SoloPoint Insights

Optimize Manufacturing Processes to Optimize Energy Consumption

As energy costs continue to rise, it’s becoming vital for companies to find new ways to save energy. While there are several tried and true methods available, such as upgrading machines to more efficient models, taking steps to turn off computers at night to reduce energy consumption and other smaller upgrades that can be made, there is no set way for manufacturing companies to save money.

In order to address this problem, Fraunhofer FIT, a European company, is developing a software solution that is designed to monitor manufacturing processes and develop new answers for saving money on energy costs. In many cases, changes that companies make to become less reliant on traditional energy can save upwards of 10% every year on their overall energy expenses. This is significant, and could have a huge impact on manufacturing companies.

Developing this software hasn’t been easy however, particularly when you consider just how varied different manufacturing industries are. No two companies operate in exactly the same way, which presented a challenge to the software developers.

“It is a real challenge to integrate the plethora of devices involved, coming from many different manufacturers and using diverse communication protocols and interfaces, in a coherent system and to make the massive amounts of data they generate usable in a company’s business IT systems. With our software platform, this can be done,” said the head of Fraunhofer’s FIT Department of User-Centered Computing, Dr. Markus Eisenhauer.

This new software has the potential to revolutionize the way manufacturing companies operate. In addition, it could also have a tremendous impact on the environment. As more manufacturing companies work towards a more sustainable, eco-friendly way of operating, everyone wins. The environment bears a lesser impact and the companies save money, enabling them to hire more people and produce better products. This cycle is definitely a win-win for everyone involved.

These advances also spell success for those involved in manufacturing and engineering. The push towards creating sustainable energy practices is demanding and there is a need for engineering students who specialize in this particular industry. It is expected that the demand for these types of positions will only increase in the years to come.

Do you have a question on the changing face of the engineering industry and how green initiatives will impact it? Ask the experts at SoloPoint today!

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