WebProNews

Tag: factory

  • Building the Factory of the Future

    Building the Factory of the Future

    The COVID pandemic, despite its disruptive effects on every aspect of our lives (not to mention all the painful losses we’ve endured since 2020), has caused us to re-examine and rethink how we function in almost every area. From personal interactions, to how we work, how we conduct healthcare procedures, to how we eat and how much we cook, and everything in between; COVID has induced a multitude of changes, and many of them have been for the better. Let’s learn more about building the factory of the future below. 

    One industry that has been greatly affected by COVID is that of manufacturing. Manufacturers saw many issues arise due to the pandemic. They saw supply chain disruptions, delivery delays, increased costs,  rapid changes in demand, and general uncertainty. All of these issues only served to highlight the fact that manufacturing already needed a facelift. 

    Manufacturing Needs an Update

    A pandemic is certainly not the only unexpected event that could affect manufacturing. Other concerns are things like geopolitical unrest, natural disasters, and shipping disruptions. These, and other potential problems, mean that manufacturers must be prepared and have plans in place to keep moving forward, despite these harmful events. 

    Of course, the potential for the unexpected is certainly not the only reason why manufacturing needs to be updated. The manufacturing process itself is in great need of change as manufacturing, production, and distribution is currently responsible for a large portion of the world’s pollution. In fact, altering these processes to “greener” methods could eliminate 45% of global emissions. 

    Not only would updates to manufacturing processes be good for the environment, they would also be beneficial to manufacturers who are feeling the strain of trying to fill orders quickly, maintain product quality, work efficiently, increase flexibility, maintain safety, and improve sustainability, even as they reduce costs and increase production complexity. These manufacturers are under massive pressures which create other sustainability issues from within. 

    Manufacturing With Sustainability in Mind

    Bringing manufacturing up to speed with modern digitalization would increase both sustainability and efficiency. Not only that, but currently manufacturing represents 54% of the world’s energy consumption and 20% of global emissions. Rethinking just 5 areas of manufacturing could reduce emissions by an amount equal to eliminating all forms of modern transportation. With new AI and IoT technologies, these changes are 100% possible. 

    Sustainability in manufacturing is beneficial to all and could be invaluable. For instance, responsible waste management would reduce costs. New ideas behind sustainability drive innovation; green processes ensure early completion of regulatory requirements; and the company image is strengthened by its embrace of environmentally friendly processes. 

    The first step to achieving all of this is through shared data and connected tech. Manufacturing factories of the future must include adaptable technology, scalable production, and a versatile workforce. It also must include smart technologies such as wearable sensors for manufacturing workers, virtual twins to explore products and processes prior to manufacturing, industrial IoT, and cloud software for faster connections across physician and organizational barriers. 

    Through updating manufacturing processes and procedures, manufacturers can not only make a significant positive impact on the environment, but they can also plan for the future and be prepared for the unexpected without missing a beat.

    Learn more about building the factory of the future in the infographic below:

    Factory of the Future
  • Foxconn Cleared to Reopen Zhengzhou Factory

    Foxconn Cleared to Reopen Zhengzhou Factory

    According to Reuters, Foxconn has received clearance from the Chinese government to reopen its factory in Zhengzhou.

    Reuters’ sources said “about 16,000 people, or under 10% of Foxconn’s workforce in Zhengzhou, have returned to the plant” in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The company is also negotiating with authorities for permission to open their other factories as well.

    Foxconn had earlier said it did not foresee any impact to its production as a result of the virus. In spite of the company’s optimism, Reuters’ sources last week warned the government-mandated shutdowns could have a major impact on iPhone production if they went beyond the initial February 10 cutoff.

    The reopening of the Zhengzhou factory is a good sign, and hopefully Foxconn will be able to reopen the rest sooner rather than later.

  • Omaha Explosion Claims the Lives of Two Workers

    An explosion at an Omaha, Neb., factory left two dead and ten hospitalized on Monday morning.

    Thirty-eight staff members were working at the International Nutrition animal-feeding plant when a sudden explosion knocked out the lights in the building.

    Authorities are clueless to what may have caused the incident but reported that witnesses saw the back wall of the building collapse.

    Thirty-eight-year-old Kendrick Houston was working on the main floor when he noticed a tremble from beneath the building’s floor. He reported to the Omaha World-Herald  that the event happened so fast that he and another co-worker immediately reacted and ran for the exit.

    “There was this real loud crackling sound, and the lights went off. I saw a spark, and there was a big ball of flame coming from the southwest corner of the building,” he said.

    According to a Fox News report via the Associated Press, 21-year-old Nate Lewis was working on the first floor when he heard the explosion. He resorted to using his cell phone light to crawl outside to safety. Shaken up by the events, Lewis even made a statement that he believes he won’t be returning back to his job as a production line worker.(image)

    Omaha’s Fire Chief Bernie Kanger asserts that no hazardous chemicals played a part in the blast, but due to safety risks, the wreckage has yet to be removed.

    Kanger also insists that his team are taking their time to sift through the rubble left by the explosion.

    “We haven’t cleared the building yet because of the significant risk to our people,” Kanger told AP.

    Seven injured workers have refused medical treatment while nineteen others have yet to be accounted for.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still investigating the reason behind the explosion.

    Kanger confirms that the death toll may rise in numbers as the fire department and search-and-rescue experts continue their search through the debris.

    Image via Youtube

  • Japan Tainted Food Products on Recall, Consumers Fall ill

    There has been a recent outbreak of food poisoning in Japan, with hundreds of people sickened by contaminated frozen food.

    Food Company Maruha Nichiro recalled frozen products of lasagna and pancakes due to repeated complaints of vomiting and diarrhea.

    After responding to frequent calls from consumers, the products were found tainted with a high level of Malathion, a pesticide used primarily in agriculture.

    According to information provided by the National Pesticide Information Center, the kidney and liver (overall the nervous system) can be affected by the smallest exposure:

    “You could be exposed to malathion if you get it on your skin or breathe it in, or if you use a product and eat, drink, or smoke afterwards without washing your hands…you could also be exposed to residues of malathion if you ate food that had been treated with this pesticide.”

    Aside from stomach issues, the NPIC also reported that the chemical could cause other symptoms such as: headaches, abdominal pain, a shortness of breath, a slowed heart and muscle tremors.

    It is unknown how the packages became contaminated, but a factory in northern Japan’s Gunma region produced the food products.(image)

    An ongoing investigation by detectives has been developing since last month after the company discovered that their products were contaminated with the pesticide. There is slight speculation that the products may have been intentionally infested.

    On Wednesday, Maruha publicly made an apology through a newspaper advertisement displaying photos of the pesticide-products. They also added a warning to not consume the products.

    “The products will have a strong smell and eating them may cause vomiting and stomach pain,” it said in the notice.

    Since December 29, Maruha Nichiro Holdings has recalled nearly 6.4 frozen packages but only 1 million have been retrieved thus far.

    There have been no reported deaths, but complaints about the food scandal may have just shot down consumer confidence in the food industry; especially when it’s related to imported products.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

    Image via Youtube, CCTV News

  • Sneak A Peek Inside An iPhone Factory

    Sneak A Peek Inside An iPhone Factory

    The iPhone is considered by many to be a magical device. It would almost seem like they’re made inside some kind of Willy Wonka-esque factory full of happiness and sunshine. We all know that is not the case as the Foxconn factories have been well-documented in the news. There have been reports of worker abuse and inhumane working conditions. This has led to worker suicides on multiple occasions, but the company has made great strides in the last year to clean its act up.

    M.I.C. Gadget obtained a video of Foxconn CEO Terry Gou and a Chinese reporter taking a tour through the Zhengzhou branch of Foxconn. It’s a fascinating look at the inside of a factory that many people always thought was some kind of internment camp full of human rights abuses. The video clearly shows what looks like a modern factory with everybody working in relative contentment even if it is extremely mundane.

    Unfortunately, the video is in Chinese so don’t expect to really understand what’s going on. Fortunately, The Next Web has translated parts of the video. Apparently, the tour consists of Gou talking about expanding the Foxconn plant in a flyover of a desert area. Then the group hits the plant proper where they show the production of the iPhone 4S and its display. Gou also make the claim that his factory is better than any other factory in other major production countries like Germany and the U.S.

    Even though I can’t really understand the video, it’s a fascinating look inside of the most infamous factories in the world. It looks much different than I expected it to, but I guess that’s to be expected. After hearing all of the horror stories, it only makes one think of terrible things when it comes to Foxconn. Check out the video for yourself to see the birthplace of your iPhone.