A few months ago, we were contacted by the CEO of North Pole Manufacturing Inc. Like many manufacturers, a resource shortage threatened to impact his tight production timelines. He needed to ensure the quality and safety of every product made at his shop and wanted better traceability…he also handles deliveries.
So we helped him and his crew adopt our part-over-part, AI-enabled inspection solution. While on-site helping them install thermal cameras and hardware and training them to use our OneView Inspection Software, we had a chance to ask him what manufacturers were asking for this year. With his inside scoop and feedback we’ve received during recent factory installs and demos, we’ve compiled a…
Manufacturers’ Wishlist
WISH #9 – 100% Inline Inspection
To ensure those “invisible” defects don’t become major headaches, factory teams want inline inspections of every part they make. They want inspections that allow them to ensure every product meets their high standards—without slowing them down. They want to know when defects like a cold weld, voids, flash or short shot so they can take immediate action.
WISH #8 – Seamless Solution Integration & Scalability
They don’t want full-scale change. They want technology solutions like inline inspections that “fit” with their existing processes, with no hiccups or headaches. Once they are satisfied with the results of initial installations, they can easily scale them across machines, lines, and factories. For vision-based inspections, bonus points for those solutions that improve a system they already have!
WISH #7 – Real-Time Insights
Factory teams don’t want to react to quality issues. They want to get out in front of them. To do this, they need standardized digital data and inspections on every part they make. Analyzing this consistent data allows them to catch issues before they become problems, saving time, money, and sleepless nights.
WISH #6 – Explainable, AI-Powered Precision
They love the promise of AI – but they need to trust it. They want smart technology that finds defects and explains why the AI flagged an issue or anomaly. Explainability further removes subjectivity often related to quality assessments and gets everyone on the team on the same page. The best way to focus on data and quality is to see data and quality! That’s why our integrated inspection solutions generate records with images from thermal cameras AND data from machines used to make parts and products. Seeing all that data on every part made – that’s where insights and precision come from.
WISH #5 – Improved Efficiency
Teams want solutions that streamline operations, reduce rework, and keep lines running at top speeds. Giving Operators a real-time inspection of every part allows them to determine what needs their immediate attention. Operators can remove parts or pause the process – minimizing the impact on output.
WISH #4 – Actionable Data
Factory teams want intuitive dashboards and easy-to-use analytics to make smarter decisions, faster. They want solutions that empower them to get out in front of problems. Solutions that give teams standardized data AND inspections empower them to solve and resolve issues faster.
Wish #3 – Reliable Support
As manufacturers adopt new technologies, they’re looking for more than just a solution provider—they want a partner. Teams need support with training, interpreting data and troubleshooting challenges. And the peace of mind that comes from knowing support is just a call (or click) away—no matter where they are.
Wish #2 – Remote Management
With labour shortages and the lessons of pandemic challenges still fresh, remote monitoring and management are must-haves. Manufacturers need solutions that offer seamless access to their systems—whether it’s a single factory or an entire network of facilities. Bonus: remote access also makes it easier for partners to deliver that much-needed support!
Wish #1 – Peace of Mind
For resource-strained manufacturers, these life stresses are often compounded on the factory floor, where Quality and Production teams yearn for greater certainty. They want to ensure every part and product meets expectations. They want to catch and solve problems in real-time—not hours or days later during offline inspections. Most of all, they want to sleep at night without worrying about what they can’t see or control.
Making Wishes Come True
With the right partners, technology and solutions, achieving peace of mind (and all these other wishes) is possible. Companies like ours are helping teams stay ahead of surprises, prevent quality issues, and gain the confidence that comes with being proactive rather than reactive.
For now, take a moment for yourself. Relax. Enjoy time with your loved ones this holiday season.
Happy holidays from the team at Eigen!
