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2022 has seen unprecedented record-breaking rises in energy prices across the board for both individuals and businesses in the UK, and with those businesses often requiring a higher supply for longer periods the inflicted costs threaten real lasting damage to organisations across the country. From production, to simply keeping the lights on, business owners have recognised the potential savings in cost and efficiency that adopting industry 4.0 technologies and reducing their carbon footprint can offer, but during times of uncertainty, it can be difficult to adopt new strategies that have the potential to provide critical assistance due to a perceived

Fitfactory are excited to be exhibiting at this years' Smart Factory Expo 2022 on 16th and 17th of November, in Liverpool at the Exhibition Centre. Over the two event days, we will be showcasing our digital solutions that are currently helping more than 400 manufacturing, engineering and treatment houses in the UK get more accurate insights on their factory performance and management: Tricorn: an intuitive Production Control System that manages operations from Quotation to Invoice, enabling you to easily meet quality, cost, efficiency, and delivery targets. AeroDNA: our premium Production Control solution developed specifically for aerospace manufacturing subcontractors, in accordance with AS9100

The rise of cloud manufacturing software, is newer, better? With advancing technologies and government initiatives around Industry 4.0, there is a greater push for use of cloud-based systems. This is true of all industries, but especially in manufacturing. Cloud-based systems can connect people, plant and systems with Internet of Things (IoT). This in-turn can enable lights-out automation, improved communication, and it can facilitate remote working too. The need for robots and machines in the factory to transmit information is generally understood. However, the true benefit comes from moving all systems to be cloud-based. Inclusion of cloud manufacturing software alongside cloud-based hardware accelerates

The challenges and benefits of Aerospace MRP software Last month, we caught up with fitfactory’s Tom Dawes to discuss the challenges facing Aerospace subcontract manufacturers, and how software specifically designed for aerospace companies can help overcome these challenges. What are the fundamental benefits of MRP or ERP systems? An MRP/ERP is a coherent and integrated system that tracks and transacts on manufacturing process information, from placing requests for quotes on suppliers, tracking material through the factory, right through to issuing invoices once the finished product leaves for the customer. By implementing a digital system to manage this process, companies will

Ensuring your assets are effectively calibrated can be the difference between producing consistent products, and completely missing the customer specification. Therefore, it goes without saying that companies spend thousands of pounds every year to ensure their assets are performing optimally. So much so, that the calibration equipment itself can require monitoring. This is where calibration software comes in. Unfortunately, what may seem like an easy solution at first has a couple of options. To start, let’s break down the different types available and what they’re used for: Calibration management software helps you manage the measuring equipment you use to calibrate your

The digital transformation buzz in manufacturing The buzz around Industry 4.0 and digital transformation in manufacturing is becoming incessant. The call for AI, VR, Digital Twins – it can all seem a bit daunting. However, beneath the buzzwords and hype, behind the (what we like to call) ‘Icing technologies’ (that are exciting and shiny but sit on top of an already well designed factory), you get to the real substance of real value these technologies can generate for your business.  In fact, the Manufacturer’s Annual Manufacturing report found that while 73% of manufacturers believe that digital technologies will produce ROI,

Digital calibration management The industry is becoming more digital everyday. Everything from using robots in production, to taking a tablet onto the shopfloor, through to sensors on your machines. And, these tools are driving considerable improvements in manufacturing companies big and small. However, digital calibration management may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking digital. But, there’s significant potential for streamlining processes through adoption of digital calibration systems. And these can improve the overall productivity of quality teams. Previously, our blog discussed the 4 main types of calibration software on the market. And, with the movement towards connected

The Nadcap Audit is an accreditation process has been designed to benefit both company and customer. With over 2,800 accredited Suppliers of Special Processes, being Nadcap approved is a crucial element of working in the industry and supplying into aerospace.  For many companies looking to supply into aerospace, the process of gaining accreditation can be daunting, and even for experienced metal finishers, preparing for your external auditors can be stressful.  To help more companies streamline this process, we’ve worked with our Nadcap approved customers to create an easy-to-follow guide on how to prepare for your Nadcap Audit, including tips and tricks make

What is Industry 4.0? Industry 4.0 is the next revolution in industrialization, or as many are calling it ‘the Fourth Industrial Revolution’, and is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. But what is Industry 4.0? What does it mean? What are the main challenges? And what can it do for your business? Let’s find out.  Building ‘The Smart Factory’ The aim for industry 4.0 is to create ‘smart factories’ that utilise automated computing algorithms to monitor physical processes, and make decentralized decisions. Once these factories have evolved into smart factories they will have the capabilities