The Role of Computers in the Manufacturing Industry

 In today’s manufacturing industry, computers are essential for keeping production efficient, accurate, and competitive. They run automated machinery through Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems, help design and refine products using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, and manage operations through Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Many plants now use sensors and computer vision to check quality in real time, cutting down on waste and ensuring products meet strict standards. Computers also support predictive maintenance by analyzing machine data, which helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and production delays (Brettel et al., 2014).

Computer literacy is now a must-have skill for nearly everyone in manufacturing. Machine operators need to know how to set up and monitor computerized equipment, engineers rely on software for design and testing, and managers use dashboards to track production metrics. Without these skills, employees may struggle to keep up with fast-changing technology or could make costly errors. With more manufacturing systems connected to the internet, there is also a growing need for cybersecurity awareness to protect against threats (Boyes et al., 2018).

Over the next decade, hardware will likely become faster and more energy-efficient, and operating systems will be increasingly optimized for real-time industrial processes. Networking improvements such as 5G will allow machines, suppliers, and logistics systems to communicate almost instantly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a major driver of change, helping to optimize production schedules, predict equipment failures, and even adjust processes automatically when demand shifts. AI-powered inspection systems will become increasingly precise, and generative design tools will aid in creating innovative products that humans may not have considered (Lee et al., 2018). These trends indicate the emergence of “smart factories” that are faster, more adaptable, and better equipped to handle supply chain disruptions.

References

Brettel, M., Friederichsen, N., Keller, M., & Rosenberg, M. (2014). How virtualization, decentralization and network building change the manufacturing landscape: An Industry 4.0 perspective. International Journal of Mechanical, Industrial Science and Engineering, 8(1), 37–44.

Boyes, H., Hallaq, B., Cunningham, J., & Watson, T. (2018). The industrial internet of things (IIoT): An analysis framework. Computers in Industry, 101, 1–12.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tech Topic Connection: Why Network Architecture and Management Are the Real MVPs of IT

  When you think about technology, you probably picture powerful computers, sleek smartphones, or maybe even artificial intelligence. But here’s the thing: none of that works without networks . Behind every TikTok video you stream, every email you send, and every Zoom class you attend, there’s a carefully designed network architecture and a whole lot of network management going on in the background. These two concepts may not always steal the spotlight, but they’re absolutely the backbone of modern IT. How It All Connects to IT Fundamentals At its core, information technology is about moving, storing, and using data. Network architecture is the blueprint —it’s how we decide whether data flows through a client-server model, a peer-to-peer connection, or a massive cloud system. Then there’s network management, which is like the coach keeping everything running smoothly: monitoring traffic, troubleshooting, and making sure things don’t fall apart when everyone logs on at once. Wi...
Read more

A DAY IN MY LIFE

Image
  A Day in My Life   1.      Completed a 1-hour workout (chest, shoulders, triceps) 2.      Morning meeting with Platoon Sergeants 3.      Briefed Command Sergeant Major 4.      Brown bag lunch with junior Soldiers 5.      Conducted Company Training meeting 6.      Completed administrative tasks 7.      Briefed Company Commander 8.      Ran 3 miles 9.      Cooked dinner 10.   Started homework   Today was a productive and structured day filled with both professional and personal responsibilities. My morning began early with a 1-hour workout focused on my chest, shoulders, and triceps. This gave me the energy I needed to move into the workday with momentum. After cleaning up, I conducted a morning meeting with my Platoon Sergeants to discuss the upcoming tasks for th...
Read more

Exploring Programming Through Scratch

  Exploring Programming Through Scratch   Building a program using Scratch was a fun and insightful experience. Using Scratch’s visual drag-and-drop interface, I created a project called Dancing Cat Adventure. The program features the Scratch Cat moving across the screen, changing colors, dancing with costume changes, and playing music. The user can interact with the cat using keyboard inputs like the spacebar and arrow keys. I included over 30 blocks, covering motion, looks, sound, control, and event handling. One key insight I gained was how foundational programming concepts like loops, sequencing, and conditionals can be understood through visual programming. Scratch made it easy to experiment with code without worrying about syntax errors. I quickly saw how small changes in block order could affect the program’s behavior, which is a fundamental aspect of computational thinking. When I compared this experience with the textbook’s Section 10.1 activities on compiled,...
Read more