The pharmaceutical industry is known for having strict regulations and complex processes. That is one of the biggest reasons why many manufacturers are increasingly turning to automation. It allows companies to enhance efficiency, improve quality, and accelerate time-to-market while still adhering to those strict, complex boundaries. By leveraging advanced technologies, pharmaceutical manufacturers can streamline operations, reduce costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Benefits of Automation in Pharmaceuticals
Like all advancements in technology, widespread adoption of automated systems did not come quickly. However, by now there are enough known success stories and case studies to show that it not only works, it is where the biggest opportunity lies for pharmaceutical manufacturers to grow their business.
Automation offers numerous advantages for pharmaceutical companies, including:
Increased Efficiency: Automation significantly reduces reliance on manual labor, eliminate errors, and improve both productivity and turnaround times.
Enhanced Quality: Automated systems ensure consistency in product quality by minimizing human error and maintaining precise control over manufacturing processes.
Reduced Costs: Automation reduces operational costs by optimizing resource utilization, minimizing waste, and improving overall efficiency.
Improved Compliance: Automated systems help pharmaceutical companies meet stringent regulatory requirements by ensuring adherence to quality standards and documentation protocols.
Accelerated Innovation: Automation frees up company staff to focus on more creative and innovative tasks, such as accelerating the development of new drugs and treatments.
Key Automation Opportunities
If you have a business in manufacturing pharmaceutical goods, equipment and products without any automated systems yet, you may not know where to start. There are several areas within the pharmaceutical industry that offer significant opportunities for automation.
Here are five of the biggest areas for opportunity:
Manufacturing Processes: Automation can be applied to various manufacturing tasks, such as tablet pressing, capsule filling, and vial sealing. Robotic systems can perform these tasks with precision and speed, reducing the risk of contamination and improving overall product quality.
Laboratory Automation: Automation can streamline laboratory workflows, from sample preparation to data analysis. Automated systems can handle repetitive tasks, such as pipetting and plate handling, freeing up scientists to focus on more complex research activities.
Supply Chain Management: Automation can optimize supply chain operations by automating tasks like inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping. This can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of materials and products.
Quality Control: Automated inspection systems can perform rigorous quality checks on products throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and identifying potential defects early on.
Data Analysis: Automation can help pharmaceutical companies analyze vast amounts of data generated from manufacturing processes, clinical trials, and market research. Advanced analytics tools can identify trends, patterns, and insights that can inform decision-making and drive innovation.
Overcoming Challenges and Considerations
While automation offers numerous benefits, it is strongly recommended that you do your research to understand not just the benefits, but also the potential pitfalls you may have to deal with by adopting it blindly. It is essential to address potential challenges and considerations.
Here are some of the common challenges and considerations that pharmaceutical manufacturer should consider:
Initial Investment: Implementing automation systems can require significant upfront investment. However, the long-term benefits, such as increased efficiency and reduced costs, justifies the initial investment.
Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating automation systems with existing IT infrastructure can be complex. Careful planning and coordination are necessary to ensure seamless integration and avoid disruptions.
Employee Training: Implementing automation may require employees to acquire new skills and adapt to new workflows. Providing adequate training and support is crucial to ensure a successful transition.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that automation systems comply with relevant regulations is essential. Companies should consult with regulatory experts to understand the requirements and ensure compliance.
The Future of Automation in Pharmaceuticals
As technology continues to advance, the role of automation in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow even more significant. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, have the potential to revolutionize the industry by enabling more sophisticated and intelligent automation solutions.
By embracing automation, pharmaceutical companies can position themselves for long-term success, improve efficiency, enhance quality, and accelerate innovation. By understanding the benefits, challenges, and opportunities, companies can make informed decisions about their automation strategies and reap the rewards of this transformative technology.
The solar industry has witnessed a remarkable transformation, largely driven by advancements in automation technology. From silicon ingot formation to wafer slicing and cell assembly, nearly every stage of solar panel manufacturing relies heavily on automation to achieve the precision, efficiency, and scale required for sustainable energy production.
While automation has significantly streamlined the manufacturing process, there were still areas where human intervention was necessary. Tasks involving delicate handling, such as silicon wafer inspection and installation of large solar arrays, were traditionally performed manually. However, recent breakthroughs in robotics and automation have opened up new possibilities for further efficiency gains.
Advanced Robotics for Precision Handling
Modern robots are now equipped with advanced features such as six-axis articulation, pressure-sensitive grips, and artificial vision systems. These can handle fragile silicon wafers with exceptional care. The robotic operators can perform tasks with greater speed and accuracy than humans, reducing the risk of damage and increasing overall production efficiency.
Automated Quality Control with Vision Systems
Ensuring the quality of solar panels is paramount due to the delicate nature of silicon wafers. Traditionally, visual inspections were conducted manually, which is a time-consuming and error-prone process. Advanced vision systems can now automate these inspections, enabling manufacturers to test more frequently, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.
Mobile Robotics for Outdoor Operations
The installation and maintenance of large-scale solar arrays often involve significant manual labor. Mobile robots can now assist in these tasks, from unloading cargo to performing routine maintenance. This not only speeds up the process but it also creates a safer working environment for human crews and allows them to prioritize more valuable tasks.
Industry 4.0 for Smart Solar Fields
Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming solar fields into intelligent systems. By tracking energy efficiency and implementing automated cleaning schedules, companies can optimize the performance of their solar arrays and reduce water consumption. This adds greater value for their potential customers who are interested in solar technology.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Automated solar manufacturing systems offer numerous benefits, including increased production efficiency, reduced waste, and lower costs. This makes solar energy a more attractive option for consumers who are looking to get more value out of solar energy before they invest in it. It also offers greater sustainability for people who prioritize the environmental impact solar systems can offer above all else.
Investment in R&D
By automating routine tasks, companies can free up resources to invest in research and development. This enables them to explore new technologies and improve the efficiency and sustainability of solar energy systems.
The world is transitioning towards a cleaner energy future. Solar manufacturing automation plays a crucial role in driving innovation, reducing costs, and ensuring a reliable supply of renewable energy. By embracing these technologies, the solar industry can continue to contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous world.
As the solar industry continues to evolve, automation offers a powerful tool for businesses seeking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to a sustainable future. If you’re interested in exploring how automation can benefit your solar manufacturing operations, contact CONVERGIX Automation Solutions today. Our experts can provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Automation is reshaping the future of work. Businesses should be optimistic, and prepared.
In the middle of the last century, the rise of computers and information technology spurred huge economic advances around the world. At the time, many feared that the disruption brought about by computers and their related technologies would lead to a massive displacement of workers—which it did. But this wasn’t a bad thing. As we now know, whole industries and careers exist today that did not exist even a few decades ago, and many of these jobs are the kind of high-skilled labor that pays well and promises long-term stability.
However, many of these same anxieties are now raised about manufacturing automation. These concerns are not unfounded, as automation is certainly reshaping the economy. However, just like the technologies that preceded it, manufacturing automation will lead to a rise in productivity and employment, not the elimination of it.
To understand the state of automation and manufacturing, let’s look at some statistics about factory automation, and the lessons we can draw from them.
The skills gap continues to be a challenge facing workforces, with 40% of workers requiring reskilling of six months or less, and 94% of business leaders expecting employees to learn new skills on the job.
Aging populations mean that automation is necessary to prevent worker shortages.
Industrial automation is reaching a key phase of the technology adoption life cycle.
The adaption of new technologies follows a predictable bell curve. First, there are the innovators, who invent and experiment with new technologies. Once they have found a technology that seems to work, they introduce it to others. Those who take the innovators up on this new technology are the early adaptors. They are the first to recognize the potential of a new way of doing things, and are willing to handle some amount of risk to take advantage of it.
As an idea gains steam and becomes mainstream, the number of adopters goes over the hump of the bell curve. The predicted growth of the industrial automation market over the next five years indicates that the market is currently in this burgeoning area of growth. Companies who fail to automate now will find themselves lagging behind the competition, out of step and struggling to make up ground.
Even with the increased adaption of automation technology, there’s still room for more integrated systems, even in companies that have automated. Early adopters can fall behind if they don’t keep looking for places to integrate new technologies. This indicates that the growing market for industrial automation is likely to continue expanding for years to come.
The major draw for automation is to keep up with increasing production requirements.
While many outside the industry habitually view automation as a way for factories to cut workers, most businesses are adopting automation in order to keep up with a growing demand for more product. The critical need is not to cut workers—who are often needed in high-level tasks to keep the business running—but to expand production capacity in areas where there are widespread worker shortages.
Increasing automation in manufacturing plants has an additional benefit of lowering the cost of goods, which strengthens the purchasing power of consumers across the economy more broadly. This is leading to new opportunities outside manufacturing, enabled by more affordable goods.
Industry automation is creating new opportunities for better jobs — and an increased need for training.
As robots take over high-precision, repetitive tasks from human workers, those workers will need new training to fill shortages in other areas of skilled work. Some of this training can be learned on the job, but other training needs must be met by the society more broadly, including through technical and trade schools, apprenticeship programs like the one we run here at Convergix, and increased awareness for the kinds of jobs that exist for skilled workers in manufacturing.
Overall, these jobs will pay better, promise more benefits, and be more stable for workers than the manufacturing jobs currently being replaced by automation. The faster we can build a workforce capable of handling them, the better we will be.
Automation will make economies more resilient and will lead to better work environments for employees.
Overall, automation is good for workers and economies. Factory automation helped businesses respond more rapidly during the Covid-19 pandemic, as it allowed businesses to keep running even when workers had to stay home. And while automation does displace some workers from traditional manufacturing jobs, it also creates new jobs that are more desirable, and better suited to the tasks that people are capable of doing.
The key takeaway for businesses should be that people are not robots, so we should stop expecting workers to function that way. Instead, manufacturers should be proactive in finding ways in which automation can free human employees from repetitive tasks, and look for areas where they can put their skills to use, where their creativity and good judgment will be properly valued.
As with any disruptive technology, automation brings with it opportunities for growth, as well as a need for businesses and individuals to adopt. Understanding the realities surrounding the adoption of automation is necessary for businesses to prepare themselves strategically for the future.
If you are looking for automated solutions to your manufacturing challenges, contact Convergix today.
We’re excited to announce that CONVERGIX Automation will be exhibiting at Automate 2024 Chicago at the McCormick Place from May 6-9. Come visit our booth #3218 in the south building to meet some of our industry experts and to learn more about the CONVERGIX family.
Automate is a premier event in the world of automation, robotics, vision, motion control, and related technologies. It’s a massive gathering that brings together industry professionals, experts, and enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements, trends, and solutions in automation.
As a tradeshow, it has a rich history that spans several decades. The roots of Automate can be traced back to 1976 when the first Robots Show was established. This show focused on showcasing robotics technology and its applications in various industries. Over the years, the Robots Show evolved and expanded its scope to include other automation technologies like vision and motion control. This reflected the growing convergence of these technologies in modern automation systems.
In 2011, the Robots Show merged with the Vision Show and Motion Control Show to form the first-ever Automate event. This brought together all the key players in the automation industry under one roof. Automate has witnessed remarkable growth in terms of exhibitor participation, attendee numbers, and show floor space. It has become the largest and most comprehensive automation show in North America.
Automate has continuously adapted to the changing needs of the industry by incorporating new technologies and trends. It has expanded its focus to include areas like artificial intelligence, collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and more. It has become a must-attend event for a wide range of professionals, including engineers (automation, robotics, manufacturing, etc), plant and operations managers, business leaders looking to improve efficiency and productivity, systems integrators, end users and researchers.
Why should people attend?
See the latest technology: Automate showcases cutting-edge technologies, products, and solutions from leading automation manufacturers and providers. Attendees get a firsthand look at the newest innovations that can improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in their operations.
Educational Opportunities: The event offers a wide range of educational sessions, workshops, and training programs. Attendees can learn from industry experts, gain valuable insights, and enhance their knowledge in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, motion control, and more.
Networking: Automate provides a platform to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential partners. Attendees can share experiences, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships that can benefit their careers and businesses.
Industry Insights: The event features keynote speakers and thought leaders who share their perspectives on the future of automation and its impact on various industries. Attendees can gain valuable insights into emerging trends and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Problem Solving: Automate is a hub for problem-solvers and innovators. Attendees can find solutions to their specific challenges, discover new approaches to improve their operations, and learn how to leverage automation to achieve their business goals.
Automate is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in automation technology, learn from industry experts, and connect with peers. It’s a place to explore the future of automation and discover how it can transform businesses across various sectors.
CONVERGIX Automation Solutions is proud to have been showcased in a feature article in BOSS Magazine. It covers the history of the company and its business units, and a full scope of what we have to offer interested customers.
Here is a snippet of the profile:
“Launched in 2021 to meet the needs of the $500 billion-plus global automation solutions market, a powerful new player is poised to change the way companies automate processes and systems. In two years, CONVERGIX has established 25 locations in North America, Europe, and Asia, and has assembled a team of roughly 900 experts in automation and integration. They serve a variety of end markets, including food and beverage, life sciences, consumer products, emerging renewable energy solutions, automotive, defense, logistics, and traditional energy companies, to name a few.“
Take an in-depth look into our story and vision to be the world’s best-in-class diversified global industrial automation integration leader. Click here for the full feature article in November issue of Boss Magazine.
