Solving Problems in Modern Day Manufacturing

Fractory is an Estonian business, and the country is famous for problem-solving, The Fractory solution is born out of the Estonian experience where, very quickly, after achieving independence in 1991, Estonia became, arguably, the world’s most digitally advanced society, where much of everyday life is automated.

That experience explains Fractory’s engineer founders automating the processes within their own industry, specifically manufacturing procurement, with the aim of saving time and money, solving the endless issues around supply chain management.

In a world teeming with pressing challenges, the mantle often falls upon engineers to devise solutions. The essence of engineering, after all, is problem-solving. Engineers, hopefully, have a natural curiosity about how things function and the potential for their improvement. However, this does not mean engineers are infallible. Despite best intentions, engineers sometimes find themselves devising complex ways to coexist with problems rather than eradicating them.

This discrepancy usually stems from constraints (time and resources) making the option of starting from scratch ,a path often fraught with expenses and difficulties, an unattractive one. Yet, there’s a compelling case for revisiting the drawing board, to reimagine solutions as if for the first time, unshackled by current limitations.

Distinguishing between merely enhancing something and fundamentally solving a problem is crucial. The former might offer temporary relief, yet it’s mostly just postponing the inevitable. A wiser approach might involve questioning how to tackle a problem as if for the first time, unencumbered by existing solutions.

This mindset not only allows for envisioning an ideal solution without constraints but also aids in identifying the requisite steps and smaller problems that need to be tackled. This kind of radical reimagining might pose significant barriers, notably in terms of time and expense, but it paves the way for solutions that are more economical, efficient, and sustainable in the long run.

Fractory emerged out of this philosophy. Created out of a keenly felt frustration with the time-consuming and complex processes involved in parts procurement and supply chain navigation, Fractory is basically rethinking the manufacturing process.

The platform automates the quoting, purchasing, project management, and logistics aspects, liberating engineers from the burdens of traditional methods. Directly uploading CAD files for instant quotes is a simple joy for engineers. It was complicated to build but it now removes the stress of supply network management and brings about efficiencies by matching demand with available capacity. It saves time and energy and optimises engineering resources at a time when the industry faces a critical shortage of talent. Complex, but simple…

The creation of Fractory was not about improving existing systems but redefining them. By developing a platform for instantaneous quoting and ordering, alongside a group of people able to manage design and supply chain issues, Fractory introduced a novel solution to the industry. This approach was not just about imagining a new way but aspiring for the perfect solution, free from the constraints of existing methods.

There’s a broader lesson here: the importance of envisioning not just the world as it is but as it could be, seeking solutions from the ground up and taking on difficult tasks that lead to simplicity itself.

This vision led to breakthroughs like the typewriter, transforming the writing process despite initial challenges. The pen is simple. The typewriter is complex. But it was a crucial invention, an amazing solution. Acknowledging and addressing problems rather than accepting the status quo invites innovation. It requires a willingness to question fundamental assumptions and brave the uncertainties of setting out on a new path. But by embracing that kind of mindset, engineers and innovators can unlock novel solutions to the challenges facing the world today.

While Fractory solves a complex problem, it does so in a simple way, at least on the surface. Its elegant solution provides access to manufacturing processes online, including laser, sheet and tube cutting, metal bending, surface treatment and custom CNC machining. The Fractory cloud manufacturing platform connects engineering companies with the manufacturing market.

The engineering companies might be looking for individual parts or for larger projects of serious complexity. They may want thousands of these pieces or even just a one-off. Fractory’s customers include some of the world’s biggest companies.