Sustainable manufacturing digital continuity (SMDC) is the integration of digital technologies into the manufacturing process to improve sustainability and reduce waste, translating into environmental, social, and economic benefits throughout the product lifecycle.
1. Adopt a circular economy approach
Design products for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling by using sustainable materials and processes. Recover and recycle valuable resources, while predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring optimise performance and extend product lifespans, reducing waste.
A powerful engineering data analytics tool like Cornerstone from camLine (an Elisa IndustrIQ company) assists in the design of experiments (DoE) process, reducing experimentation effort by performing digital simulations instead of physical tests, which ultimately minimises waste.
2. Implement a digital supply chain
Leverage supplier and customer quality management systems, RFID, and other digital technologies to track product quality and traceability across the entire supply chain. Enhance transparency, accountability, and collaboration with subcontractors, suppliers, and customers at global sites.
Tools like LineWorks SQM/CQM from camLine help reduce resource wastage in incoming inspections and advise on alternative or second sources in the event of supply chain disruptions, such as geopolitical impacts.
3. Deploy a manufacturing execution system (MES)
A modern MES manages and monitors production in real time—evolving from scheduling and tracking to include quality control, maintenance, recipe management, and digital twin support powered by AI. MES automates processes, reduces waste, and improves quality control, enhancing both sustainability and operational efficiency.
camLine’s LineWorks Suite, backed by over 30 years of implementation experience, offers a flexible, modular MES platform tailored to each manufacturer’s needs.
4. Utilise data analytics
Apply data analytics to uncover insights into energy consumption, production efficiency, equipment performance, and waste reduction. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and share best practices from industry experts rather than reinventing analytics for each use case.
5. Explore AI use cases
- Process optimisation: Use AI to analyse sensor and equipment data, identify patterns and anomalies, and collaborate with engineers to optimise workflows and maintenance before failures occur.
- Quality control: Deploy AI and computer vision to detect defects in real time, classify deviations, and enable immediate corrective actions.
- Predictive maintenance: Forecast equipment failures by analysing sensor logs, scheduling maintenance proactively to avoid unplanned downtime.
- Material selection & optimisation: Analyse material properties, performance, and costs with AI to choose optimal materials, reducing waste and developing single-source risk mitigation plans.
Sustainable Manufacturing Digital Continuity can significantly boost sustainability and operational efficiency, while strengthening competitive advantage. By adopting these five SMDC strategies, manufacturers can optimise operations and achieve their sustainability goals.
