DOI : 10.17577/Across all types of business, new technology has continuously been adopted to allow more effective processes to take place. This can be seen in all sectors of modern work, from healthcare to aerospace. For example, in healthcare, the adoption of sophisticated technology such as the MRI scanner has allowed patients to be rapidly assessed for traumatic injuries or to accurately diagnose medical conditions that may not be visible to the human eye. In aerospace, the increasing automation of tasks using advanced technology on the production line allows extremely precise and complex components to be made to high levels of standardization. The engineering sector is also increasingly embracing different forms of technology to allow a greater volume of production to be achieved, whilst working to high levels of quality. In this article, some key examples of the use of technology in various manufacturing processes will be explored in detail.
Welding plastics
Plastics have been used widely across manufacturing and can form the basis for many types of products and components. They were first introduced in 1862, when the first man-made plastic was demonstrated to the public by Alexander Parkes at the Great International Exhibition in London. Their use is vital across manufacturing as the lightweight and durable properties of plastics make them an ideal material to work with in many different areas. However, bonding plastics together was traditionally a difficult and inconsistent process. Thankfully, today, heat guns combined with a PVC welding rod provide a method that allows a strong and durable bond to be created between two thermoplastic surfaces. This relatively simple piece of technology has allowed plastics to be engineered for many different types of products, from componentry in tech and car production to home consumer products. The equipment is relatively simple to use and allows a uniform level of heat to be directed onto a surface, thus ensuring that a consistent and durable bond can be achieved.
3D printing technology
3D printing involves the design of a blueprint or prototype on a computer (often using a CAD program) before sending the design to the printer. The 3D printer can use plastics and metals to build a complex and accurate product by building the design in layers. Today, this technology is helping to revolutionize different engineering processes. Fascinatingly, the technology can even be applied to the construction of homes. Click here to see examples of how 3D printing processes are now being used to engineer homes to a wide range of different designs and scales. The key benefit of 3D printing technology is that it can be a more cost-effective and reliable method of engineering. Less factory space may be needed to create structures and components, which can reduce storage and factory costs. In addition, the design stage of the engineering process can be far less costly and time-consuming. Traditionally, design work would be undertaken by hand by a skilled designer. This would involve producing detailed prototype blueprints, but if any major modifications were needed to the design, this would often involve a complete re-draft of the prototype. CAD software allows designs to be modified without losing the work that has already been approved and testing applications within the CAD system ensure that the design will function as intended.