A manufacturing company gets an enormous contract. Even though the production needs for each month have increased, the facility does not have an increase in area for floor or skilled workers. While adding another shift might temporarily aid, it might be a source of new work in the form of supervision, training, or demands for quality-control.
These circumstances reveal an important motive for the use of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing human beings with machines. If used properly it can alter how producers use the capacity they have.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Check out the Seconds that Change Between Products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be apparent. Suppose an operator spends 15 seconds positioning a component after which another 10 seconds are spent applying material, and then a few seconds moving it to the next step. On a single part, the difference in time is not significant. If repeated thousands of times however the seconds could increase production by a significant amount.
Same goes for waste material. This is also true for the waste material.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. ASA’s needs analysis is intended to uncover bottlenecks and quality issues, waste, and other process constraints that can affect an automation project.
The robot should fit the procedure around it.
The choice of a robot is just one engineering decision. The system could also require tools, guarding, controls, sensors fixtures, conveyors electrical integration, and communication with existing production equipment. Engineers should think about the reach, payload and how the robot is going to move and interact with the surrounding.
ASA offers concept development, system design and offline programming in its approach to robotic automation. Digital simulation allows engineers to examine configurations and estimate the cycle times before the completed system is operating on the customer’s factory floor. This is particularly useful when there are space constraints or when new robotics have to be incorporated into existing production lines.
Painting and Dispensing demonstrates why It’s Important to Repeat
Controlled movement is especially important in certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a protective coating to hundreds of parts. Not just completing components quickly is the ideal outcome. From the moment of starting production to the end, the movement, speed as well as the distance to be applied must be managed.
ASA has experts working on paint and dispensing processes across various industries, including automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotic automation in these environments allows for reproducible movements while limiting exposure of workers to physically demanding procedures or processes that could cause harm.
A better control of waste material can also help improve productivity by increasing the quantity of material consumed.
Even after installation the system requires users
Automation doesn’t substitute for manufacturing expertise. Automation changes the skills needed to operate and maintain the process.
The employees must know how to operate equipment safely and recognize any abnormalities, troubleshoot faults, and conduct the necessary maintenance. The production requirements can also alter, which means that procedures and programs might require modifications later.
ASA provides training on-site for safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides servicing and support to check the condition of equipment and addressing wear throughout the system’s lifetime.
Capacity is more than working faster
For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t mean purchasing an additional building or adding workers to repetitive processes. Sometimes the better question is whether the current manufacturing process can be designed differently.
ASA has been creating and integrating automation solutions since 2002. It assists manufacturers in Australia as well as international projects. Its approach connects needs analysis and engineering with simulation FANUC robot integration training, as well as servicing.
The goal isn’t to automate for its own sake. A system that is worthy of its weight in gold must offer tangible benefits to a manufacturer, such as better production reliability, better quality methods, less risky processes, and less waste.