There has been a paradigm shift in mass customization

There has been a dramatic shift in society and the economy since the introduction of machine and power tools in the 1760s and large-scale industrial manufacturing.The United States was the world's industrial powerhouse throughout the first 70 years of this century. In 1960, the phrase "Made in Japan" was seen as a prank by many. Those same terms had established themselves as the de facto industrial lingo by the year 1980. Manufacturing in the United States was in a severe downturn in 1985. Poor quality, uninnovative products were offered at a price that was prohibitively high.

Again, the United States leads the world in manufacturing (World Competitiveness Report, 1996).

Customizable mass production:

Since 1985, the industrial revolution has been a major factor in America's rise to the top of the world rankings. The American people's ingenuity is the driving force behind this silent revolution. The United States of America was built on the virtues of individual initiative and creative problem solving. The United States is the world's most innovative country. Any business may be built on a solid foundation of technology and skilled employees. Mass customisation, which is the capacity to create things in amounts as small as one while generating them at mass-production rates, is being ushered in by these new technologies. In the Information Age, the Industrial Age paradigm of mass manufacturing is being replaced by one based on mass customization.

The end result will be a system that allows for simultaneous production. In this case, as soon as the buyer places an order, the product is already being made. There is a near-future scenario in which a consumer may go into a store, take their measurements using a computer, pick the design and kind of material they want for their apparel, and have their purchase ready to ship before they ever leave the store. Now that's a consumer that is actually empowered!

Lasers have been the subject of a number of publications in recent years. Each author includes just those applications that are relevant to their particular area of expertise on their list. However, what EdgeWISE Tools would like to achieve in this post is to encourage you to picture all the numerous ways you may utilize a laser to manufacture a range of items. Let your mind go wild. Don't be afraid to try new things. Those who have a keen eye for the future have the best chance of achieving success beyond their wildest expectations. "Carpe Diem" grab the moment!

Why use a laser?

Roll feed plotters received thermal contact cutting tools in 1985. In the sign business, the "Hot Tip" was the first big-format cutting technology introduced. Most plotter manufacturers have developed their foundations on this method. The cutting hardware has evolved over time, and great progress has been made. We've witnessed a progression of technological advancements that have brought us to this point.

Manufacturing technology that has been around for a long time still relies heavily on contact cutting instruments. In order to maintain quality, cutting tools must be re-sharpened or replaced on a regular basis. Manufacturers have found a new stream of money by selling one or more disposable tools as a result of this outmoded approach. A more cost-effective alternative to contact manufacturing has recently emerged, allowing it to be phased out.

It's time to get rid of contact cutting equipment and replace it with non-contact cutting tools. For mass personalization, laser technology is the next natural step. The Roll Feed Laser's development has been hindered by the expensive expense of laser technology (RFL). In terms of technical advancement, a day is equal to a year. Even while laser technology has lately gotten more economical, it is still not widely used in the industrial industry.

Feeding by Roll

The first roll-fed laser system was developed in 1988. (RFL). More than a new product was created as a result of this investigation. It led to the creation of brand-new manufacturing theories and practices. Lasers are making mass personalization a reality. EdgeWISE Tools refers to this as the "laser manufacturing revolution" because of the convergence of these two developments. The laser manufacturing revolution we're seeing now is larger than anybody could have ever imagined. Markets and industries are yet to be identified in the hundreds or thousands.

Is it possible for you to change?

There will always be some who lack the foresight and intuition to adapt to the shifting currents of time, as history has shown time and time again. As recently as 1986, the thought of large-format, computerized cutting systems being used as the primary instrument of commerce was laughed at. At that time, there was a lot of opposition to change. The majority of plotter manufacturers scoffed at the notion of a low-wattage roll-feed laser system seven years ago and did not see the possibilities for its production. Take a look at the news right now. Since 1990, low-wattage CO2, Nd: YAG, and diode laser systems have seen an explosion in the quantity and variety of applications. The CO2 laser industry has grown at a 60 percent annual rate over the last five years.The advantages of employing a CO2 laser over more conventional production equipment are increasingly being recognized. Low-wattage RFL systems are taking the place of high-priced equipment, including dies, routers, hot knives, and mechanical engravers. Inkjet printers are losing ground to low-wattage lasers used for marking, which are becoming more popular.

Why do you think this is?

What other company allows you to purchase a piece of equipment that can be used to create such a wide range of goods? Plastic, wood, cloth, rubber, and metal may all be used to make products. Almost any design can be cut with this laser since the kerf is so thin and the laser is computer-controlled. A million designs may be cut in the same amount of time as one. When compared to other production equipment, an offset printing machine might cost anything from $50,000 to $500,000. Only one sort of material may be printed with this particular piece of equipment.

Anyone who works in the manufacturing industry knows that particular manufacturing equipment is bought to execute a given job. This includes a silkscreener, a sign maker, or an engraver. It's possible that a machinist is the only one who'll spend money on equipment that can be used to deal with a limited number of various types of materials at once. The machinist's limits are evident in the few designs he is able to create. The diversity of materials and patterns that may be achieved with a roll-fed laser cannot be matched by even the most advanced machinist's tools.

In most cases, it's tough for a startup or a developing company to get the necessary capital equipment. One of the most challenging aspects of starting or expanding a business is coming up with enough money to invest in the company's future. One of the most difficult things to explain to a new business or an existing business looking to reinvest is the need for new capital. When a multipurpose alternative is available, it is not cost-advantageous to purchase a piece of capital equipment built for a single purpose. To develop a unique product, the capital investment is so large that these funds are quickly becoming insufficient. It is a modern trend to employ lasers for industrial purposes.

A method that, if not followed, might cost the company owner market share and eventually his whole market if he is not careful. Most of us have had this happen to us at some point in our lives. Refusal to adapt to the times might lead to the collapse of any well-established business. Using RFL creates a wider range of goods and allows for more creative freedom than any other procedure now known to EdgeWISE Tools. Only with a single piece of equipment can you work with paper, plastic, wood, and pretty much anything else in between. There is now just one remaining difficulty for the owner or operator to solve: how to make the product.

Lasers do not come into contact with or exert force on the material being created, so spoilage is minimized. An increase in production may be achieved by using lasers. Polls show that 95 percent to 99 percent of the time, polls show.In the late 1980s, when I operated a printing company, the best days yielded between 80% and 85%, while the average yield rate was between 75% and 80%. The greater yield rates may be attributed to the absence of interaction with materials. Because lasers automate the process, it is far more dependable than most other approaches. After a process has begun, it is essentially a one-way street.

It's time for a new era!

It's hard to imagine the industrial revolution without widespread customization. The jeans business is an excellent illustration of mass-customization in action. In order to afford a pair of custom-made jeans from a tailor, one must be well-off. Most people can only purchase jeans in sizes that are created to fit the cost of manufacturing, not their body types. " As mass-customization technology becomes more widely accessible, manufacturers must once again provide the American people with a high-quality product. Mass-customized items are becoming more available to customers thanks to the roll-feed laser and denim industries.

As a result of the advent of mass manufacturing, goods were more inexpensive throughout the Industrial Revolution. For this mass production, only one setup was needed to create thousands of pieces. An important factor in determining the break-even threshold is the price of tooling. Customization was sacrificed throughout the industrial revolution in order to keep production costs low. There's a better way now, with more processing power, more user-friendly software, lower laser wattage, and little to no setup time. You may choose to move forward. Investing in roll-feed laser technology may improve the quality of your final product while also saving you money.