{"id":36251,"date":"2022-11-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=36251"},"modified":"2024-04-07T19:15:19","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T02:15:19","slug":"3-considerations-for-creating-a-digital-factory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/3-considerations-for-creating-a-digital-factory\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Considerations for Creating a Digital Factory\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everybody\u2019s talking about the digital factory<\/a>. But how do you even get started building one? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A digital factory is a factory where everything is digitized<\/a>, collaboration is prioritized, and paper-based processes are eliminated. Whether you\u2019re starting a digital factory from scratch or reconfiguring an existing operation, here are three considerations to take into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"digital-factory\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

1. Start with a plan and design collaboratively <\/h2>\n\n\n

Like any new project or design, you need to create a plan. First, start with a deep analysis of workflows and the correlating station and equipment locations that can maximize productivity. Simulating the movements of people, machines, and materials can help reveal new efficiencies to eliminate bottlenecks and speed time to market.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the plan in place, a manufacturing framework begins to emerge for the design phase. This is a truly collaborative step in the process. Engineers and operators need to help define and plan the physical space. Any stakeholders in the factory should share their insights for optimization. It\u2019s also a prime opportunity to think about how automation can help. <\/p>\n\n\n

Go Fast Campers<\/h4>\n\n\n
\"go-fast-campers-digital-factory\"
A Go Fast Campers 3D model in Fusion 360.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Take Go Fast Campers and how they have embraced automation<\/a> for the design and manufacturing of their innovative truck-top campers as an example. In a few short years, they have grown from a few employees to more than 70 and moved to a larger manufacturing facility where robotics play a central role. One person runs five automated machining cells, and they can change parts in under five minutes.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWithout the robots, we wouldn\u2019t be able to do it,\u201d says Wiley Davis, founder and CEO, Go Fast Campers in a recent Fusion 360 blog article<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019d have so many people standing at machines all day putting parts in and out of machines. These campers would cost twice as much, and it wouldn\u2019t be a viable product at that point.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith Fusion 360 for our production process and CAM, we essentially have the entire robot system modeled in there,\u201d he continues. \u201cWhen we program a new part in Fusion 360, it\u2019s all systematized around a template. You can program a part, and no one has to re-indicate or set up a machine differently. You just program the part machine and the job and run it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

2. Make data the priority <\/h2>\n\n\n

Data is the fundamental backbone of a digital factory. The more data manufacturers have, the more agile they can be. Accessible data on the cloud leads to better organization, which creates a stronger, more resilient company.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a digital factory, the software used is crucial. With Autodesk Fusion 360<\/a> and Autodesk Fusion Operations<\/a>, you\u2019re able to put data to work for you. Shared data between people, processes, and machines provide a symbiotic relationship that spurs better products, faster time to market, more sustainable results, decreased downtime, and increased efficiencies from the top floor to the shop floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Romar Engineering<\/h4>\n\n\n
\"romar-engineering-digital-factory\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Romar Engineering is a leading manufacturer for micro-molding and silicone injection molding projects in Australia. They recently embarked on their own digital transformation<\/a> to streamline and enhance collaboration.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it comes to Fusion 360, it\u2019s the whole concept of the ability to share models, create assemblies in one file, see all the component dependencies, doing all your motion studies, and figuring out interfaces in one place,\u201d says Steve Milanoski, head of advanced manufacturing, Romar Engineering in a recent Fusion 360 blog article<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n

3. Prepare for a culture shift <\/h2>\n\n\n

Change isn\u2019t always easy, especially when it comes down to familiar processes and software. But a digital transformation will enhance everyone\u2019s roles \u2014 not hinder it. It can take some time and convincing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milanoski shared<\/a> more of his experience. \u201cAdoption isn\u2019t a technical problem, it\u2019s a cultural problem,\u201d he says. \u201cGet it in people\u2019s hands and incentivize them to learn it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGive employees the space to learn Fusion 360 themselves,\u201d he continues. \u201cDon\u2019t just drop it in their lap and say, \u2018This is what we\u2019re using.\u2019 Let them be part of the selection process and the pushing process. Have them try to break the software. Challenge them to make Fusion 360 do things that other software can\u2019t.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everybody\u2019s talking about the digital factory. But how do you even get started building one?\u00a0Read on for three considerations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4033,"featured_media":36253,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,482,480],"tags":[52,197,481,143],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-36251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-machining","category-fusion-operations","category-manufacturing","tag-cam","tag-data-management","tag-fusion-operations","tag-manufacturing","dhig-theme--light"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n3 Considerations for Creating a Digital Factory\u00a0 - Fusion Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Everybody\u2019s talking about the digital factory. 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