A look at the parallels between cloud computing and manufacturing.
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Written by: Bill King, Chief Scientist at Fast Radius
Cloud computing was a game changer.
By moving to cloud computing, companies that were previously forced to own and operate computing equipment could pass the responsibilities to experts and focus on their own businesses. What was once a clunky, resource-intensive process became streamlined and more accessible. As it spread, cloud computing expanded access to cutting-edge tools that enable easy scaling, flexibility, and unlimited storage.
In manufacturing, we’re still in the “before” stage. While computing advances have transformed industries and changed the way we live our lives, manufacturing has been much slower to change. Now, our industry has a chance to remake itself.
In the decade ahead, cloud manufacturing will spark a revolution on the scale of cloud computing. Currently, manufacturing timelines are full of isolated, disjointed steps. Using a common digital infrastructure, cloud platforms can support every stage of the process, from design through fulfillment. The impact will be widespread, just as cloud computing went on to power a whole new generation of applications, like mobile apps and SaaS models.
Although cloud computing had its skeptics, it’s currently the engine powering our digital world. Now, it’s time to rethink the way we design, make and transport goods. Cloud manufacturing can catalyze the drive toward an industry that’s smarter, faster, and more sustainable.
Understanding the Cloud Model
The parallels between cloud computing and manufacturing touch just about every aspect of user experience, and at every level, manufacturing’s future looks like the trajectory of computing in the last decade. Both cloud computing and manufacturing exist on a foundation of physical infrastructure. For computing, this physical foundation is data centers, while in manufacturing, it is factory or fulfillment sites that have embedded digital infrastructure. Both systems use software to orchestrate operations across physical and digital networks and offer software tools that make it easy for users to access and manage their resources.
Mirroring the shift away from owned on-premises infrastructure in computing, manufacturing is moving to a services-based approach with shared physical resources. This is most apparent with 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, because these processes are highly software-driven. An open secret in manufacturing is that traditional manufacturing types like injection molding and CNC machining are nearly as software-driven and digitally connected as 3D printing. Cloud manufacturing unites these processes with design, factory operations, and fulfillment in one end-to-end software platform.
Together, these services are greater than the sum of their parts. You gain control of—and transparency into—everything that goes into making your part, from design to manufacturing to fulfillment. Processes that were once opaque are now open to review and iteration.
The cloud platform connects disparate pieces so you can see how all of your choices fit together, get access to in-depth expertise and advice, and make smarter decisions. As in cloud computing, you can configure and reconfigure the physical manufacturing assets to do what you need them to do, when you need it. In the cloud era, you aren’t constrained by the capabilities you have on-site. In cloud computing, for instance, you can access more processing power and storage as you need it. Similarly, cloud manufacturing flexes and grows with you, offering capabilities and access to resources that grow and change as your products move through development, production and service.
While most large companies are making investments in manufacturing platforms, cloud manufacturing is easily accessible to companies of all sizes. Anyone with access to a web browser can take advantage of the efficiency, speed and intelligence of the world’s smartest manufacturers through cloud manufacturing.
Expanding Access
Cloud computing innovators understood the business advantage that comes from access to advanced computing technology without requiring a large technology budget to update and maintain IT infrastructure and data storage. The same is true for manufacturing. There is a significant business advantage to being able to access and make use of the latest and best manufacturing technology without having to make internal investments in the equipment, people and infrastructure required to operate those technologies internally. This cost savings allows smaller companies to access new digital tools and the latest manufacturing processes.
At Fast Radius, our customers are often excited about new technology and want to take advantage of it but don’t know where to start. Cloud manufacturing puts manufacturing innovations within reach, with a single entry point into smarter manufacturing. Similar to the way cloud computing revolutionized the way we access and analyze information, our Cloud Manufacturing Platform makes it easy to access production tools, gain visibility into manufacturing processes, and build on past designs.
Manufacturing expertise is valuable and can be hard to obtain. Most companies today expect their suppliers to bring them new ideas and opportunities, drive innovation, and introduce new materials and processes. Cloud platforms make it easy to access expertise and new innovative ideas. Cloud manufacturing offers a single source for this manufacturing guidance, helping you pursue new technology without specialized knowledge in-house. Like cloud computing, cloud manufacturing allows you to offload complex processes to expert teams.
A Cloud-Driven Future
Traditional manufacturing is not keeping up with dramatic shifts in computing, manufacturing technologies, and supply chains all over the world. Cloud manufacturing allows manufacturers to keep pace with these changes. Cloud computing has enabled our on-the-go and remote-work lifestyle. A similar shift in possibilities lies ahead in manufacturing.
Cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities shouldn’t belong only to large companies with big budgets. The cloud democratizes access to the world’s best design, production, and fulfillment technologies. Modern manufacturing means being able to analyze what’s happening, optimize processes for efficiency and sustainability, make better products, spend less money, and go faster. Cloud solutions make all of these goals a reality.