and distribute products throughout factories quickly and efficiently.

By making use of Cloud computing and connectivity, businesses and manufacturers can meet the demands of all factors of the sector such as engineering, supply chains and production. By storing all important information in one online Cloud enables users to analyse and process data more efficiently as well as saving on costs. By having easier access to data, manufacturers can quickly investigate trends, identify ongoing patterns and make appropriate decisions. By using Industry 4.0 techniques and methods, factories can produce customised products specifically tailored to meet customer needs, much more cost-effectively and without producing unwanted waste.

Power resilience in manufacturing

Of course, the move towards Industry 4.0 is an exciting prospect for many manufacturers as it offers a multitude of efficient applications and cost-cutting opportunities. Energy resilience is another consideration many businesses are needing to make. Manufacturing of any form requires consistent power and reliable power sources in order to run effectively without disruption. With the UK energy sector employing more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, power resilience is becoming a more pressing priority. Because larger amounts of renewable energies can be intermittent, for example, less solar power is generated in the winter months, there is a greater risk of power disruption.

Of course, we all want to make the most of greener energy, however, the unreliability of these forms of electrical power can be off-putting for manufacturers. By implementing more resilient power solutions, manufacturers and companies can use green energy as well as achieve efficient and cost-effective outcomes.

How to make manufacturing more resilient with Powerstar

There are several different power resilient options that are available to be implemented into manufacturing settings. Battery energy storage solutions are a good option for many different forms of manufacturing. Battery storage can prevent disruption that can be caused by brownouts, blackouts or dips in electricity supply, which makes them an excellent solution for manufacturers. Disruptions in production lines due to power cut-offs can be costly and delay sales or delivery. Using a battery storage solution can ensure that critical equipment can continue as needed in the event of disruption.

Powerstar offers a wide range of different energy solutions to ensure you can access renewable energy whilst maintaining reliable power supply for your business. EOS (energy optimisation system) is a suitable option for many businesses. This specialised software can be used to provide ultimate power resilience that works to prevent disruption and can be used for even sensitive and temperamental electrical equipment. Powerstar Virtue technology offers Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) options that can provide power resilience even during area-wide power outages. Having this technology installed means that manufacturing plants and sites can safely use and shut down equipment during a blackout without causing damage and unnecessary costs.

Why are UK manufacturers adopting new energy technologies to increase productivity?

There are several reasons for manufacturers to switch to newer energy technologies in order to improve their overall productivity;

• Implementing renewable energies whilst maintaining reliable power sources. Easily use renewable energy such as solar or wind without having to compromise on power for your business.
• Digitisation within manufacturing through specialist software and automotive technology enables users to prioritise and manage tasks and workloads.
• Using new energy technologies to view and retrieve vital data and information from the machines allows users to manage and maintain equipment before errors occur.
• Ensures production isn’t disrupted during peak times of energy consumption. Being able to view usage information and manage energy distribution in real-time allows you to safely shut off equipment and keep vital instruments running during blackouts
• Save money from unwanted disruptions to production from energy blackouts. Keep instrumentation running smoothly without power interruption
• New power technologies help to reduce waste. Computerised and IoT software helps to make less waste, only producing the exact amount of items you need to make, with less wasted materials

Why choose Powerstar for efficient manufacturing?

At Powerstar, we understand that the manufacturing sector relies heavily on stable and accessible power. Without a consistent and reliable source of power, your business could quickly grind to a halt, disrupting production and distribution and wasting time and money. At Powerstar, we provide reliable and suitable power resilience options to all types of businesses and manufacturers. Our technology solutions provide specifically tailored power options to suit your needs and energy goals.

Renewable energies are becoming increasingly common, and you need to ensure that your business is prepared. Powerstar can help your manufacturing site become more future proof and efficient so that you can reap the benefits of switching to resilient and more sustainable power solutions.