A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. The monthly production needs increase but the company doesn’t have more space and has employees with previous experience or extra hours during the day. While adding another shift might temporarily help, it could also bring new labor, supervision, training and requirements for quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics is not just replacing humans with machines. The right software can change the way manufacturers utilize their capacity to produce.
Check out the Seconds that Aren’t able to be found between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be dramatic. An operator may spend 15 minutes putting the part in place before implementing 10 seconds of materials, and then a couple of seconds moving it onto the next stage. On a single part, the difference is minimal. If repeated thousands of times, the seconds are significant production time.
It’s the same for the waste materials. This is also true of waste materials.
Before deciding on the equipment that they require, businesses looking into robotic automation Australia will benefit from studying these tiny losses. ASA’s needs analysis aims to find bottlenecks and problems with quality, waste and other process limitations that could impact an automation project.
The robot needs to be able to accommodate the procedure around it.
The choice of a robotics system is only one of the decisions in engineering. It is possible to install tooling, protection and controls sensors conveyors, fixtures, electronic integration, and communications with the existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider the robot’s reach and payload, in addition to how it interacts with its environment and how it will move.
ASA’s approach for FANUC robot automation is to use concept development, system design including CAD Simulation, offline Programming. Digital simulation lets engineers explore configurations, estimate cycle times, and to test the system prior to it becoming operational on the customer’s floor. It’s especially useful when there is a small amount of space or the new robotics needs to integrate with an existing production line.
Paint and Dispensing Shows Why Replicability is Important
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlled movements. Imagine applying a coat to hundreds of parts. It’s not just about completing the components quickly is the ideal outcome. From the time of beginning production all the way to the finish all the movements, speed, distance and application must be managed.
ASA has experts who work on dispensing and paint applications across various industries, such as aeronautics and automotive. In these environments industrial robotic automation provides the ability to repeat, programmed, and controlled movements. It also reduces employee exposure to physically challenging or potentially hazardous processes.
The elimination of waste and the improvement of productivity can be accomplished through better management.
Even after the installation the system will still require individuals
Automation doesn’t eliminate the requirement for manufacturing knowledge. The skills required to manage, maintain and run the process change.
Employees need to be able recognize unusual behavior and resolve issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. Processes and programs can be changed later in the event that production requirements change.
ASA offers training on site covering safety, programming troubleshooting, mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company offers servicing and support for checking the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear and tear throughout the life of the system.
Capacity is more than working faster
Increased capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding more employees to routine processes. The best question to ask is whether the current manufacturing process is able to be improved.
ASA has created and integrated automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also assist with projects abroad. The method is based on analysis of needs as well as engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration and training and even servicing.
Automation is not the only goal. A successful system must give manufacturers something tangible in the form of more reliable production and quality, as well as safer methods, less waste or additional capacity from the existing factory.