The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) is comprised of a team of technicians who are committed to working, hands-on, with the manufacturing industry in order to assist in the implementation of tools and techniques to increase efficiency and productivity. The work of IMEC is not only to help companies plan for technological advances, but also to assist with implementation and even evaluation of the tools once implemented.
Digital manufacturing utilizes a centralized computer system to optimize an overall manufacturing process. As manufacturing becomes more automated, digital manufacturing can maximize scheduling, planning, and decision making by analyzing current processes, identifying problems, and providing solutions. Because of the capabilities provided by digital manufacturing, it is now possible to visualize the entire manufacturing process virtually prior to implementation. This allows those involved in the design process the opportunity to see the results prior to any investment of time or money in production, leading to a better prepared, more streamlined approach to manufacturing. Additionally, any changes to current operating systems can be simulated in real time, saving both time and money as issues can be identified within a process, rather than...
