While the current chatbot technology of ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and the other AI platforms that are making news are certainly impressive with their ability to take plain language inputs and reply with intelligent responses (most of the time), forms of AI-like behavior have been around for some time. Consider tools like spell and grammar checkers, social media algorithms that monitor your online activities to serve personalized content, smart appliances and thermostats, security systems, smartphone assistants like Siri or Alexa, formula checkers in Excel, and so on. And while you aren’t having a conversation with these tools, they act as helpers for a range of specific tasks in your professional and personal life. 

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) tools vastly differ in scope and ability from the single or limited-task “smart” devices that have become so ubiquitous. AGI tools are designed to mimic human intelligence in that they can take verbal or written questions addressing a wide range of disciplines and, in most cases, come back with very credible results that are often indistinguishable from a response from a human expert. These tools can be helpful in composing written content, writing computer code, diagnosing medical conditions, solving complex math problems, and much more. The rate of “learning” by these systems is happening at an ever-increasing pace, so much so that we find ourselves wondering, “Where will it end?”

AI’s Place in Manufacturing 

So, how does this play into the world of manufacturing? Our industry has had CNC programmable tools for decades, which can perform repetitive tasks with great accuracy and repeatability. Similarly, ERP systems have been around for just as long, providing management tools for the entire range of accounting and operational aspects of complex manufacturing businesses. It’s safe to say that it would be difficult (if not impossible) to run a manufacturing business without these tools. While AI in the form of AGI tools has not yet made big inroads, it’s not hard to see where they could. Here are some areas that we may see AI take hold in the near future:

For general office: 

• – Automating repetitive clerical tasks like order entry or AR and AP entry
• – Natural language, written or verbal, data retrieval, and complex data analysis studies without the need for manual taskwork

For the shop floor: 

• – Scheduling and downtime management by analyzing shop floor data on a real-time basis and adapting and/or predicting changes
• – More accurate and “smart” visual systems provide manufacturing controls and quality assurance through real-time measurement of data and physical objects

For sales and estimating:

• – Using AI tools to recognize patterns and provide cost calculations based on geometric inputs
• – Scanning and “reading” engineering documents and drawings to extract relevant data, driving estimating and engineering efforts 
• – Analyzing customer patterns to better predict sales and estimate outcomes

And so much more!

The Benefits of AI Adoption

The adoption of AI in manufacturing offers the potential for numerous value-add benefits for all parties.

For manufacturers, AI offers the potential for greater accuracy and improved efficiency. Here at Nu-Way Industries, our more accurate estimating and scheduling allow us to better predict outcomes and leverage this time to perform as many value-added activities as possible, producing greater output and better results for our customers. 

As we look to the future, it’s clear that AI is not just a passing trend but a fundamental shift in how our industry will operate and evolve. We believe that manufacturers that embrace these tools will improve accuracy across all operations, reduce the burden of data entry and repetitive management tasks, and continuously discover new opportunities for efficiency in their operations.

Conversely, manufacturers that fail to adopt AI could risk being left behind as the industry evolves.

Partner with Nu-Way Industries for Forward-Thinking Contract Manufacturing Services

We expect AI to be truly transformative in the manufacturing sector in the next year, decade, and beyond. From improved ERP systems to advanced quality assurance, AI will touch every stage of production.

At Nu-Way, we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with AI. We’re eager to continue to take advantage of creative ways to use AI to support the talented professionals and advanced machinery that make up our team and shop. By continuing to embrace AI, we’re not just improving our own processes – we’re paving the way for a more efficient, accurate, and innovative manufacturing industry as a whole.

Request a quote to experience the benefits of one-stop services powered by Manufacturing 4.0. 

When it comes to choosing a career path, manufacturing might not be the first option that comes to mind for many young students. Often overshadowed by more service industry-based professions, manufacturing is a hidden gem that offers numerous opportunities for mechanically inclined individuals who enjoy working with their hands. 

As an advanced custom metal fabrication company, we at Nu-Way Industries see firsthand how manufacturing can provide a fulfilling and lucrative career. Let’s explore why manufacturing is a worthwhile career path to choose in 2024.

More Than Meets the Eye

Many people go through their daily lives without a second thought about how the products they use are made. From the ordering kiosks at your local McDonald’s to the toasting ovens at your local Subway to the bus shelters located around the city of Chicago, all manufactured products are made by real people. In fact, all of the above products have been made right here at Nu-Way!

In manufacturing, you’re not just assembling parts; you’re building things that go out into the world and make a difference. There’s a unique satisfaction in being able to point to a product and say, “I built that!” This pride of craftsmanship is a powerful motivator and one of the many reasons people love working in this industry.

The Misconceptions of Manufacturing

A common misconception about manufacturing is that it’s a dirty, menial job. While that may have been true in the past, today’s manufacturing environments are quite different. Modern manufacturing facilities are clean, air-conditioned, well-lit, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. From AI and robotics to advanced computer systems, the industry is continually evolving, offering new challenges and opportunities to work smarter, not harder.

People often don’t realize the level of skill and innovation that goes into manufacturing. It’s not about repetitive tasks; it’s about constantly improving processes and finding better, faster, and smarter ways to create products. For those who love to tinker, who have a 3D printer in their bedroom, or who are always looking for the next project, manufacturing offers a career where you can thrive.

A Meritocratic Industry with Endless Opportunities

One of the most appealing aspects of a career in manufacturing is that it’s a true meritocracy. Unlike many other industries where pedigree and connections can play a significant role, manufacturing values skill, knowledge, and drive above all else. If you know what you’re doing, you’re qualified. Your success is limited only by your willingness to learn and take on new challenges.

In manufacturing, you can start at the entry level and work your way up. Many CEOs and senior executives in the industry began their careers on the shop floor, learning the business from the ground up. This hands-on experience is invaluable and provides a solid foundation for career growth. Whether you choose to continue working in the shop, move into middle management, or transition into areas like accounting or purchasing, the possibilities are endless.

The industry is always looking for people who are eager to learn and grow. If you’re not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them, if you can work well with others and enjoy tackling new challenges, manufacturing could be the perfect fit for you. The sky’s the limit in this field, and you are the only thing holding yourself back from achieving great success.

The Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders

If you’re a young person looking to start your career or make a career change, or if you know someone who is, consider manufacturing! Rather than taking on tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, young people can enter the workforce and immediately develop valuable skills and the potential for a lucrative career. The path to success in manufacturing is paved with opportunities for those who are willing to learn, grow, and take pride in their work.

Our Industry Commitment

At Nu-Way Industries, we are committed to developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders. As a premier contract manufacturer based in Elk Grove Village, IL., our mission is to combine our team’s talents with advanced technology to produce world-class products. We are a one-stop shop for our customers, offering custom metal fabrication, powder coating services, complex electromechanical assembly, and more in-house at our state-of-the-art facility. 

Manufacturing offers a dynamic, rewarding, and often overlooked career path. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a tangible impact and continually challenge yourself to improve, consider exploring the world of manufacturing. It just might be the perfect fit for you.

Check out our website to learn more about Nu-Way Industries.

We’re proud to announce that Nu-Way Industries will be moving to a brand new facility in Q4 of this year! Our new location will be in Elk Grove Village, just a few miles west of where we are now in Des Plaines, IL.

Anyone who has moved to a new home or found a new building for their business can attest that moving is a formidable undertaking. However, we are thrilled to embark on this journey because it gives us an opportunity to do something we haven’t been able to do since moving into our current building more than 20 years ago:

Start from a blank canvas, and design the layout to optimize for efficiency and Lean flow.

Intentionality and Ingenuity in Design

At Nu-Way Industries, we have deep expertise in designing new products. In fact, we regularly work with our customers to optimize their designs for manufacturability through our New Product Development services. It should come as no surprise, then, that we have applied the same rigorous approach to designing our new plant.

The layout of the new plant is engineered to optimize the flow of parts through the shop floor. Work cells are physically organized according to the order in which a typical part would visit them. Material arrives at the rear of the building, flows through forming operations and secondary operations, and is then sent to the paint line. Once painted, parts are sent to assembly, and finally to the shipping center at the front of the building. The entire process forms a fluid “U” shape, a favorite in Lean manufacturing, from the receiving area to the shipping docks. 

The new building is also substantially taller than our current building. We’ve implemented a vertical storage system to take advantage of the height and free up valuable floor space. In fact, we’ve been able to increase the manufacturing space by 10% even though the footprint of the new building is actually slightly smaller than our current facility. The result is that we’ll be able to store work in process directly adjacent to the next work cell that will operate on it.

While designing our new facility from the ground up is an exciting endeavor, it is not the destination – it is merely the next step in our journey. At Nu-Way, we are constantly innovating to find new and better ways to manufacture products for our customers. In that spirit, we have also designed our new facility with future improvements in mind. Certain aspects of the design will remain fixed going forward, such as the location of the docks and certain large pieces of equipment. But we’ve left room for expansion, especially for new equipment like robots and cobots.

Our Commitment to Exceptional Customer Service

Our primary goal in moving to the new location is to drive ever shorter lead times for our customers. That’s why our new layout is tailor-made to improve flow through the shop, in accordance with Lean manufacturing principles. 

In addition to the reimagining of our manufacturing floor, however, our new layout also includes improvements to our office space. These improvements are designed to foster greater collaboration, from the moment a request for quote is received to the development of a manufacturing plan. Through our emphasis on teamwork, we deliver superior service and innovative solutions to our customers.

If you’d like to learn more about what Nu-Way Industries can do for you, request a quote today. We specialize in complex custom metal fabrication projects involving mechanical and electrical assemblies, and offer consultative product design services to help you bring your product ideas to life.