Advanced Manufacturing, Technology Acceleration & Innovation

Advanced Manufacturing, Technology Acceleration & Innovation

Advanced Manufacturing Services

Advanced manufacturing is defined as the use of innovative technologies to create existing products and the creation of new products, including production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking (Source: manufacturing.gov). That’s a lot to process, but it simply means making sure your company is using the “latest and greatest” technology and FloridaMakes can help get you there.

Advancements in manufacturing use new technologies, improved processes, and management methods to enhance manufacturing. These include machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) that are integrated for increased automation, improved communication and self-monitoring, and the production of smart machines that can analyze and diagnose issues without the need for human intervention.

Manufacturing success is all about resilience. Agility becomes increasingly critical to remain competitive in normal times, and in times of disruptions like what we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic. The technologies and human interfaces will help to plan, prove and scale value; defining your journey to becoming a data-driven, resilient enterprise with a culture of innovation.

Design for Manufacturability

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is the process of proactively designing products to:

1. optimize all the manufacturing functions: fabrication, assembly, test, procurement, shipping, delivery, service, and repair.
2. assure the best cost, quality, reliability, regulatory compliance, safety, time-to-market, and customer satisfaction.

Design for Manufacturability reduces costs since products can be quickly assembled from fewer parts. Thus, products are easier to build and assemble, in less time, with better quality. Parts are designed for ease of fabrication and commonality with other designs. DFM encourages standardization of parts, maximum use of purchased parts, modular design, and standard design features. Designers save time and money by not having to "re-invent the wheel." The result is a broader product line that is responsive to customer needs. 

Companies that have applied DFM have realized substantial benefits. Costs and time-to-market are often cut in half with significant improvements in quality, reliability, serviceability, product line breadth, delivery, customer acceptance and, in general, competitive posture.

Technology Acceleration

• Technology Scouting – Have you been trying to solve a problem knowing the technology solution must be out there somewhere, but your company lacks the skills or resources to find that solution? Technology Scouting is a systematic and comprehensive approach to searching outside your company’s normal channels to find viable solutions to your specific technology needs.

• Technology Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI) – Is your company considering launching a new product or entering a new market? Do you wish you had better real-world validated insight into the specific barriers and opportunities – both technical and market - that exist to help your company make better strategic decisions? TDMI is a focused approach to market intelligence which directly evaluates the benefits and market impacts related to your company’s specific technology-based asset – whether that be an idea, product, or process.

FloridaMakes can help your company learn about new technologies and their business implications and applications; identify and deploy new technologies to solve problems or gain competitive advantage; increase access to applicable research and technology available at federal labs and universities and help navigate the process; and commercialize new technology.  

Baldrige-Based Assessment for Integration of Advanced Technologies into Manufacturing Operations 

Manufacturers face competitive difficulties today in acquisition of adequate workforce skills and knowledge, and the subsequent negative impact on productivity. Innovation in all aspects of a manufacturing business is a remedy. Concurrently, the digital age is evolving with accelerated advancements in materials and manufacturing technologies, as well as in information technology and data sciences. The culture of transformation and innovation that is happening now is reminiscent of the 1980s “culture of quality” which is evident in today’s manufacturing. The digital perspective of transformation is taking place in all sectors of the economy, not unlike the quality revolution, and is and will continue to redefine the standards of competitiveness performance. It will continue to have an enormous impact on the minimal ability to even participate in the market.  

To get the most from implementing and adopting advanced technologies, the manufacturer must already have optimized management and business systems in place. The FloridaMakes Enterprise Performance Assessment evaluates organizational performance within the context of the company’s strategic orientation to adapt and implement specific technologies into the operation. Strengths and opportunities for improvement derived from the assessment will guide company leadership in refining business processes while assimilating appropriate advanced technologies. This approach provides your company a roadmap for increasing effectiveness, efficiency, and competitiveness while meeting customer needs. Effective use of advanced digital technologies will influence the current and future success of your manufacturing company.