# Smart Manufacturing Application in Precision Manufacturing
## 1 Introduction
This work sought to address this issue by focusing on its application in a precision manufacturing SME as a case study to catalyze the transformation in this space. Precision manufacturing is a cutting-edge technique that produces precise products by leveraging advanced technology, skilled workers, and specialized machinery to achieve accurate and consistent-quality processes. It differs from general manufacturing methods because it places accuracy and quality above mass production. Machining processes such as milling, turning, drilling, grinding, and laser cutting are examples of precision manufacturing. It involves using cutting-edge equipment (e.g., lathes, mills, grinders, and drills) and cutting-edge tools to accurately shape a part or component to the desired specification. Computer numerical control (CNC) machines are computer-controlled and can be programmed to perform specific operations with extremely tight tolerances and high accuracy that result in exceptional precision, making them ideal for precision manufacturing. Applications of precision manufacturing can be found mainly in the aerospace and defense, medical device, and electronics industries because of the demand for high-performance, reliable components, as well as top-quality, safe, and effective products. Hence, the implementation of smart manufacturing applications within precision manufacturing is important for industry to further improve its efficiency, productivity, and quality. Previous work on different strategies and methodologies for smart manufacturing implementation have been reviewed, and a conceptual approach based on a six-gear roadmap was proposed as a rapid tool for implementing smart manufacturing applications [28]. Case studies have been published that show how such a simple yet practical approach was successfully applied in industry during a collaborative knowledge transfer project between Liverpool John Moores University and Beverton Engineering [29; 30]. This work aimed to demonstrate a real-world practical implementation of a smart manufacturing application in a precision manufacturing SME using a systematic roadmap for adoption while showcasing the business benefits in relation to operational performance, economics, and environmental sustainability impact over a three-year period (before and after smart manufacturing implementation). The application of the conceptual six-gear smart factory roadmap for implementing a smart manufacturing application is demonstrated using technical architecture diagrams and design building blocks to serve as a technical guide for the implementation of smart manufacturing applications in practice using available off-the-shelf technology solutions. This work also serves as a real-world case study that demonstrates actual business benefits and can help manufacturers reduce the barriers to smart manufacturing implementation and accelerate digital transformation and industry 4.0 adoption. It also aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in terms of actual business benefits, practical implementations, challenges, limitations, and potential opportunities. Section 2 describes the methodology adopted for implementing the six-gear smart factory roadmap, focusing on the technical stage's connectivity, integration, and analytics. The old landscape (before smart manufacturing implementation) is outlined together with the new landscape (after smart manufacturing implementation) for each stage in relation to the manufacturing systems used as well as how they are connected, integrated together, supported by their technical design implementation architecture. Section 3 presents the results related to machines' utilization, productivity improvements, cost savings, and emission reductions for the period of three years after smart manufacturing implementation. Section 4 discusses the results and the impact on the manufacturing SME in terms of operational performance, economic benefits, and environmental sustainability. Section 5 draws conclusions.