How Accurate Can You Make Your Manufacturing Processes?

Have you ever wondered how accurate you can make your manufacturing processes? If so, you’re not alone. It turns out that there are all sorts of things you can do to boost precision and generally make everything run better. 

But what specifically works? 

AI 

Interestingly, AI is playing a significant role in making manufacturing more accurate. It’s currently having wildly outsized effects on the market, allowing systems to better judge the materials in front of them and be more precise.

What’s more, AI systems are increasingly in control of the systems that actually make the things you want to build. This makes them even more robust and enables micro adjustments that wouldn’t be possible without constant machine oversight. 

Ultimately, AI is all about optimising existing processes and making them work better. Artificial intelligence never gets bored and continues to do what it can to ensure that everything is in the proper position. 

Optimise Material Selection

Related to this last point, it is also possible to make manufacturing more precise by optimising things like materials and how processes are carried out. Some materials allow for more specific machining than others, depending on how they’re constructed. 

Usually, manufacturers aim for accuracies within 0.005 of a millimetre. However, greater levels of accuracy are sometimes possible when you go below that point, perhaps down to as little as 0.002 of a millimetre for some materials. Ultimately, it is up to you how you achieve greater accuracy. Sometimes, this is possible by changing parameters, like temperature and cutting speed, while other times, you’ll want to adjust the inputs you use or swap to better suppliers. 

Change Suppliers

Speaking of which, it can sometimes help to change your suppliers so you’re working with the best in your field. For example, bearing manufacturer LILY Bearing has extensive research on how to create the most accurate metal spheres. Once these are in place, they enable mechanical equipment to operate more efficiently with less friction. 

When speaking to suppliers, talk to them about what they offer and how they can help you. Try to find out what tolerances they allow in their businesses and how these develop. 

Utilize Automation

If you can bring automation into the picture, that can sometimes help you even more. Today’s automation tools are highly advanced and good at increasing precision across a range of tasks, including machining. 

For example, automated systems reduce variability by performing repetitive tasks consistently. They also enhance precision by using various processes, like machine vision, which can tell if something is slightly off. 

Use Metrology Tools

Finally, if you’re dealing with larger objects and you want the accuracy level to be as high as possible, then consider using metrology tools. These provide measurements down to around 0.001 mm, which is more accurate than most traditional machining processes. 

These systems work on the basis of 3D scanners. They can tell you whether your setup is close to your specification in real-time and warn you if there' s a problem.

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