As part of our commitment to leading edge services, we keep abreast of trends and keep our clients informed of the changing technology and business landscapes. Here is our list for 2023.
Rapid prototyping
The practice of daily prototyping is now feasible. Projects can now proceed in small quick steps, allowing for more evolutionary design approaches rather than infrequent and more revolutionary iterations.
For example, shops/labs with laser systems, 3D printers, and prototype casting solutions allow the ability to prove a particular process or design in days other than weeks.
Key technologies include
laser processes with high resolution and accuracy
3d printing for both polymeric and metallic components
Pcb printers
Start with the concept and prove every significant aspect of your design before you integrate or while you're integrating, and never stop.
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring technology is transforming our buildings, healthcare, retail, agriculture, and manufacturing. We see the adoption rate continuing in 2023/2024 and the push for automated systems.
Motor advances
Lightweight motor advances are driving new innovations in electric bikes, single-passenger EVs, and drones. Most of the driver for this is magnetics neodymium magnets, very high-power magnets that are lightweight and provide a new level of performance on the weight per power curve.
Image source: K&J Magnetics https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=magnet-grade
Advances in Display Technology
It's crazy how fast technology advances. Look for high-brightness large displays for outdoor use under sunlight. Emerging technologies include 8K displays, gallium nitride technology for MicroLED and QoLED displays.
Battery Innovation
We all want faster, smaller, and better. There are many questions but only a few answers. Research in materials, cells, modules, packs, and application integration continues to be strong.
Advanced Networks
Improved speed, security, and reliability of networks and connectivity infrastructure are the precursor to IoT sensors, wearables, smart cities, agriculture, and homes.
Visual Inspection
Automated systems identify any minor issues before they become more significant problems. Automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors drive this market growth. However, lighting continues to be a significant challenge.
Image source: elements.envato.com
Digital Twins
Digital twins are virtual models of a physical product, process, or system that bridge the physical and digital worlds. Today's digital twins use sensors to collect real-time data about a physical item, which is used to create a virtual duplicate of the item. The digital twin can be optimized, manipulated, and analyzed to test different scenarios in a risk-free environment.
Supply chain
Supply will start to catch up with demand in 2023. In addition, the move to daily prototyping in labs may re-write some rules for the supply chain for small-quality products.
We can help
At Fusion, we have done all kinds of projects with these leading edge technologies, lots in the medical area - heart monitoring and breathing capabilities, and activity levels. We have worked on a large number of visual inspection systems, ebikes, and heads up displays.
Thanks to Mike Schultz and Alan Joughin for your help refining this list.
