Technology is everywhere and it’s quickly creeping into all aspects of our lives. One area that is experiencing tremendous change due to technology is the industry of manufacturing. Technology has transformed this industry in the last decade and has allowed manufacturers to do things that were mere science fiction 20 years ago.

Examples of the technological advances include robots that perform assembly and material handling as well as dangerous or repetitive tasks; remote performance monitoring sensors that can track manufacturing cycles and sense possible maintenance issues; and computerized maintenance managements systems, which help reduce the need for on-site personnel. The accompanying resource describes some of the innovative ways that the manufacturing industry is relying on these advances.