We’ve talked about smart products like smart watches, smart appliances, and even smart homes but what about items that can make your assembly line smart? Introducing smart plastics. Smart plastics technology helps manufacturers stay competitive by monitoring and predicting the wear of cables, belts, and hoses.

Using integrated sensors and software, “standard products, such as cable carriers and plain bearings,” take on “real-time condition monitoring and preventative maintenance capabilities.” Through this monitoring, parameters are pre-established, and the system is alerted if exceeded. The appropriate action is taken before a breakdown or failure, not to mention a catastrophic event.

Another aspect of smart plastics is the ability to use the data gathered by the sensors for predictive maintenance. This can enable manufacturers to build in time for maintenance, and plan for scheduled maintenance; ultimately reducing downtime from unexpected breakdowns before they occur. This also allows for the planned maintenance to occur in off hours, when production is slower.

This technology is considered the most beneficial in the automotive industry due to the numerous conveyor belts and robotic systems used in their production lines. However, any manufacturing setup with similar structures can also benefit from smart plastics technology

Further enhance your supply chain with a mobile barcoding system and cloud-based labeling solution, creating a smarter manufacturing process. Pragmatyxs is your ideal partner for innovative labeling and seamless data collection. With over 25 years of experience, we bring unique expertise and a comprehensive approach to tackling critical business challenges. Our solutions bridge the gap between your supply chain and your WMS or ERP system, ensuring efficiency and accuracy across operations.