Industries
Industrial Products
Industrial products allow companies to do more with less, which means less power, less footprint, and lower costs. Despite the diversity of the industry, the IP challenges are the same. Our multidisciplinary team views intellectual property as a competitive, business and financial asset that must be protected, managed, and enforced to its maximum value.
Industrial product developments and trends include automation, robotics, and digital design. These technologies are changing the way we work and live. They have the ability to enhance the productivity of an organization while reducing costs. This is especially true for businesses that specialize in the manufacturing and distribution of high-tech products.
3D printing
Several key players are exploring the opportunities in adopting additive manufacturing in new product development processes. These technologies offer increased production speed and reduce the risk of introducing errors. They also enable the production of unique products. This is why 3D printing is expected to have an increasing presence in the market.
The growth of the 3D printing industry is being driven by the rising demand for mass personalized products. This allows businesses to develop and produce products tailored to the needs of customers. Additionally, it increases the efficiency of the manufacturing process.
However, it is important to keep in mind the limitations of the production process. It may not be possible to create all types of parts with 3D printing, such as functional prototypes, complex geometries, or lightweight materials.
The market is expanding at a rapid rate, particularly in Asia Pacific, where rapid urbanization and manufacturing upgrades are driving demand for three-dimensional printing. In fact, Asia Pacific is projected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Asia Pacific is also the home to many leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and healthcare equipment. Similarly, the automotive industry is rapidly switching to electric vehicles, and 3D printing is an important component in these processes.
Despite its growing popularity, there is still a lack of standards for the materials used in 3D printing, causing variations in consistency and reproducibility. Nevertheless, manufacturers are making substantial investments to develop these standards.
The 3D printing industry is evolving into a diverse ecosystem with more materials, applications, and industries. It has already become a vital design and prototyping tool. Moreover, it is now being integrated into all stages of the new product development process.
Digital design
Digital design is a huge field, encompassing a wide variety of design skills. The best way to get the most out of a digital design project is to make sure you are familiar with the basics.
There are several facets to the digital design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and development. Each has its own merits.
Prototyping lets you create a low-fidelity version of your digital product, which can be tested before production begins. Wireframing gives you a basic picture of your product architecture. Using this blueprint, your developers can turn it into an actual digital design.
While designing your digital product, be sure to take into account industry standards. Standards make it easier to compare competing items.
If you are looking to hire a digital designer, it’s a good idea to research their portfolio and brand. Invest in a designer who is adept at the plethora of responsibilities associated with a design project.
There are also several free online resources that can help you find a designer who can fulfill your design needs. Look for those who can demonstrate a working knowledge of digital design, as well as those who can recommend a good tech stack.
Using the appropriate tools and technologies is essential to the success of your project. Developing an efficient workflow will allow you to avoid common pitfalls. You’ll want to consider things like customer behavior, accessibility, privacy, and sustainability.
Finally, make sure you have a clear idea of what your problem is before you embark on the project. A good marketing team can help you with that. It’s no secret that a good team is the key to success on any project.
Robots
The robotics industry has been experiencing strong growth over the last two years. Industrial robots have proven their value in a wide range of industries. Some of the most common uses include manufacturing, warehouses, food and beverage, and logistics. They are also being used in mobile applications like construction and agriculture.
Robots are becoming smarter and more energy efficient. This is thanks to advancements in technology. Advanced robotic systems use AI, machine learning, and sensors to carry out various tasks.
Another trend is the rise of customized solutions. Companies are now designing and developing robotic hardware and software to meet specific needs.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a good example of the type of technological innovation that has made it possible to connect robots to the data center. These devices can collect and process real-time data, which can improve efficiency and streamline operations.
A growing number of start-ups are providing robot OS’s that are independent of vendors. These companies are also attempting to make programming easier.
Investing in software that is open-source is another important step towards making robots easier to maintain and integrate. Using an open-source robot system is also a great way to reduce costs.
For the next decade, the robotics market is expected to grow at an exponential rate. As the demand grows, the market will become increasingly fragmented.
Regardless of the future direction of the industry, companies must play a role in the broader technological landscape. Successful companies will focus on providing the most relevant features, at the lowest cost, while maintaining a strong customer-centric approach.
As the robotics industry continues to mature, it will continue to have its share of challenges. In addition to the traditional concerns, new threats are coming to the fore. Cyberattacks and state sanctioned attacks can cause damage and liability issues.
Automation
The automation of industrial products is a trend that is rapidly emerging. It is a technology that allows manufacturing facilities to run more efficiently and effectively. By automating processes, manufacturers can increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve the overall quality of the product.
In recent years, the economy has driven manufacturers to adopt more efficient and effective techniques. With a growing demand for automation, the industrial automation products market is expected to expand during the forecast period.
Despite its growth, the industry faces some challenges. Companies that deliver automation equipment have to balance implementation costs against returns. Manufacturers have to make a plan to maximize the use of their production technologies, while remaining flexible as new developments occur.
For example, a beer company can order equipment using a mobile app. They will then program the system for a specific job. This will allow the company to maintain inventory turns, while avoiding the production of slower-selling lines.
Another benefit of industrial automation is that it increases a manufacturer’s ability to adapt to changing production demands. Through the use of predictive maintenance systems, manufacturers can identify failure patterns in advance, preventing costly malfunctions.
Automation of industrial products also helps improve reliability. By monitoring the performance of various components, companies can detect problems in real time, before they result in a catastrophic failure. Using the most up-to-date automation technologies, a manufacturer can ensure that their facilities remain dependable.
In addition, the increased use of cloud technology has driven the automation of industrial products market. These technologies allow for the flexible and scalable rental of robotics. Instead of purchasing expensive cages, manufacturers can use cobots, which can be programmed quickly and deployed on-demand.
The throwaway culture of the past is coming to an end
In the 1950s, the plastics industry began selling disposable items. Consumers began to throw away the majority of purchases within six months. This prompted the development of the “throw-away” lifestyle.
Until the end of the 20th century, a throwaway culture was not a natural state of affairs. People had to take care of their possessions and they enjoyed wearing expensive clothes.
During the 20th century, globalisation, mass production and transport revolutionized consumer goods. The resulting abundance of products gave rise to a consumer culture. It was a great cost to the wallet and the environment.
To promote a “throw-away” lifestyle, advertisers introduced new, cheaper, and easier-to-remove products. These ads claimed that people would be happier with their disposable products.
Manufacturers of these products also adopted a method of creating products that were not intended to last, known as planned obsolescence. Planned obsolescence is not a cynical plot by manufacturers to get the economy moving, but rather a marketing strategy to sell more products.
Today, the average American produces about 1,600 pounds of waste a year. About 30% of this is packaging.
Fortunately, there is a way to combat this trend. Repair cafes provide an alternative to throwing away goods. By having skilled volunteers and tools to repair goods, it helps to reinforce the value of thrift.
Using recycled goods and other environmentally friendly practices will also help. However, it will require a new set of regulations to make sure that goods are able to be repaired.
As the economy grows, there will be greater need to create and repurchase new products. The throw-away lifestyle will continue to evolve, but this time with a twist.
Companies are being forced to look closely at how they exploit and protect their intellectual capital because of industry convergence and leapfrogging technology. The purchase, sale, and licensing of intellectual assets can help reduce risk, speed time-to-market, and give companies a competitive edge. Protecting intellectual property against infringement is crucial. Leveraging innovation is the key.
Our expertise spans many sectors. A few examples include:
- Machinery for agriculture
- Construction, mining, and other heavy equipment
- Fluid control equipment, pumps and seals
- Equipment for foodservice and retail.
- Lighting and other fixtures
- Containers and packaging
- Rubber and plastic products
We have assembled a multidisciplinary team that includes technical professionals and attorneys with industry and academic experience in areas like chemical engineering, aeronautics, industrial and systems engineering. The team integrates across all IP functions including patent prosecution (the team also includes ex-patent examiners from the United States), licensing and transactional support as well as litigation in all venues and overall IP strategy.