A manufacturing company wins a big contract. Monthly production requirements increase, but the factory hasn’t suddenly gained more flooring space, skilled workers, or hours in the daytime. A second shift may help in the short term, but it could create new labor and training, supervision, and quality-control regulations.
These circumstances reveal an important motive for the use of robotic automation. Robotics does not only replace people with machines. It’s a tool that can transform the way that manufacturers utilize their existing production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Check out the Seconds that Aren’t able to be found between the products
Inefficient manufacturing isn’t always evident. A worker could spend 15 seconds positioning the component, then 10 seconds applying materials, and a few seconds to move it onto the next stage. In the case of a single piece, the difference is minimal. If repeated thousands of times however the second can add significant production time.
The same is true for scrap material. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material multiplied throughout a production run that is high-volume can become a meaningful expense.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing these tiny repeated losses prior to decide on the best equipment to buy. AAS’s Needs Analysis aims to pinpoint bottlenecks, as well waste, quality issues and other limitations to process that might affect an automation plan.
A Robot has to fit the Process Itself
A robot’s selection is only one option in the engineering process. It could be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls sensors conveyors, fixtures, electrical integration and communication to the production equipment already in place. Engineers must take into consideration reach and payload when determining how the robot is going to move through its workspace and interact with the environment around it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation allows engineers to investigate configurations and estimate durations of the cycle before the system is put into operation at the factory floor of the customer’s. This is particularly useful when space is limited or if new robotics require to be incorporated into the existing lines of production.
Painting and dispensing show why It’s Important to Repeat
Certain manufacturing processes illustrate the importance of controlled movements. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of parts. The goal isn’t just complete each component at a rapid pace. The distance, movement speed, and application need be managed from the beginning of the production line until the final.
ASA is a team of experts working with paint and dispensing application across various industries, including automotive and aeronautics. Industrial robotic automation in these environments allows for reproducible movements while reducing the exposure of workers to physically demanding processes or ones that may cause harm.
Better control may also reduce excessive material consumption, thereby contributing to a reduction in waste and productivity gains.
The System Needs Personnel After Installation
Automation does not completely eliminate the need for expertise in manufacturing. It transforms the knowledge needed to run and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees must be able to safely operate equipment identify abnormal behavior to identify faults, fix them, and conduct the necessary maintenance. The demands for production can shift over time, which means that programs and processes will have to be modified.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company provides servicing and support to check the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear and tear throughout the life of the system.
Capacity refers to more than working faster
For Australian manufacturers, increasing capacity doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing an additional building or increasing the amount of labor required to perform repetitive tasks. Sometimes the better question is whether or not the existing manufacturing process can be designed differently.
ASA has been creating and the integration of automation solutions since 2002, and has been supporting companies in Australia and also projects across the globe. Its approach combines needs analysis along with engineering simulation FANUC integration training, and service.
Automation isn’t the main goal. A system that’s worth the gold it’s worth will be able to provide tangible benefits for the manufacturer, like better production reliability, better quality, safer processes and less waste.