Are you planning to do machinery work? Machines are at the core of the industrial revolution that ushered in a new era in economics and development. In this article, you’ll learn the common uses of industrial machinery along with common types and processes. If you want to be an insider in the industrial machinery world, this article is for you.
Daily Life Examples
Think of all the small-sized machines in your home, from the motor in your blender to the freeze-drying machine. They make life processes such as cooking and washing easier.
Industrial machinery is majorly used for commercial and institutional machine work. For example, a grinder is critical for the food manufacturing industry for reducing food particle sizes, while an injection molding machine produces plastics of various sizes and shapes.
Industry Machinery Market Outlook and Trends
According to a Research and Markets report, a leading research store, the U.S. industrial machinery market was worth $162.9 billion in 2020, representing a 28.8% market share. The same report estimates that the global industrial machinery market will reach $794 billion by 2027.
Top players in the market include the U.S., China, Japan, Europe, and Germany. Therefore, the industrial machinery market is among the most influenced by geopolitics. For example, U.S-China relations have affected the manufacturing industry because the two countries depend on each other for raw materials and technology.
Another trend in the industrial machinery industry is AI and machine learning. The trend is toward complete or partial automation of machines. Some manufacturing and building advancements are direct results of machine learning, for example, through Auto-CAD and digital threads. So, expect to see more industry players utilize the latest software to reduce production time and increase profits.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G will also increase customer experiences, especially in the manufacturing industry, by improving efficacy. Another trend likely to influence efficacy and profits is local-based manufacturing distribution. Instead of over-relying on overseas production, local manufacturing reduces lead time and freight costs.
Most Commonly Used Machine Processes
Although industrial machinery work can perform hundreds of processes, below are four common types used in industries. They’re mainly used in the manufacturing industry.
- Grinding
- Milling
- Turning
- Drilling
Grinding, in machine work, involves removing small amounts of materials from flat and round surfaces. A working piece is mounted on a rotating holding center while an abrasive wheel grinds it. Grinding is used in multiple industries, including pharmacy, chemicals, metallurgy, and construction.
Milling is a machine work process that uses rotating cutters to remove material. It has a movable table for mounting the workpiece. Unlike grinding, the cutting tools in milling remain stationary while the table moves the workpiece. Milling is also used for planning and cutting.
Turning is one of the most common machining processes. It involves rotating the workpiece at high speed while slowly advancing onto the workpiece with a cutting tool. Turning enables the production of cylindrical parts with internal and external features.
Drilling uses a drill bit to make precise cylindrical holes in a solid working material. In many instances, the holes need to be precise to allow the assembly of parts. Machining specialists work at specific drilling speeds for each type of material.
Most Common Types of Machinery in Commercial Set-Ups
If you do machine work, you’ll likely work with one or two machine types. However, there are multiple types of machinery work to match diverse needs in the market. Here are the five most common types.
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- Injecting Molding Machines
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- Computerized Numerical Control Machine (CNC) Tools
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- Laser Cutting Tools
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- 3D Printing Machines
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- Loom Weaving Machines
Injecting molding machines heat the material and inject it into molds with specific shapes. Manufacturers use injecting mold machines to make plastics of all types, including bottles, seats, and bowls. Most of the machines have automatic or semi-automatic control.
CNC machine tools use automatic functions to cut solid materials. They follow computer-programmed sequences to create products with unique sizes and shapes. CNC machine tools have a low margin of errors and can make a diverse array of machine parts.
Laser-cutting tools use laser energy to cut solid material with high precision. They’re expensive and thus limited to large-scale businesses but have a low operating cost. They can produce high precision while reducing waste.
3D printing machines are a new entrant in the market, but they are already revolutionizing machine work. They can make prototypes in a short time. According to Grand View Research, the 3D printing industry is expected to grow by a CAGR of 20.8% in the next eight years.
The cloth you’re wearing was likely made using a loom weaving machine. Loom weaving machines are at the core of the garment industry and weave together fabric through automated processes that can process thousands of fabric yards.
Most Common Uses of Industrial Machinery
Industrial machinery and machine work occupy a critical place in society. If some machines fail even for a day, it could cause destruction, economic loss, and in some cases, threaten human life. Here are the ten most common uses of industrial machinery.
1. Making Various Equipment
One of the leading uses of industrial machinery is making various types of equipment. Industrial machinery is used in backhoes, excavators, automotive, copiers and printers, dental imaging machines, and phone systems. Most industries rely on such machines to hasten processes and even save lives.
Industries exist and vary because of the equipment they use. For example, there’s no printing industry without printing equipment. There’re no heavy equipment rentals without industrial machinery. Industrial machinery work is at the core of most countries’ economies and human life. Think of equipment production as a rollercoaster. Various industrial machinery work makes other machines that support the industrial process. In essence, industrial machinery production is the backbone of production and arguably the most vital in production chains.
2. Creation Processes
Many creation processes, such as manufacturing and metal fabrication, depend on industrial machinery. Although the topic of machines versus humans is still sensitive, machines have some advantages over humans that are hard to negate. For example, they have no limits on hardware such as hearing. They’re consistent, fast, and can be easily automated.
Creation processes start with raw materials and building something new. It would take much longer to make new products using human labor alone. For example, a company that makes paint can produce over 100% more product in a day using a mixer than if the process was completely manual.
3. Agricultural Industries
Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was largely a manual process. However, the advent of machines has revolutionized how agriculture works. Auxiliary companies such as well drilling businesses and product packaging also depend on machines to get the job done. In some sectors, machines are the core source of labor.
Agriculture is expected to reach $208.7 billion by 2027, according to a report by Research and Markets. A huge percentage of this growth is contributed by machines such as harvesters, tractors, grinders, and mowers. The agricultural machine industry is a thriving sector on its own, with innovations leading to more automation, less waste, and less harm to the environment.
4. Commercial Properties
Industrial machinery work has found its way to commercial properties. Some of its uses are irreplaceable in the foreseeable future. For example, consider septic pumping in a commercial property. Without a machine specifically designed to do the pumping, the owner would have difficulty removing waste from the property.
Elevator machines ferry people and goods through multiple floors while industrial boilers supply hot water to rooms. Depending on the kind of commercial activity happening on a property, different commercial properties will use different industrial machinery. A hotel will use commercial washing machines, while an auto shop will have automotive machinery.
5. Welding Tasks
Welding first became a critical machine work service during the entrance of the U.S. to WWI. According to the American Welding Society, welding was essential for shipbuilding and weaponry. Today, industrial welding services are at the core of construction, manufacturing, and metal fabrication. It’s a whole profession with multiple perks for business owners and employees.
Welding is used to make strong joints, for example, during construction. A roof can sag or cave in without strong joints. Welding is also essential for building a diverse array of construction infrastructure. In manufacturing, welding is used to join metal parts, for example, when assembling a vehicle.
6. Construction Industry
The construction industry heavily relies on industrial machinery work to get the property ready for construction, foundation-setting, roofing, and even interior building. For example, a constructor would need ground-leveling heavy machines, tree cutters, excavators, and rollers, all heavy machinery, to level the ground.
Once the foundation is set, the constructor would need fabricated metal and wielded metal parts, which are produced using heavy machinery. Once the building skeleton is up, they’ll also need interior building products services to strengthen and finish the interior. Essentially, the constructors utilize equipment and heavy industrial machinery.
7. Renovation Services
Industrial machinery has become vital to the renovation industry. While most renovations are cosmetic changes that involve minor work on some sections of the house, some renovations require industrial machinery or products made through industrial machinery. For example, consider roofing renovation. Most roofing supplies are made with heavy industrial machinery.
A bathroom remodel might depend on products made through injection molding machines. Similarly, earth movers might require preparing the ground for deck or patio construction. Removing outdated structures and obstacles such as tree stumps will require heavy machinery.
8. Fencing Industry
According to Grandview Research, the U.S. fencing market is estimated at $8.2 billion. Industrial machinery work has revolutionized how fences are made. For example, you need heavy machinery to make wrought iron fences. For every type of metal fence, some machine work, such as fabrication, welding, and drilling, is done using industrial machinery. Even non-metallic fencing materials such as wood and composite go through processes that require industrial machinery.
The installation of fences might also require products of industrial machinery. For example, welding a gate into place or rails. You’ll need a drilling machine to prepare the ground for pole installation.
9. Auto Industry
One of the most industrial machinery-reliant industries in the auto industry. Think about it; most cars are made of steel, plastic, aluminum, and rubber components, all of which require heavy processing. According to Statista, steel is expected to constitute 60% of vehicle parts. The assembling of these parts requires heavy machinery.
For example, the construction and assembly of light truck parts will likely involve CNC machine tools. 3D printing is curving its place in the automotive industry. Even processes such as paint require computerized control machines to determine the right amount of paint.
10. Home Uses
Industrial machinery may seem like a preserve for commercial entities. Yet our homes are filled with products of industrial machinery work and machines. For example, a solar roof is made using heavy industrial machinery. If done manually, it would be so expensive.
Equipment in your house, such as your land mower, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and fridge, has gone through significant industrial processing. In addition, you may often require industrial-grade machinery to solve a problem in your house. For example, industrial drilling machines will help you solve the problem quickly and efficiently if you need to bore whole water.
With such an in-depth guide on industrial machinery work, you’re now an insider. The industrial machinery industry is diverse, deep and heavily invested in. As the world moves towards more automation and less waste, machines will occupy an even more significant role in human development.
If you’re looking to do machine work, you’ll typically work with specific machines. However, some processes, such as grinding, cross over multiple industries, from manufacturing to agriculture. You can specialize in one sector and then increase your skillset and knowledge of machines.