What Drones Mean for the Future of Manufacturing
A drone is an unmanned aircraft guided via remote control or computer. For many years, drones have been used for military projects, delivering essential supplies and capturing photographs in hard-to-reach places. However, in recent years, these devices have entered the industrial and commercial markets.
The sudden prominence of drones has affected dozens of industries, from construction to delivery to security. In particular, companies focused on manufacturing stand to benefit from the advancement of drone technology.
Here are four ways in which drones can (and will) affect the future of the manufacturing industry.
1. Warehouse Organization
In a traditional warehouse, employees are responsible for filling orders. These employees find, move, shelve, and ship hundreds of products each shift. In the process, mistakes are made. After all, human error is inevitable.
To improve their bottom line and eliminate human error, companies are turning to transport drones. These drones are more reliable – keeping stock organized, reshelving items as needed, and working more quickly than their human counterparts.
2. Supply Chain Management
The average consumer can’t even begin to imagine the amount of effort required to organize the supplies, products, and orders that sift through a manufacturing warehouse on a daily basis.
To streamline the process, companies are using drones to monitor the stock level of certain materials. When supply runs low, a signal is sent to the party responsible for replenishing the stock.
3. Inventory Control
Drones are more adept at recognizing misplaced products and engaging in product counts than human workers, who often become bored or frustrated doing so.
For this reason, drones are useful at managing inventory – flying directly to shelves to scan barcodes and move products. This is far more efficient than having an employee climb ladders or drive a forklift.
4. Smart Factories
As drone technology (and, in fact, all technology) advances, manufacturing facilities become more intelligent and connected. When machinery is connected to the internet and controlled remotely, manufacturing companies improve their efficiency and bottom line.
Logically, drones belong in the manufacturing industry. They can connect to smart computers, allowing industry employees to control them from afar. Because drones must be given directions and maintained, job opportunities remain for human workers interested in the field.
There are other benefits to drone usage in manufacturing. For example, employees will no longer be asked to perform difficult or dangerous tasks, since drones are small and easy-to-maneuver. In addition, drones can inspect and monitor quality, provide views of hard-to-reach areas, and improve efficiency down the line.
The Patriot Group is prepared to pair companies with the aerospace, high-tech, and industrial experts necessary for their next project. Contact our experienced team for more information!
